Anne Mensah, the vice president of UK content at Netflix UK, has been named the winner of this year’s IMPACT Award at the 2025 Black British Business Awards.
Ms Mensah, who is responsible for all content filmed by Netflix across the UK and Ireland, joined the streaming giant in 2019.
Since then, the high-flying executive has worked on some of Netflix’s most successful and critically acclaimed shows including Adolescence, The Gentlemen and Baby Reindeer.
Prior to joining Netflix, Ms Mensah worked for over seven years at Sky where she spent the bulk of her time as the broadcaster’s head of drama.
Her position at Netflix has more recently seen her oversee more than $6bn (£4.5bn) worth of investment in the UK’s creative economy.
Ms Mensah grew up in Catford in south-east London before going on to study a degree in American and Commonwealth Arts at the University of Exeter.
On winning the award, Ms Mensah said: “It is a massive honour to be recognised with this award. I believe that there is a power in authenticity – in the stories we tell, the people we champion, and the way we show up in business and in life.
“When we try to lead with honesty and stay true to who we are, we create space for others to do the same and we’re able to put work into the world that truly resonates with people everywhere.”
Anne Mensah, right, receives her award – Alex Maguire
The Black British Business Awards were first started in 2014 to celebrate the achievements of black people in British business. The Telegraph is the national media partner for the awards.
Ms Mensah was presented with the IMPACT Award at a ceremony at the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel, which was attended by over 400 people.
It also saw Kanya King, the founder of the MOBO Awards, win the newly created ICON Award, which has been launched to honour trailblazing black business leaders whose work has shaped industries. Ms King grew up in Kilburn in west London before going on to start the MOBO Awards in 1996.
Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson of S&P Global won the Black British Business Person of the Year award in recognition of the successes she has achieved throughout her decades-long career.
Ms Kunihira-Davidson, who leads S&P’s Tax Solutions business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, supports financial institutions and multinational corporations.
She said: “I am so honoured to be named Black British Business Person of the Year at this year’s BBBAwards.
“It’s amazing to be a part of a rich history of black British business leaders who’ve all achieved such brilliant career heights and elevated others along the way. It’s more important than ever to celebrate the wins, uplift each other and ensure everyone in business can achieve their dreams.”
Sophie Chandauka MBE, the chairman of the Black British Business Awards, said: “At a time when inclusion feels increasingly polarised, the BBBAwards theme of #Elevate reminds us that real progress for all of us comes from rising above the noise and focus on investing in talent, innovation, and the future of British business, together.
“The achievements of this year’s winners show that nurturing brilliance and protecting hard-won gains isn’t just fair, it fuels growth, competitiveness and shared prosperity.”
This year’s winners are as follows:
Black British Business Person of the Year: Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson, Managing Director, EMEA, Head of Tax Solutions at S&P Global
Arts and Media Rising Star: Joelle Owusu-Sekyere, Editorial Director, Penguin Random House
Arts and Media Senior Leader: Ete Davies, Former EMEA EVP, Dentsu Creative
Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader: Alison Burton, Co-Founder, March Muses
Consumer and Luxury Rising Star: Janet Davies, CEO, Ominira Naturals
Entrepreneur Rising Star: Nnaemeka Obodoekwe, CTO, Lenkie Technologies Ltd
Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Rose Hulse, Founder and CEO, ScreenHits TV
Financial Services Rising Star: Ayo Gabriel, Vice President, J.P. Morgan
Financial Services Senior Leader: Shauna Roper, Chief of Staff, Global Procurement, HSBC
Professional Services Rising Star: Mavis Amonoo-Acquah, Barrister, Harcourt Chambers
Professional Services Senior Leader: Landé Belo, Group Legal Director, Employment Counsel, Kantar
STEM Rising Star: Jennifer Dominic, Associate Director of Marketing, MSD UK
STEM Senior Leader: Serufusa Sekidde, Chief of Staff to the CEO, ViiV Healthcare – GSK
