Edgar Chibaka won the Black British Business Person of the Year award together with his co-founder Jamal Tahlil in 2021, having grown their security company First Response Group into a business boasting a £60m turnover.
Here he shares the impact of winning on his personal and professional life as well as advice for fellow black entrepreneurs.
Nominations are open for the 11th year of the awards. You can submit yours here.
What did winning the Black British Business Person of the Year award mean to you?
For myself and my co-founder of First Response Group, Jamal Tahlil, it represented the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and staying strong in our beliefs – to treat people and our workforce as equals regardless of race, religion or gender. As African immigrants we faced much discrimination over the years, and it was a real struggle just to secure financial support. In fact, we had to fund our business on a credit card in the early days.
We experienced the same frustrations when we first met, being overlooked for opportunities, like we didn’t matter. I guess we matter now.
How did winning impact you professionally?
Ultimately, I am a business person, and my and my company’s destiny is in the hands of the fantastic management team and staff we have built around us. Winning the award hasn’t changed that, or the ethos by which First Response Group is run, but it has certainly helped to place our business at the top table.
Jamal and I are now being invited to more events as a result, and if we are seen as role models, or exemplars of black British entrepreneurship, and this can only impact us and our company positively.
What advice do you have for aspiring black professionals and entrepreneurs?
First of all, don’t expect an easy ride. Not just because you are black, but because the climate can be very demanding, so it’s important to make sure you self-care and look after your mental health. Have faith in what you believe and don’t let the knockbacks dent your confidence.
We strive to develop leaders from within in our business. We look for the potential in everyone and we encourage personal growth. If you wholeheartedly believe you have an idea that can make a difference, or disrupt the norm, fight for it, but stay true to yourself.
How do you achieve work-life balance?
Everything for me comes back to people, who are without doubt a company’s greatest asset. Our objective is to cultivate a culture of inclusion and happiness where all employees feel part of the team, contribute positively to company development, and share in our successes.
This is crucial to our long-term sustainability as a company and, coupled with our Inclusive Employers Standard accreditation and work with the Living Wage Foundation, critical to ensuring the work-life balance and mental wellbeing of our people. Our culture helps us attract, develop and retain the best talent, ensuring we deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Who as a trailblazer has impacted your career the most?
Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian industrialist founder of Dangote Group – he built his businesses on purpose, solving African challenges and giving to communities.
Who or what drives you every day?
My passion is to make First Response Group the leading multi-service and security provider in the UK. I tell people I’m British, and I contribute to the British economy and the communities in which I live and work.
As a black African immigrant yes, my roots are there, but the fruits are here. And each day I remind myself of this. I am also a devout Christian and pastor in my hometown of Leeds. This is very important to me, that I have a faith, and that I can help my family, and my community live abundant lives.
What’s next for you?
We have bold plans for our business and have instilled a management team to take us to the next level. These past few years, which has seen turnover rise from £25m to £60m and our staff count increase to 2,000, demonstrates we have the right team to succeed.
Personally, I want to see this done with a culture of inclusivity. And, from the top down, to be run by individuals regardless of colour, gender, background or disability. Finally, I hope that young black British people can look at us and say, ‘if Edgar and Jamal can do it, so can I’.
The Telegraph is the national media partner of The Black British Business Awards.