Multi award-winning businesswoman Zoe Bennett BEM is today celebrated as the pioneering founder of the annual Multicultural Business and Community Champion Awards.
Since 2016, Zoe has been at the helm of the high-profile accolades, rewarding unsung heroes from across the UK alongside A-listers who have triumphed over adversity or made a real difference.
Former MBCC winners include Sir Lenny Henry, Annie Lennox, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sir Trevor McDonald, Levi Roots and Alison Hammond.
For Zoe, this is a dream come true. But it’s a dream borne out of agonising grief at the loss of her beloved dad Errol who was brutally murdered just five years before she first brought the awards to public attention. Each year she publicly pays tribute to the man whose memory sparked the birth of the awards.
Zoe’s life was turned upside down when her dad was killed at his holiday villa in Jamaica in December 2011.
Errol Bennett, 59, a leading figure in Preston’s Caribbean community, was spending time at his property in Portland, east Jamaica, when he was attacked, along with his partner, who also suffered horrifying injuries.
Zoe, then aged 33, was supposed to be on holiday with her dad in Jamaica when he was savagely beaten with a machete.
His nephew, Zoe’s cousin Josephas Clifton Bennett, was jailed for 40 years (reduced to 25 years on appeal) for the murder when he was eventually brought to court after a three-and-a-half-year fight for justice by Zoe and her family in Britain.
Errol was a former upholsterer, who moved to Britain from Jamaica in 1967.
Zoe started using her harrowing experiences – she had to identify her dad’s mutilated body and then suffered death threats – to coach people how to fight back from adversity.
Zoe, 49, is a mum of three, and a thriving training company MD, Training Personified, in Birmingham West Midlands. She is an acclaimed international motivational speaker and received a British Empire Medal in 2023 for services to the community
The MBCC awards are an inspiring testament to Errol who’d been a hugely kind dad and community figure.
This year, comedian and TV presenter Judi Love is all set for a brilliant return as host.
The much-loved award-winning Loose Women panellist and podcaster has been confirmed for a second year hosting the inspiring evening on Saturday, November 29 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, National Exhibition Centre.
Judi delighted the audience at the 2024 event hosting alongside soul sensation Omar Lye-Fook. The night saw TV favourite Alison Hammond scoop an Inspirational award as well Levi Roots being recognised for entrepreneurship. Annie Lennox was honoured for her lifetime achievement in humanitarian initiatives.
The MBCC awards were set up to recognise inspirational people nationally, with 15 awards for people from all walks of life at this year’s ceremony.
The evening has become a beacon for legendary UK talent. Previous honourees also include Beverley Knight and Lemar
Founder Zoe Bennett, BEM, Bennett said: “This year is shaping up to be another truly inspiring night and I can’t wait to see Judi’s triumphant return. We are hugely grateful for hers and Omar’s fabulous hosting last year.
“Our mission has always been to focus on unsung heroes who make a difference in both the business and general community. Judi is a brilliant representation of someone who has led an extraordinary, successful career from humble beginnings.
“Our platform gives people who may not otherwise be celebrated a fabulous opportunity to be recognised nationally for the incredible work they do for our country.”