• Cover "The Model Black" Book

    THE MODEL BLACK®

    “A timely exploration of race in the workplace”.

    Financial Times

    Shortlisted for 2023 The Business Book Awards

  • Group of people in meeting

    Making change happen

    We empower leaders, teams and organisations to transform through the power of breakthrough conversations.

  • 'The Model Black Podcast' cover and the Spotify logo.

    THE MODEL BLACK PODCAST

    Join Barbara, alongside global experts to explore open and positive conversations about race and difference in the work. Creating space for inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Transforming organisations one conversation at a time

We aim to improve the change experience of individuals and organisations. We do this by empowering leaders, teams and organisations to transform through the power of breakthrough conversations.

We are experts in people-driven change. Our collaborative, co-design approach is energising and dynamic, underpinned by academic rigour and practical insight.

We work with organisations across multiple industries and markets that recognise change is about people. We’re helping them flourish, one conversation at a time.

If you want to transform your business and harness the energy, potential and entrepreneurship of your teams, we can help.

SERVICES

Through our understanding of the interplay between strategy, leadership and change we support your transformation and energise your teams. We approach this differently combining the power of academic insights, training and dialogue, working with you to identify how the right concepts can be applied to your workplace.

Our bespoke consultancy and training processes are outcome focused and designed to meet your specific needs and focus on the following key areas:

SPEAKING

Fresh perspectives for audiences looking for insights on leading change and diversity, equity and inclusion.

ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE

Improve agility, drive commitment and energise your team towards a shared vision.

COACHING

Discover fresh perspectives and unlock hidden capabilities for greater impact.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Invigorate and equip your leaders with skills, mindset and behaviours to thrive.

CONSULTING

Understand your strategy, engage your people to deliver it and embed long-lasting change.

DEI

Create more impactful conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion.

“The Model Black”: A new paradigm in black leadership

Why do so many black people in the workplace have to navigate power in a way that white people don’t? What causes self-silencing? How can leaders approach conversations about race in a positive way?

Barbara Banda, in conversation with John Higgins at Duke Corporate Education, reveals the thinking that led her to write The Model Black, and unveils insights from her candid research into the experience of black British leaders in organisations. She illustrates why she wants the book to be a starting point for a discussion about ways that people show up at work.

Barbara provides the insights leaders need to have an open and honest dialogue around self-disclosure and what being black – and more importantly a black leader – in the workplace means. It is a must read for both black and white leaders responsible for managing, skilling, reskilling, and hiring talent to improve culture and create a true merit-based workplace.
— Rebecca Henderson CEO Global Businesses and Executive Board Member, Randstad