Funmi Wiliams

External & internal accomplishments

• HSBC: partnered with NIYO for the first ever HSBCxNIYO Pitch Perfect event to support Black entrepreneurs who often face unique challenges in accessing capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• HSBC: joined forces with 15 other Black heritage women at HSBC to launch EmpowHER in September ’23, a 6 month initiative supporting 80+ Black heritage women to progress their careers through coaching, masterclasses, mentoring and sponsorship.
• HSBC: Created global ethnicity communications framework to drive ethnicity conversations and action at HSBC in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.
• HSBC: As the HSBC UK Embrace ERG Communications and events lead between 2019-2021, I revamped the communications framework for the network resulting in a 207% increase in membership, introduced an annual charity fundraiser event which has raised over £10k for ethnic minority charities since 2020 all resulting in an award win from Investing into Ethnicity for Diversity Network of the Year in 2021.
• HSBC: Created a series of ‘Red Table Talk’ internal panel events with diverse female, trans and non-binary panels across the UK with over 200+ participants and a select number benefitting from onward career support and coaching. Also launched partnership with Hygiene Bank to raise awareness and money to eradicate period poverty in the UK.
• HSBC: Oversaw content build and distribution of activity across UK Distribution frontline teams including communications and events for 8000+ colleagues for BHM ’22 and ‘23.
• HSBC: Founded the first ever HSBC Black History Month awards in 2020, created to recognise ethnic minority talent at HSBC – has since awarded/recognised over 90+ individuals and teams.
• HSBC: Founded ethnicity taskforce to address the lack of representation in Global Communications, leading to a corporate partnership with the Taylor Bennet Foundation and an increase in Black heritage representation in the Group Communications team by 7%. HSBC subsequently launched a mentorship programme in 2021, supporting 50+ ethnic minority graduates to begin careers in Communications. I also mentored an ethnic minority graduate as part of the programme who subsequently gained a place at Deloitte on their Transformation graduate scheme in 2021.
• EXTERNAL: Regular speaker on inclusive leadership and inclusive communications. 2023 speaking opportunities have included the University of Huddersfield Business school, GSK, Adventura and Meet my Future self.