Campari Group publishes Wray & Nephew black entrepreneur ‘powerbook’ list in UK

Campari Group has named the 25 black UK entrepreneurs who have made it onto this year's edition of its 'Wray Forward Powerbook' list.

The line-up of winners, part of the company's rum brand Wray & Nephew's black-owned-business accelerator programme, includes founders from cities including Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, London and St Albans. Campari Group said the list, which is in its fifth year, was created to "celebrate and highlight the incredible achievements of the individuals behind UK Black businesses" as well as to "inspire the next generation".

The 'Wray Forward' programme offers funding, free masterclasses and networking events for black entrepreneurs throughout the UK. The accelerator has supported 2,750 businesses since inception and provided GBP35,000 (US$46,600) in grant funding to black-owned businesses, with a further GBP15,000 set to be awarded this year, according to the brand owner.

"Research commissioned by Wray & Nephew [in August] reveals lack of access to the right support, advice or connections has a strong negative impact on Black entrepreneurs," Campari Group said in a statement. "They often find themselves paying for support they can’t comfortably afford (32%), miss out on funding opportunities (27%), and delay plans to grow their businesses (29%) - issues that Wray Forward tackles by offering funding opportunities, expert-led masterclasses, and networking events."

Wray & Nephew sits alongside its Jamaican peer, Appleton Estate, in the company's rum portfolio.

In its first-half results, reported in July, Campari Group reaffirmed its prediction that total sales will outperform the industry this year, targeting a 3% full-year sales boost after reporting a 2.5% increase in the second quarter of 2026.