Sonita Alleyne

Sonita Alleyne holds the historic position of Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, making her the first woman and the first Black individual to lead an Oxbridge college. A graduate of Cambridge who studied philosophy, her distinguished career began at Jazz FM before she co-founded Somethin’ Else. Under her guidance, the firm transformed from a modest start-up into a premier multi-platform production house and the largest external supplier to the BBC. Her professional reach extends across the arts and public service, having served as the Chair of the British Board of Film Classification and a member of the BBC Trust for nearly five years. Beyond her media success, she has contributed her expertise to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the London Legacy Development Corporation. Her commitment to social mobility is evidenced by her founding of the Yes Programme, an initiative designed to help students understand how their academic skills apply to the professional world. Her influence in British society was further highlighted when she was named among the most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the United Kingdom on the Powerlist. Organisations book Sonita for her unique perspective on institutional leadership, her track record as a successful entrepreneur, and her profound understanding of how education and representation drive lasting social change. She is an authoritative voice for audiences seeking to navigate the complexities of modern governance and inclusive growth. On stage, Sonita Alleyne is best known for talks on Diversity & Inclusion, Esg & Social Responsibility and Leadership. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Charity & Non-Profit, Education and Media & Broadcasting, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Sonita Alleyne is regularly booked for Business Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Sonita Alleyne travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Sonita Alleyne would approach your audience.