Baroness Floella Benjamin
Baroness Floella Benjamin is scheduled to deliver the featured presentation at the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation’s 3rd National Entrepreneurs’ Summit at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Friday November 16, 2012.
Baroness Benjamin is no stranger to the Caribbean, having been born in Trinidad and later relocating to England. Baroness Benjamin brings a world of insight to the participants of the summit with her experience as an Entrepreneur, acclaimed Actress, Broadcaster, Writer, Independent Producer and Member of The House of the Lords.
She boasts an impeccable track record, which includes heading a successful film and television production company for the last twenty five (25) years. Her broadcasting work has been recognized with a Special Lifetime Achievement BAFTA and an OBE. Her latest children’s programmes are BBC Children’s ‘Bedtime Stories’, ‘Chuggington’, and ‘Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies’. She has also played the character of Professor Rivers in Dr Who spin-off, ‘Sarah Jane Adventures’ and appeared in the film ‘Run Fat Boy Run’.
Her experience straddles both the film and publishing industry. She has written thirty (30) books, the last being a novel ‘Sea of Tears’, which is based in Barbados. Her other books include ‘Coming to England’, ‘The Arms of Britannia’ and ‘My Two Grandads.’
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Baroness Benjamin has served as the Chairman of the Women of the Year Lunch, Chairman of BAFTA-Television, a member of the OFCOM Content Board and a Millennium Commissioner. She was also Chair of Governors of the Isle of Sheppey Academy and a Governor of Dulwich College. She is now President of the Elizabeth ‘R’ Commonwealth Broadcasting Fund, a Governor of the National Film & Television School and is a Vice-President of Barnardo’s – a children’s charity. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and was elevated to the peerage in 2010.
Her volunteerism has also touched many lives. Baroness Benjamin created, ‘Touching Success’, an initiative that aims to mentor and help young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She is an active advocate for the welfare, care and education of children throughout the world, raising funds for children’s charities and leading campaigns to save UK-made children’s television programmes.
According to Programme Manager of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation Inc, Chris Harper, “we are looking forward to Baroness Floella Benjamins’ participation in the National Entrepreneurs’ summit. She brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen our entrepreneurial community.”
