The chief executive of Dr. Martens has been named the Black British Business Person of the Year at the 2026 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards).
Ije Nwokorie, who became chief of Dr. Martens in January last year and is the only black chief executive in the FTSE 250, was awarded in recognition of his role shaping Dr. Martens’ growth strategy.
He is recognised inside Dr. Martens for his strong communication with staff, according to the judges.
Before joining Dr. Martens, Mr Nwokorie spent more than 11 years at Wolff Olins, the marketing giant, before working as a senior director at Apple.
Born in the US but brought up from age six against the backdrop of post-civil-war Nigeria, Mr Nwokorie has described how he and his family went from the lifestyle trappings of 1960s America to a small Nigerian village and a home with no running water.
On winning the award, Mr Nwokorie said: “This recognition means a lot to me. While this award bears my name, it reflects the talent, dedication and generosity of the incredible teammates, mentors and leaders who have shaped me as a person and a professional.
“It is a powerful reminder that there is nothing more important in our leadership journeys than the time we invest to help others thrive.”
Alongside his executive career, he has served as a trustee at Charity: water for nearly a decade and held board roles at cultural and humanitarian organisations including the Institute of International Visual Arts and Malaria No More UK.
He also served as chairman of trustees for the Chineke! Orchestra, a British orchestra championing change and the first in Europe to feature a majority of black and ethnically diverse musicians.
The Black British Business Awards started in 2014 to celebrate the achievements of black people in British business. The Telegraph is the national media partner for the awards.
Mr Nwokorie was presented with the award at an exclusive ceremony sponsored by JPMorgan Chase at London’s Hilton Park Lane hotel.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sophie Chandauka, the executive founder of the awards, said: “You lend the BBBAwards credibility not simply to celebrate excellence, but to ensure the best and brightest from all communities get a fair shot. That commitment has made the BBBAwards the UK’s premium awards programme for black business achievement.”
A spokesman for JPMorgan Chase said: “We couldn’t be prouder to support and celebrate such an outstanding breadth of black British talent.
“Their accomplishments continue to inspire future generations and demonstrate the exceptional value they bring to businesses, communities and the wider UK economy.”