Kanya King CBE

Kanya King CBE is an internationally recognised entrepreneur and cultural pioneer who founded the MOBO Awards in 1996 to champion music of Black origin. From a single mother at 16 to CEO of a globally respected brand, she transformed urban music from the margins to the mainstream, earning her CBE in 2018 for services to music and culture. Through three decades of leadership, Kanya has established herself as a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion across creative industries, speaking for organisations including HSBC and Morgan Stanley. Her sessions empower audiences to recognise untapped potential, build inclusive cultures, and lead with the determination needed to turn bold vision into lasting impact.

When Kanya King launched the MOBO Awards in 1996 at the age of 27, she created more than a ceremony celebrating music of Black origin. She established a platform that would fundamentally shift how urban music was recognised, valued and championed within British culture and beyond. From its first event through to its landmark 30th anniversary in March 2026, Kanya transformed MOBO into a globally respected brand that elevated artists from the margins to the mainstream, proving that vision combined with unwavering determination could reshape an entire industry. Her journey from single motherhood at 16 to founding CEO stands as testament to the power of identifying opportunity where others saw only gaps.

Kanya's credentials extend far beyond entrepreneurial success. Awarded an MBE in 1999 and a CBE in 2018 for services to music and culture, she has been recognised consistently as one of Britain's most influential figures. The London Evening Standard named her one of London's Most Influential People in 2011, whilst BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour rated her among the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom. She has received numerous honorary doctorates for entrepreneurship and her work across creative industries, including a Doctorate of Music from SOAS, where she was subsequently invited to preside over their 101st graduation ceremony. Her Media Pioneer Award from Music Week's Women In Music Awards in 2016 acknowledged her transformative impact on the industry, whilst her regular inclusion in the Powerlist and Debrett's 500 confirmed her status as a leading voice in business and culture. Through MOBO, Kanya established an organisation that champions diversity, inclusion and recognition across music, arts, fashion, media and wider society.

Audiences who engage with Kanya gain practical insight into building brands that matter, leading with authenticity, and creating lasting cultural change. Her speaking engagements for organisations including HSBC, Morgan Stanley and the Scottish Institute for Enterprise demonstrate her ability to translate creative vision into commercial strategy. She empowers leaders to recognise untapped potential within their teams and markets, showing how inclusive thinking drives innovation and growth. Whether addressing corporate audiences or emerging talent, Kanya delivers actionable frameworks for turning bold ideas into sustainable impact. Her sessions inspire attendees to lead with courage, challenge conventional thinking, and build legacies that extend beyond profit to create meaningful social and cultural value.