Sonya Barlow

Sonya Barlow is an award-winning BBC presenter, entrepreneur, and author who champions inclusive leadership, networking, and neurodiversity in business. As CEO of the Like Minded Females Network, a careers platform and inclusion consultancy, and host of The Everyday Hustle on BBC Asian Network, she combines broadcasting expertise with entrepreneurial insight. Recognised among Europe's Top 50 Women in Tech and as UK Entrepreneur of the Year, Sonya has delivered keynotes globally and authored Unprepared to Entrepreneur, with her second book, The New Rules of Networking, published by Bloomsbury in 2025. Her sessions equip organisations to build diverse, authentic workplaces whilst empowering individuals to network strategically, lead confidently, and thrive as their whole selves.

When Sonya Barlow founded the Like Minded Females Network, she set out to solve a problem she had experienced firsthand: the absence of genuine support systems for women navigating careers in technology and business. Today, that platform has evolved into a globally recognised inclusion consultancy and careers network, whilst Sonya herself has become one of the most distinctive voices in workplace diversity, networking, and neurodivergent leadership. Her first book, *Unprepared to Entrepreneur*, was runner-up at the Business Book Awards in 2023, and her second, *The New Rules of Networking*, will be published by Bloomsbury in 2025, exploring how human connection and professional relationships are being reshaped in the digital era. As host of *The Everyday Hustle* on BBC Asian Network, which won Best Radio Show at the Asian Media Awards in 2022, and *The Sonya Barlow Show*, where she interviews figures ranging from Princess Lamia of Saudi Arabia to footballer Gilberto Silva, she combines broadcasting reach with entrepreneurial insight.

Sonya's credibility stems from a decade of applied expertise across technology, business, and media. Before building the LMF Network, she spent five years as a senior consultant working in big data, machine learning, AI, and digital transformation across fintech, banking, energy, telecoms, and retail. She has since collaborated with organisations including Lloyds Banking Group, Rolls Royce, HP, Logitech, and LinkedIn, delivering keynotes and leading campaigns across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Recognised among Europe's Top 50 Women in Tech and named UK Entrepreneur of the Year, Sonya has also delivered two TEDx talks and keynoted at the House of Commons. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice for Gender Diversity and writes regularly for publications including *Metro*, *The Telegraph*, and *Hello! Magazine*. Her work as a moderator and event host for London Tech Week, WebSummit, and Amsterdam Fintech Week further demonstrates her ability to facilitate meaningful conversation on complex topics.

Sonya's sessions equip audiences with practical tools to build inclusive cultures, lead authentically, and network strategically in an evolving professional landscape. As a neurodivergent British Pakistani woman living with ADHD, chronic migraines, and mental health conditions, she speaks openly about resilience, difference, and the value of bringing your whole self to work. Her approach demystifies networking, making it accessible and actionable rather than transactional. Whether addressing corporate leadership teams, startup founders, or university students, Sonya helps people understand that connection, curiosity, and courage are skills anyone can develop. She is currently developing an app to support professional women in growing their networks and skills whilst helping organisations retain diverse talent, ensuring her impact extends far beyond the stage.