Author: evasimpson

We are proud to announce that ESPR has been appointed as the official PR team for Since ‘93, one of the UK’s most dynamic record labels, and its co-founder, Riki Bleau. This partnership will see us delivering strategic communications that spotlight both the label’s pioneering work and Riki’s influential leadership within British music.

Since its launch, Since ‘93 has become a powerhouse in the UK music scene building its reputation on an unrivalled ability to discover raw talent, shape unique artist brands, and release music that resonates not only across the UK but around the world. With creativity, innovation and cultural understanding at its heart, Since ‘93 continues to redefine the sound of modern British music.

At the forefront is Riki Bleau, a visionary music executive whose career has shaped the UK music industry for more than two decades. As co-founder of Since ‘93, Riki has played a key role in signing and guiding some of the nation’s most successful artists, including Naughty Boy, Emeli Sandé, and Sam Smith. 

Globally Since 93 played a key role in the rollout of Tyla’s album WWP, with the artist herself surpassing 3.63B streams. The roster continues to grow with dynamic new signings, including Jamaican dancehall star Shenseea and Nigerian hitmaker Shallipopi, whose breakout single Laho has racked up over 130 million streams.

Riki also worked with the “King of Dancehall” Vybz Kartel on his long-awaited return to the UK after 15 years. He engineered an honour and performance at the MOBO Awards, curated a private dinner attended by a who’s who of music, sport, media, and fashion, and supported Team Kartel’s sold-out arena tours across the UK and Europe. 

His achievements have earned him a place on the Powerlist of the UK’s most influential Black Britons and cemented his reputation as a driving force in British music. Riki’s unwavering commitment to empowering talent and championing creativity continues to set new standards across the industry.

Commenting on the partnership, Eva Simpson, founder of ESPR, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with Riki Bleau and the Since ‘93 team. Their influence on music and culture is extraordinary, and we look forward to telling the stories that showcase their impact, vision and creative brilliance.”

Through this collaboration, ESPR will bring its expertise in PR, media relations and cultural storytelling to amplify the voices of Since ‘93 and Riki Bleau, strengthening their impact both in the UK and globally.

ESPR has worked with clients and partners including Tudor Trust, Runnymede Trust, NHS, The Church of England, The Black Equity Organisation and Powerful Media. 

ESPR also champions the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs such as Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere (CEO, Springfield Group).

At ESPR, we continue to lead with strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness, insight and lived experience.

If you’d like to collaborate with us or invite Eva to speak at your event, we’d love to hear from you, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

Written by Grace Akintunde

July has been a productive month for us at ESPR. Our team has been working on projects that reflect the heart of what we do, with a lineup of workshops, training sessions, campaigns, and upcoming engagements, connecting people, amplifying voices, and building strategic communications with purpose.

Here are some of the key achievements from a standout month…

ESPR began the month volunteering as part of the PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) School Outreach Programme at a secondary school in Croydon. ESPR’s founder, Eva Simpson, delivered a powerful PR workshop to a room full of bright and curious Year 8 students. Through interactive sessions and real-world storytelling, the students learned how public relations shapes narratives and influences perception. Feedback from the school revealed that every student walked away with a deeper understanding of PR and a renewed sense of career inspiration.

Soon after, ESPR facilitated a workshop for long-term client Tudor Trust. Following the launch of its new strategy, Change We Seek,  the Tudor Trust is undergoing a period of significant transformation not only in its funding priorities but also in how it communicates its purpose, values, and direction. As a long-established funder, Tudor Trust now places a clear emphasis on supporting communities that work towards racial justice, and are building power, changing systems, and creating deep, long-term change. However, this strategic shift has brought with it the need for a more transparent, more unified communications approach – both internally and externally.

ESPR held a workshop with Tudor Trust to help define its Mission, Vision and Key Messages for use in its communications going forward. 

Midway through the month, ESPR had the opportunity to work with the  Runnymede Trust team in an engaging social media workshop. As a leading race equality think tank in the UK, it was important to offer tailored insights that align with their mission. We explored content strategy, audience engagement, and the power of storytelling in shaping public discourse online.

Also in July, we commenced one of our key projects, the Powerlist Media Campaign. 

The Powerlist and Powerful Media are one of our longstanding clients. This year the Powerlist Celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

This campaign celebrates Black excellence and leadership across various industries, creating space for voices that have shaped and are still shaping Britain’s cultural and business landscapes. We were pleased to secure coverage on BBC Radio and in The Voice Newspaper. We are proud to help bring these powerful stories to the forefront.

July saw England win the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 and our client Eni Aluko took centre stage commentating on the incredible football tournament. In addition to being a pundit on ITV, Eni was also interviewed by Good Morning Britain and Sky News to share her insights and thoughts on the matches. Eni had an incredible opportunity to join the ITN to co-host a special programme of the Lionesses Parade in London. The Daily Mirror’s Darren Lewis and Tom Bryant also invited Eni into his offices for an interview about her life outside punditry which resulted in a double page spread and front page blurb.

As the month wrapped up, ESPR reflected on its participation in SheBoss UK 2025, where Eva Simpson moderated one of the key panel sessions. The event was a powerful gathering spotlighting women in leadership, innovation, and enterprise. It was an honour for ESPR to contribute to this celebration of impact, ownership, and resilience.

It has been a full and rewarding July. Each of these engagements has deepened ESPR’s commitment to strategic communication and community connection. ESPR looks forward to building on this momentum as we head into August, stronger, bolder, and even more intentional.

Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Powerlist Media, Tudor Trust, Runnymede Trust, NHS, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield Group.

ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

Written by Grace Akintunde

SheBoss UK 2025 convened some of the most impactful voices in business, leadership, and media for a dynamic, full-day summit in London on July 31st 2025.. The event at luxury Park Hyatt London River Thames,gathered female entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, and thought leaders to explore themes of wealth creation, ownership, and intentional growth.

The summit opened with a powerful keynote address by Hon. Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General, who highlighted the role of African and diaspora women in shaping global business ecosystems. She was followed by Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, who spoke on inclusive leadership and the future of female-led enterprise in the UK.

Representing Eva Simpson Public Relations (ESPR), Founder Eva Simpson moderated the closing panel titled: “Wealth Unlocked: The Power of Ownership, Investing, and Intentional Growth.” The session tackled real-world strategies around building wealth, protecting creative work, and scaling sustainably.

The panel featured four leading women redefining success on their own terms:

• Valerie Obaze, CEO of R&R Skincare, shared how she created a luxury skincare brand built on African-sourced ingredients and an entirely local supply chain.
  
• Joy Adesanya, CEO of AJ Skylar Ltd, discussed scaling fashion and beauty brands across two continents while maintaining purpose and profit.
  
• Tola Adeogbo, Creative Director of Florian London, spoke about brand identity, product integrity, and navigating the fashion space with intention.
  
• Moss Onyi, filmmaker and creative director, offered insight on monetising content, protecting intellectual property, and building digital assets for long-term value.

Eva’s role as moderator brought sharp focus and meaningful connection to the discussion, reinforcing ESPR’s commitment to impactful storytelling and media representation.

“To hear these women speak about ownership and growth so intentionally was powerful. We need more spaces that amplify these voices and create meaningful exchange,” — Eva Simpson 

She Boss 2025 was more than a summit, it was a statement. And ESPR is proud to be part of that ongoing story: empowering voices, shaping narratives, and helping women step fully into their influence.

Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Buckingham Palace, NHS, Universal Records, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield Group.

ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

Written by Grace Akintunde

Historic Anniversary to Honour Pioneers, Trailblazers and Cultural Icons

London, UK – July 24, 2025 – The countdown is officially underway for the prestigious Powerlist 2026, as it prepares to celebrate its 20th year of honouring the most influential Black people in Britain. Powerful Media will host the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards, at which the Powerlist will be launched, in just three months – on Friday, October 24, 2025. The landmark celebration will take place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

Sir Lewis Hamilton, Edward Enninful OBE, Karen Blackett CBE, and Dame Sharon White are just some of the high-profile names to have been given the coveted title as Powerlist Number One over the years.

The Celebration of Black Excellence Awards, now a staple of the awards calendar, has also featured keynote speeches delivered by former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Theresa May.

Launched by Powerful Media Ltd the Powerlist, this year published in partnership with J.P Morgan and HSBC, with Gold sponsor PwC, was created to celebrate and shine a light on the UK’s most inspirational and influential people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage. Now entering its 20th year, the Powerlist has grown into a vital platform that not only recognises Black excellence across sectors but also helps to reframe narratives, influence perceptions, and empower the next generation of leaders. 

Reflecting on the significance of this year’s anniversary edition, Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media, said: “The 20th anniversary of the Powerlist is a huge milestone. Two decades ago, we set out to change the narrative and to showcase Black excellence. This year’s Powerlist and awards ceremony will be a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve. It will be a night of legacy, leadership, and looking ahead to a future where representation and recognition go hand in hand.”

Over the years, the Powerlist stage has been graced by the likes of former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, campaigner Gina Miller, Olympian Denise Lewis recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 and last year’s number one Powerlistee – CEO of Forterro, Dean Forbes – icons and leaders whose achievements have not only shaped their fields but also the broader cultural and social landscape. These individuals have not only broken barriers but have transformed industries, challenged injustices, and led with vision, courage, and purpose.

Yvonne Eno, a founding director of Powerful Media, said, “The Powerlist is an incredible annual event, where people from all industries come together to celebrate and champion people who are trailblazing and exceptional in their chosen field.”

Speaking about the driving purpose behind the Powerlist, Eboda continued, “We wanted to create something that could act as a counter-narrative to the often-negative portrayal of Black people in the media. The Powerlist is about visibility, recognition, and inspiration.”

Tickets for the Powerlist 2026 Gala and Celebration of Black Excellence Awards are now available through the Powerful Media website. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Powerlist 2026 Gala and Celebration of Black Excellence Awards take place on Friday October 24th, 2025, Grosvenor House, 86-90 Park Lane, London.

Established in 2006 by Powerful Media Ltd, the Powerlist was created to celebrate and shine a light on the UK’s most inspirational and influential people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage. Now celebrating its 20^th anniversary, the Powerlist has grown into a vital platform that not only recognises Black excellence across sectors but also helps to reframe narratives, influence perceptions, and empower the next generation of leaders.

Football pundit, former Lioness, and trailblazer for representation in sport, Eni Aluko is bringing her expertise and insight to ITV’s official broadcast team for the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025.

ITV unveiled Eni as part of its “stellar”  presenting and punditry line-up for the summer’s most anticipated football tournament. A seasoned broadcaster and former England international, Eni offers deep analysis, commentary, and thought-provoking perspectives across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and ITV4.

At ESPR, we are proud to celebrate this exciting milestone in our client Eni’s broadcasting career. She continues to raise the bar not just in sports media, but in leadership, inclusion, and visibility for women, Black professionals, and underrepresented voices in football and beyond.

The UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 kicked  off on Tuesday 2nd July with coverage of Finland vs Iceland and will see ITV broadcast every single match of the tournament live. Viewers can expect expert coverage led by Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal, with Eni joining an elite panel including Karen Carney, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, and Caroline Weir.

After covering the games for ITV Eni will be heading out to Switzerland for the Lionesses’ matches, with UEFA. She’ll then be heading to Morocco for the Women’s AFCON with CAF, the African Football Federation..  

Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “We are proud at ITV to broadcast the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 in what we expect to be a brilliant tournament showcasing the very top footballers in Europe. The women’s game continues to grow from strength to strength, and ITV will be front and centre to provide expert coverage, analysis and thought provoking punditry with our elite broadcasting team.”

Eni said: “Very proud to be back as part of the brilliant ITV team for the Women’s Euros 2025  🙌

“Super excited to be covering the games with ITV, before heading out to Switzerland as an UEFA ambassador for the Lionesses’ matches. Then I’ll be heading to Morocco for the Women’s AFCON with CAF, the African Football Federation.

“I can’t wait for a packed summer of incredible elite women’s football – and I’ll be cheering on the reigning champions, the Lionesses, every step of the way.  Let’s go!”

Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Buckingham Palace, NHS, Universal Records, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield Group.

ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

Written by Grace Akintunde

ESPR is thrilled to have received two  nominations at the PROS Awards 2025, a brilliant celebration of public relations excellence, particularly among Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority professionals, supported by Google. For the second consecutive year, ESPR has been shortlisted among the industry’s top agencies, reaffirming its commitment to bold storytelling, inclusive strategy, and culture-led communication. 

In 2025, ESPR proudly stands out in two major categories:

🏆 Founder of the Year – Eva Simpson (Founder and Director) 

🏆 Agency of the Year – ESPR

These nominations reflect ESPR’s dedication to delivering public relations that drive real-world impact. At the heart of every campaign is a belief that representation matters, whether in media, in messaging, and in the teams who create it. ESPR continues to lead with purpose, prioritising people, culture, and clarity in every strategy.

The agency’s approach was recently highlighted at SXSW London, during the thought-provoking panel “I See Culture: Crafting Legacy Through Cultural Competency.” ESPR’s founder, Eva Simpson, spoke about the importance of cultural competency in modern communication and the value of embracing heritage as an asset rather than a burden. 

The PROS Awards shine a light on agencies shaping the future of PR, and ESPR is proud to be recognised alongside other changemakers driving meaningful narratives across industries.

For ESPR, this recognition is not just a milestone; it’s motivation to keep pushing boundaries, amplifying voices, and crafting stories that matter.

Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Buckingham Palace, NHS, Universal Records, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere, CEO of Springfield Group.

ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

Written by Grace Akintunde

Founder and Director of ESPR, Eva Simpson, took to the stage at the inaugural SXSW London festival earlier this month, speaking on a powerful panel titled “I See Culture: Crafting Legacy Through Cultural Competency.”

The event, held at a packed venue in Shoreditch, East London, brought together creatives and thought leaders from across the UK and beyond. Joined by Eva Omaghomi, the founder of Forster Jones Associates, a culture architect and Community Engagement Advisor to King Charles III, and Irene Agbontaen, the Director of Artist Brand Strategy (Europe) at UTA and also the founder of TTYA London, a fashion brand for tall women, and a respected voice in music and fashion, Eva spoke passionately about her career journey – from breaking barriers in Fleet Street newsrooms to launching award-winning agency ESPR. The session drew a full house, with standing room only, as Eva shared her perspective on why cultural capital is not only important but vital.

Drawing on her 20+ year career – from national newspapers including The Times, thelondonpaper and the Daily Mirror, to founding one of the UK’s leading PR agencies specialising in complex race and inclusion narratives – Eva spoke about how cultural capital should be embraced, not downplayed.

“People often think culture is something that will hold them back,” Eva told the audience. “But our backgrounds, our accents, our ways of seeing the world – they’re our power. They shape how we connect, create and lead.”

Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Buckingham Palace, NHS, Universal Records, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere.

The panel was part of a broader programme of SXSW London sessions focused on innovation, culture and identity. The success of the “I See Culture” panel highlighted the growing appetite for meaningful conversations around race, representation and legacy within media and communications.

ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk

ENDS

Written by Grace Akintunde

Under New Strategy the Charitable Trust Pledges £10 Million to Empower Racial Justice, Support Systemic Change and Champion Shift in Philanthropy

London: April 3rd, 2025 – The Tudor Trust is excited to announce its first group of grant funding following a major transformation of the organisation. 

As part of its new Change We Seek strategy Tudor is focusing on providing larger, but fewer, longer-term grants to organisations and leaders tackling social injustice through a racial injustice lens. In this first round, Tudor will award a total of £10 million to 18 groups across the UK committed to advancing racial justice and driving meaningful systemic change.

This includes 11 “Learning Partners” – organisations that as well as aligning with its Change We Seek strategy are open to collaborating with Tudor on a shared learning journey. These groups will receive a total of £9.3 million in flexible and unrestricted long-term funding, distributed over periods of up to six years. 

In addition, seven groups have been chosen as “Exploration Partners” – smaller organisations which align with Tudor’s new strategy and who are still developing their strategic ambitions. Each will receive a one-time unrestricted grant of £100,000.

Organisations already receiving Tudor grants, with whom the Trust has had the pleasure of collaborating over many years, will continue to be funded until the end of their existing agreements.

Raji Hunjan, CEO of The Tudor Trust, said: “This marks a defining moment for the Tudor Trust with racial justice now embedded as the lens through which we will tackle all forms of injustice. Our transformation is about shifting power and building deeper relationships with our grant partners. By committing £10 million to organisations driving racial justice and systemic change, we are investing in a future shaped by those with lived experience alongside their communities.” 

“To truly live their ambitions, the organisations we are partnering with have been funded in a way that moves us away from a scarcity mindset and instead focuses on what it takes to unlock their full potential and enable them to thrive.”  

Over the past few years, Tudor has undergone a major shift in how it operates. At the heart of the organisation’s reorganisation is its Change We Seek strategy, which envisions a just, equitable world where resources are abundant for all. 

By focusing on fewer, more impactful grants, Tudor fosters deeper collaboration with its partners, empowering them to shape a more just and equitable future.

Its new approach values all assets – including people, culture, and investments, alongside grant-making – to drive systemic change and redistribute power. It believes that achieving justice requires collective action and placing lived experiences at its centre.

It acknowledges philanthropy’s historical role in reinforcing inequity and commits to shifting its philanthropy from holding power over communities to working with them, fostering transformative change. Internally, it champions bravery, collaboration, and integrity. 

As part of its new mission, Tudor has restructured its leadership to bring in a more diverse board and staff, and it is now focused on funding organisations that tackle the root causes of systemic inequity and racial injustice.

Due to the organisation’s recent transformation, this first round of funding was by invitation only.  This has enabled Tudor to test a different grant-making model which shifts power from trustee-led decision making to staff who are closer to the issues on the ground.  The Board continues to have oversight.  As Tudor moves forward, the next round of funding will be based on what Tudor learns from its grantee partners in this first round and so will also be by invitation. 

Grant Recipients:

The 11 Learning Partners, who will share £9.3 million, are:

• Birthrights
• Black Feminist Fund
• Civic Square
• Coffee Afrik CIC
• Friends, Families & Travellers
• Good Ancestor Movement
• Hood Futures Studio CIC
• Project Tallawah
• Rekindle School
• Runnymede Trust
• Ubele Initiative

The seven Exploration Partners, who will each receive £100,000, are:

• Decolonising Economics
• Land In Our Names CIC
• Material Cultures
• People Dem Collective
• Sistren Legal Collective
• Tripod
• Ubuntu Women Shelter

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For further information or media inquiries please contact Eva Simpson or Rona Gibson from ESPR: media@es-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. About Tudor Trust: The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making organisation that has supported voluntary and community organisations across the UK since it was founded in 1955 by Sir Godfrey Mitchell, then owner of George Wimpey Ltd. Originally established as a charitable trust, it was renamed the Tudor Trust in 1979. With assets of £230 million, Tudor committed just under £16 million in grants during the 2023/2024 financial year, and the Trust’s assets are responsibly managed across a diverse range of funds. Tudor has long focused on providing sustained support to smaller, community-led groups that work directly with people at the margins of society. As part of its evolution, Tudor is now placing an increased focus on supporting initiatives that advance racial and social justice.      

2. Raji Hunjan has been in the CEO role since January 2024, overseeing the transformation of Tudor in an interim capacity. As part of the new direction at Tudor, she has now been confirmed as the permanent CEO. Hunjan has previously held leadership positions both in philanthropy as a grant-maker and in the voluntary sector at smaller charities combining direct services and campaigning.

3. Derek Bardowell was appointed to the Board in February 2024. He assumed the role of chair in November 2024 and is now formally leading a new Board. He brings extensive expertise and a profound dedication to community-led philanthropy. Bardowell has previously held trustee roles with organisations including Sir Lewis Hamilton’s charity Mission 44 and the Thirty Percy Foundation. From 2009 to 2019, he managed portfolios distributing over £150 million in grants to support critical causes across 34 countries.  

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