AFBE-UK STRENGTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH KEY APPOINTMENTS

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE (L) and Dr Roy Bitrus (R), co-chairs of AFBE-UK Scotland

Diversity and inclusion organisation AFBE-UK has appointed two new co-chairs.

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison becomes AFBE-UK England’s co-chair alongside national chair, Dr Nike Folayan, while Dr Roy Bitrus becomes AFBE-UK Scotland’s co-chair alongside chair, Dr Ollie Folayan. 

AFBE-UK supports young people, particularly those from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, with career aspirations in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). 

Both appointments have been made to firm up AFBE-UK’s top team and to ensure its work continues to progress across the UK.

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison is a senior systems engineer at multinational rail infrastructure company Siemens Mobility. Awai has worked with AFBE-UK since 2020 and is a STEAM ambassador, who works with its mentorship sub-group to manage and facilitate mentoring relationships for young people with individual members and corporate partners.

Dr Roy Bitrus is an entrepreneur and director of sales at Aberdeen-based geophysical start- up TenzorGEO. Roy, who has been involved with AFBE-UK for 9 years, currently coordinates the AFBE leadership programme. He is an Unlocking Ambition Enterprise fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

To cope with the not-for-profit’s recent growth, the co-chairs will play a pivotal role in coordinating its teams, managing programmes, talent retention, encouraging leadership and liaising with corporate members. Both Awai and Roy will take on their new duties alongside their current roles within their organisations and with AFBE-UK.

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE said: “The story of AFBE-UK has always been about community and not just one individual. Appointing Roy and Awai is a huge milestone in the AFBE-UK journey. I am delighted that we now have more representatives within our leadership to manage the rocketed growth we have experienced in recent years, which is a true credit to our excellent team.

Roy already plays a key role in our operations being in charge of our leadership programme so he was the perfect fit to come on board as co-chair in Scotland.”

Dr Nike Folayan MBE said: “We are thrilled to be strengthening our leadership team with the appointment of Awai and Roy. Having more hands on deck will enable us to continue to grow.

AFBE-UK has gone above and beyond over the years and we are everyday amazed by the number of individuals that our work reaches. Awai is a valued member of our AFBE-UK team and will play a fundamental role in our journey moving forward.”

Dr Roy Bitrus said: “I am truly honoured to become co-chair of AFBE-UK Scotland alongside Ollie. The organisation has continued to grow and create a positive impact in STEAM attraction, retention and now leadership. It is paramount that we continue to develop as we serve our members, partners and the community as we look to the future. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work, I am feeling energised to be taking on this new challenge.”

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison said: “I feel privileged to be taking on my new role as co-chair of AFBE-UK England. The organisation works tirelessly to promote a more diverse and equitable environment across the STEAM industries. I eagerly anticipate this new opportunity and look forward to work alongside Nike.”

AFBE-UK is partnered with 70 corporate organisations to assist them on their diversity and inclusion strategies to make positive change in the workplace. The Mercedes F1 team, the Royal Air Force and BBC Scotland are all members, among others.

AFBE-UK was co-founded in London in 2007 by brother and sister, Ollie and Nike. Its Scotland division was founded in 2011 and is based in Aberdeen. The social enterprise provides mentoring programmes to support young people from under-represented groups.

This includes its schools programme NextGen, where industry leaders and professionals give advice to pupils through engaging events; Transition, where industry leaders help aspiring engineering professionals to enter the job market; and Real Projects, where industry professionals share their knowledge and expertise with students and recent graduates. Scottish events have been held in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

AFBE-UK also runs a Transcend programme, which is a senior leadership course for ethnic minority business professionals. It is designed for individuals with over 10 years’ experience in senior and lead engineering roles in their organisation to progress to high-level management and executive positions.

Dr Ollie Folayan was awarded an MBE in King Charles III first New Year’s Honours list for services to equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering. Dr Nike Folayan was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for services to diversity in engineering. 

AFBE-UK holds an annual gala and awards event to celebrate diversity across the engineering sector. The event will take place in Aberdeen in November.