As the founder of Black In Sport (BIS), a growing platform connecting young people to opportunities across the sports, business and entertainment industries, Ladi is helping reshape conversations around access, representation and career development. His inclusion in Forbes 30 Under 30 recognises his entrepreneurial success and a vision that has grown from a university idea into an internationally recognised movement.
While studying at Loughborough, Ladi became increasingly fascinated by the business ecosystem surrounding sport.
"It started with curiosity about what the sports industry looked like behind the athletes.
"The more I researched and discovered it, the more interested I became. I figured that if I felt this way, there must be plenty of people who either felt the same or didn't even know this world existed."
That curiosity evolved into something much more purposeful following the aftermath of the Euro 2020 men’s football final, when England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to racist abuse after missing penalties.
"That moment made the gap between how much Black people give to sport and how little protection and power they hold within it very apparent to us.
"BIS became the space to continue that conversation, but also to create opportunities in a way that felt creative and unique to our generation."
Rather than simply highlighting challenges, BIS set out to provide solutions – building pathways into industries that have often appeared inaccessible to many young people.
Major growth for BIS
What began as a student-led initiative has grown dramatically since Ladi’s graduation in 2023.
Today, BIS delivers major business summits, talent programmes, and industry partnerships that connect emerging professionals with leaders across sport, business and culture. Its flagship events have been hosted at venues including the London Stadium and have featured senior executives, entrepreneurs and influential voices from across the industry.
The organisation's reach now extends beyond the UK, with BIS taking to international stages such as the HOMECOMING Summit in Lagos, Nigeria.
BIS is gaining international traction – yet the mission remains unchanged.
A clear mission
"We're changing what the business ecosystem of sport and entertainment looks like. It's about creating a space where people can leverage their passion for sport into their next opportunity in and beyond sport."
Ladi has made a splash in the sporting world, not only through BIS, but also through his early career in the industry. He is an Account Manager at Octagon – a global agency in sports, entertainment, and culture – and is working on marketing and brand programs across Liverpool FC and the England national teams. But Ladi is still quick to highlight the role that community has played when it comes to BIS's development, and central to the BIS story is the team behind it.
Building on the foundations laid at Loughborough
Ladi founded BIS alongside fellow alums Samuel Ola, Emmanuel Shittu and Faith Oluwaremi. They each played a significant role in its growth. Ladi added:
"We built this together from nothing and that means everything."
Loughborough Sport supported and championed the initiative, providing a foundation on which BIS could build relationships with global brands, athletes and industry leaders.
"The community has been everything, and the support we've received has always come from people who genuinely believe in what BIS stands for and what we're trying to achieve."
The founders were awarded University Medals by the University, a reflection of the impact they had already begun to make as students. The foundations built at Loughborough remain central to the organisation's success.
Joining the Forbes community
For Ladi, Forbes is the latest recognition that highlights the impact of BIS. Reflecting on the recognition, Ladi said:
“Being recognised by Forbes is huge, especially so early in my career. It really reflects the journey so far. We're five years into building Black In Sport (BIS) and we’ve gone from an idea to a platform creating real opportunities and a credible voice with an engaged, growing audience across sport, business, and culture.”
Forbes unveiled its eleventh annual 30 Under 30 Europe List in mid-April. The list recognises standout talent across a broad range of industries and sectors, with honourees joining the Forbes’ global under 30 community. Those named on the lists since its inception form a network of more than 10,000 influential individuals worldwide – and each are playing their own part in making change and leaving an impact on the world.
Many congratulations, Ladi, on joining the Forbes community.