GCHA director Morenike Ajayi receives MBE for services to race equality and inclusion

Morenike Ajayi, Director of Corporate Services at GCHA, has received an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2022.

She was recognised for her services to race equality and inclusion. As founder and CEO of social enterprise Career Nuggets, Morenike has helped further career opportunities for the BME community by providing mentoring, networking, workshops, events and more.

In addition, she is Treasurer at London Youth. Previously, she was a trustee for the National Union of Students (UK) and Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre, a health and social care charity.

Morenike said: “What an awesome way to start 2022! To find my name on the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

“I feel blessed and delighted to be recognised for the work we have been doing over the past few years through my social enterprise called Career Nuggets. This honours will fuel our continued aspiration to educate, empower and enlighten BME professionals to achieve their full potentials in the workplace (from entry level to the board room).

“Secondly, it has been a collaborative effort, so I will like thank everyone who has supported the Career Nuggets vision in diverse ways. Thank you for your commitment, dedication, and passion to empower members of the BME community on having a fulfilling and fruitful career.

“Finally, on reflection… I look at the girl who once fetched water from a stream, read with a lantern and grew up under some harsh conditions and say, ‘Dreams Do Come True’.”

Morenike has won multiple awards and is a chartered accountant, executive producer, TV presenter, author and motivational public speaker.

She joined GCHA in August 2020 after working in senior roles at the London Pensions Fund Authority, Genesis Housing Association and Origin Housing Association.