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'''Thomas Segun Ilube''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE}} ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|l|uː|b|eɪ}} {{Respell|il|OO|bay}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpMRYSwgAaM|title=The Powerlist Interviews - Tom Ilube|work=YouTube|date=July 7, 2017|accessdate=14 June 2023}}</ref> born July 1963)<ref name="Companies House">{{cite web|title=Thomas Segun ILUBE|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/MzEq1iwn-dVpJOTh5ATXWIhcUoA/appointments|website=Companies House|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> is a British entrepreneur and educational philanthropist and chair of the [[Rugby Football Union]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rfu-appoints-new-chair-ined|title=RFU|website=www.englandrugby.com}}</ref> making him the first black chair of a major sport in England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58562136|title=Tom Ilube: First black chairman of RFU hopes appointment inspires others|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|first=Chris|last= Jones|date=14 September 2021}}</ref> He is the Chair of The Prince’s Trust in the UK.<ref name="voice-online1">{{cite web |author= |date=24 May 2024 |title=Tom Ilube CBE appointed as incoming Chair of The Prince’s Trust UK’s Board of Trustees |url=https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-us/news-views/tom-ilube-appointed-chair-board-trustees |access-date=24 May 2024 |publisher=Princes Trust}}</ref>
'''Thomas Segun Ilube''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE}} ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|l|uː|b|eɪ}} {{Respell|il|OO|bay}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpMRYSwgAaM|title=The Powerlist Interviews - Tom Ilube|work=YouTube|date=July 7, 2017|accessdate=14 June 2023}}</ref> born July 1963)<ref name="Companies House">{{cite web|title=Thomas Segun ILUBE|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/MzEq1iwn-dVpJOTh5ATXWIhcUoA/appointments|website=Companies House|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> is a British entrepreneur and educational philanthropist and former chair of the [[Rugby Football Union]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rfu-appoints-new-chair-ined|title=RFU|website=www.englandrugby.com}}</ref> making him the first black chair of a major sport in England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58562136|title=Tom Ilube: First black chairman of RFU hopes appointment inspires others|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|first=Chris|last= Jones|date=14 September 2021}}</ref> He is the Chair of The King’s Trust in the UK.<ref name="voice-online1">{{cite web |author= |date=24 May 2024 |title=Tom Ilube CBE appointed as incoming Chair of The Prince's Trust UK's Board of Trustees |url=https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-us/news-views/tom-ilube-appointed-chair-board-trustees |access-date=24 May 2024 |publisher=Princes Trust}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
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Ilube founded the [[Hammersmith Academy]], a state secondary school in Hammersmith, west London, which opened in September 2011 and has become one of the UK's "most innovative technology schools".<ref name="voice-online1"/>
Ilube founded the [[Hammersmith Academy]], a state secondary school in Hammersmith, west London, which opened in September 2011 and has become one of the UK's "most innovative technology schools".<ref name="voice-online1"/>


He created and launched [[Noddle (credit report service)|Noddle]], a credit reference service,<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams |first=Rachael |url=https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/mm-profile-tom-ilube/ |title=MM Profile: Tom Ilube - Money Marketing Money Marketing |website=Moneymarketing.co.uk |date= 29 September 2011|access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> in his time as MD of consumer markets at CallCredit Information Group. In 2005 Ilube co-founded Garlik, the online identity company sold to Experian in 2011<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/experian-in-deal-for-id-expert-garlik-6281212.html|title=Experian in deal for ID expert Garlik|date=24 December 2011|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> He is the founder and Chairman of Crossword Cybersecurity plc, which was admitted to the [[Alternative Investment Market|Alternative Investment Market (AIM)]] on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/211214/crossword-cybersecurity-shares-start-trading-on-aim-211214.html|title=Crossword Cybersecurity shares start trading on AIM|date=2018-12-14|website=Proactiveinvestors UK|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref>
He has created and launched several early stage technology companies including [[Noddle (credit report service)|Noddle]], a credit reference service,<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams |first=Rachael |url=https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/mm-profile-tom-ilube/ |title=MM Profile: Tom Ilube - Money Marketing Money Marketing |website=Moneymarketing.co.uk |date= 29 September 2011|access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> Garlik, the online identity company<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/experian-in-deal-for-id-expert-garlik-6281212.html|title=Experian in deal for ID expert Garlik|date=24 December 2011|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> Crossword Cybersecurity plc, a cyber security company and Iternal, a Bristol-based MedTech start up.


Ilube was a non-executive director of the [[BBC]], from April 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/board-appointments|title=BBC - BBC names Board appointments - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|date=23 March 2017|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> stepping down in June 2021 to take up the role of chair of the [[Rugby Football Union]] (RFU),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realwire.com/releases/Crossword-CEO-Tom-Ilube-CBE-appointed-as-Chair-of-RFU|title=Crossword Cybersecurity plc &#124; Crossword CEO Tom Ilube CBE appointed as Chair of RFU|date=1 March 2021|website=RealWire}}</ref> and a non-executive director of FTSE100 company [[WPP plc]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Amilia|date=2020-10-05|title=WPP appoints Tom Ilube CBE as an independent Non-Executive Director|url=https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/wpp-appoints-tom-ilube-cbe-as-an-independent-non-executive-director/412862813|access-date=2020-10-12|website=DirectorsTalk Interviews|language=en-GB}}</ref> the world’s largest advertising company<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherman|first=Alex|date=2020-08-24|title='The worst is behind us,' says CEO of WPP, the world's largest advertising company|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/the-worst-is-behind-us-says-ceo-of-wpp-the-worlds-largest-advertising-company.html|access-date=2020-10-12|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> by revenue, effective October 2020.
Ilube was a non-executive director of the [[BBC]], from April 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/board-appointments|title=BBC - BBC names Board appointments - Media Centre|website=BBC|date=23 March 2017|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> stepping down in June 2021 to take up the role of chair of the [[Rugby Football Union]] (RFU),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realwire.com/releases/Crossword-CEO-Tom-Ilube-CBE-appointed-as-Chair-of-RFU|title=Crossword Cybersecurity plc &#124; Crossword CEO Tom Ilube CBE appointed as Chair of RFU|date=1 March 2021|website=RealWire}}</ref> and a non-executive director of FTSE100 company [[WPP plc]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Amilia|date=2020-10-05|title=WPP appoints Tom Ilube CBE as an independent Non-Executive Director|url=https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/wpp-appoints-tom-ilube-cbe-as-an-independent-non-executive-director/412862813|access-date=2020-10-12|website=DirectorsTalk Interviews|language=en-GB}}</ref> the world’s largest advertising company<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherman|first=Alex|date=2020-08-24|title='The worst is behind us,' says CEO of WPP, the world's largest advertising company|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/the-worst-is-behind-us-says-ceo-of-wpp-the-worlds-largest-advertising-company.html|access-date=2020-10-12|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> by revenue, effective October 2020. He resigned from the RFU in December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn9g5zdq514o|title=Beaumont to be interim RFU chair as Ilube steps down|website=BBC|date=20 December 2024|access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref>


==Charity==
==Charity==
Ilube is the chair and founder of the African Gifted Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africangifted.org/ |title=African Science Academy &#124; Africa's leading science and maths academy for girls |website=Africangifted.org |date=7 August 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> a UK education charity focused on science and technology in Africa. They recently launched the [[African Science Academy]], Africa's first all-girls science and maths academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulse.com.gh/innovation/building-africa-founder-of-africa-s-first-stem-school-for-girls-named-most-influential-black-briton-id5661266.html |title=Building Africa: Founder of Africa's first STEM school for girls named most influential black Briton - Innovation |language=de|website=Pulse.com.gh |date=26 October 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> He was chair of [[Ada. National College for Digital Skills|Ada, the National College for Digital Skills]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ada.ac.uk/people |title=People - Ada. National College for Digital Skills |website=ada.ac.uk |date= |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> which opened in 2016 as the first brand new UK further education college in 23 years.<ref>{{cite web|author=Anna Davis |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/new-college-in-north-london-will-boost-women-in-tech-sector-a3200201.html |title=New college in north London 'will boost women in tech sector |website=Standard.co.uk |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref>
Ilube is the chair and founder of the African Gifted Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africangifted.org/ |title=African Science Academy &#124; Africa's leading science and maths academy for girls |website=Africangifted.org |date=7 August 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> a UK education charity focused on science and technology in Africa. They recently launched the [[African Science Academy]], Africa's first all-girls science and maths academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulse.com.gh/innovation/building-africa-founder-of-africa-s-first-stem-school-for-girls-named-most-influential-black-briton-id5661266.html |title=Building Africa: Founder of Africa's first STEM school for girls named most influential black Briton - Innovation |language=de|website=Pulse.com.gh |date=26 October 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> He was chair of [[Ada. National College for Digital Skills|Ada, the National College for Digital Skills]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ada.ac.uk/people |title=People - Ada. National College for Digital Skills |website=ada.ac.uk |date= |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> which opened in 2016 as the first brand new UK further education college in 23 years.<ref>{{cite web|author=Anna Davis |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/new-college-in-north-london-will-boost-women-in-tech-sector-a3200201.html |title=New college in north London 'will boost women in tech sector |website=Standard.co.uk |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref>


Ilube provides the prize money for the Nommo Awards for African science fiction and speculative fiction, announced at the [[Aké Arts and Book Festival|Ake Book Festival]] in 2016 and hosted at WorldCon in Glasgow in 2024 .<ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2024 |title=Glasgow 2024 Programme Guide |url=https://guide.glasgow2024.org/id/083962ec-0676-4336-b51c-c45efb3343bd |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=www.guide.glasgow2024.org}}</ref>
Ilube provides the prize money for the [[Nommo Awards]] for African science fiction and speculative fiction, announced at the [[Aké Arts and Book Festival|Ake Book Festival]] in 2016 and hosted at WorldCon in Glasgow in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2024 |title=Glasgow 2024 Programme Guide |url=https://guide.glasgow2024.org/id/083962ec-0676-4336-b51c-c45efb3343bd |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=www.guide.glasgow2024.org}}</ref>


==Recognition==
==Recognition==
He was the first recipient of the [[City Livery Club]] centenary "Root and Branch" Award in 2014, presented by [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2014/july/city-livery-club-honours-cass-alumnus2 |title=City Livery Club honours Cass alumnus |website=Cass.city.ac.uk |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref>
He was the first recipient of the [[City Livery Club]] centenary "Root and Branch" Award in 2014, presented by [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2014/july/city-livery-club-honours-cass-alumnus2 |title=City Livery Club honours Cass alumnus |website=Cass.city.ac.uk |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112014824/http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2014/july/city-livery-club-honours-cass-alumnus2 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In October 2016, Ilube was named by ''[[Powerlist]]'' as the most influential black person in the UK after topping the annual list of the 100 most powerful people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/tom-ilube-named-most-powerful-man-britain|title=Tom Ilube named the most powerful man in Britain|newspaper=[[The Voice (British newspaper)|The Voice]]|date=25 October 2016|access-date=2018-10-26|language=en}}</ref>
In October 2016, Ilube was named by ''[[Powerlist]]'' as the most influential black person in the UK after topping the annual list of the 100 most powerful people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/tom-ilube-named-most-powerful-man-britain|title=Tom Ilube named the most powerful man in Britain|newspaper=[[The Voice (British newspaper)|The Voice]]|date=25 October 2016|access-date=2018-10-26|language=en}}</ref>
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Ilube was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2018 Birthday Honours]] for services to Technology and Philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714826/Birthday_Honours_2018_-_the_Prime_Minister_s_list_-_CSV.csv/preview|title=Birthday Honours 2018: the Prime Minister's list (CSV) - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref>
Ilube was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2018 Birthday Honours]] for services to Technology and Philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714826/Birthday_Honours_2018_-_the_Prime_Minister_s_list_-_CSV.csv/preview|title=Birthday Honours 2018: the Prime Minister's list (CSV) - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref>


In 2018, Ilube was elected an advisory fellow of [[St Anne's College, Oxford]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/about/people/emeritus-honorary-supernumerary-and-senior-research-fellows|title=St Anne's College, Oxford > About the College > Emeritus, Honorary, & Supernumerary and Senior Research Fellows|website=www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-08-05}}</ref> and subsequently elected an honorary fellow in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=St Anne's College Elects Three New Honorary Fellows: Tom Ilube CBE, Amanda Pritchard and Prof. Denis Feeney |url=https://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/st-annes-college-elects-three-new-honorary-fellows-tom-ilube-cbe-amanda-pritchard-and-prof-denis-feeney/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=St Anne's College, Oxford |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2020 he was elected an honorary fellow of [[Jesus College, Oxford]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Ilube |url=https://www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/about-jesus-college/our-community/people/thomas-ilube-cbe-frsa-fbcs/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=Jesus College |language=en-GB}}</ref> Ilube was awarded honorary doctorates by the [[University of Wolverhampton]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 BCS Prize Winners {{!}} Project Prize Winners {{!}} BCS Wolverhampton Branch {{!}} UK Branches {{!}} Member groups {{!}} Membership {{!}} BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT |url=http://www.bcs.org/content/ConWebDoc/33226 |access-date=4 January 2017 |website=www.bcs.org}}</ref>, [[City, University of London|City University]], London in 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Ilube receives honorary degree from City |url=https://www.city.ac.uk/news/2018/january/in-conversation-with-tom-ilube |access-date=2018-02-03 |website=City, University of London |language=en}}</ref>, the [[University of Benin (Nigeria)|University of Benin]] in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-27 |title=UNIBEN graduates 125 first class at combined convocation |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/uniben-graduates-125-first-class-at-combined-convocation/ |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}</ref> the [[University of Portsmouth]] in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Ilube {{!}} University of Portsmouth Alumni |url=https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/alumni/honorary-degree-recipients/tom-ilube |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.port.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref>, [[Coventry University]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspiring individuals set to be honoured by Coventry University |url=https://www.coventry.ac.uk/news/2022/inspiring-individuals-set-to-be-honoured-by-coventry-university/ |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.coventry.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Birmingham City University in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=“I want young, black leaders to set their sights high” – first black chair of RFU receives honorary doctorate from BCU |url=https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/first-black-chair-of-rfu-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-bcu |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Birmingham City University |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2018, Ilube was elected an advisory fellow of [[St Anne's College, Oxford]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/about/people/emeritus-honorary-supernumerary-and-senior-research-fellows|title=St Anne's College, Oxford > About the College > Emeritus, Honorary, & Supernumerary and Senior Research Fellows|website=www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-08-05|archive-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714143434/http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/about/people/emeritus-honorary-supernumerary-and-senior-research-fellows|url-status=dead}}</ref> and subsequently elected an honorary fellow in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=St Anne's College Elects Three New Honorary Fellows: Tom Ilube CBE, Amanda Pritchard and Prof. Denis Feeney |url=https://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/st-annes-college-elects-three-new-honorary-fellows-tom-ilube-cbe-amanda-pritchard-and-prof-denis-feeney/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=St Anne's College, Oxford |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2020 he was elected an honorary fellow of [[Jesus College, Oxford]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Ilube |url=https://www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/about-jesus-college/our-community/people/thomas-ilube-cbe-frsa-fbcs/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=Jesus College |language=en-GB}}</ref> Ilube was awarded honorary doctorates by the [[University of Wolverhampton]] in 2005.,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 BCS Prize Winners {{!}} Project Prize Winners {{!}} BCS Wolverhampton Branch {{!}} UK Branches {{!}} Member groups {{!}} Membership {{!}} BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT |url=http://www.bcs.org/content/ConWebDoc/33226 |access-date=4 January 2017 |website=www.bcs.org}}</ref> [[City, University of London|City University]], London in 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Ilube receives honorary degree from City |url=https://www.city.ac.uk/news/2018/january/in-conversation-with-tom-ilube |access-date=2018-02-03 |website=City, University of London |language=en}}</ref> the [[University of Benin (Nigeria)|University of Benin]] in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-27 |title=UNIBEN graduates 125 first class at combined convocation |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/uniben-graduates-125-first-class-at-combined-convocation/ |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}</ref> the [[University of Portsmouth]] in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Ilube {{!}} University of Portsmouth Alumni |url=https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/alumni/honorary-degree-recipients/tom-ilube |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.port.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> [[Coventry University]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspiring individuals set to be honoured by Coventry University |url=https://www.coventry.ac.uk/news/2022/inspiring-individuals-set-to-be-honoured-by-coventry-university/ |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.coventry.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Birmingham City University in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title="I want young, black leaders to set their sights high" – first black chair of RFU receives honorary doctorate from BCU |url=https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/first-black-chair-of-rfu-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-bcu |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Birmingham City University |language=en-GB}}</ref>


In October 2021, Ilube appeared on [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[Desert Island Discs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00106jx|title=Tom Ilube, entrepreneurs|website=Desert Island Discs|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>
In October 2021, Ilube appeared on [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[Desert Island Discs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00106jx|title=Tom Ilube, entrepreneurs|website=Desert Island Discs|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 21:35, 21 December 2024

Tom Ilube
CBE
Tom Ilube in 2016
Born
Thomas Segun Ilube

July 1963 (age 61)
Richmond, Surrey, England
EducationTeddington School
Edo College
Alma materUniversity of Benin
Cass Business School
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur and educational philanthropist
Children2
Websiteafricangifted.org

Thomas Segun Ilube CBE (/ɪˈluːbeɪ/ il-OO-bay;[1] born July 1963)[2] is a British entrepreneur and educational philanthropist and former chair of the Rugby Football Union[3] making him the first black chair of a major sport in England.[4] He is the Chair of The King’s Trust in the UK.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Ilube was educated at Teddington School, in Richmond-upon-Thames[6] and Edo College in Benin City, Nigeria, followed by a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Benin. He later received a master's degree in business administration from London's Cass Business School.[7]

Career

[edit]

Ilube was chief information officer (CIO) for the internet bank Egg.[5][8]

Ilube founded the Hammersmith Academy, a state secondary school in Hammersmith, west London, which opened in September 2011 and has become one of the UK's "most innovative technology schools".[5]

He has created and launched several early stage technology companies including Noddle, a credit reference service,[9] Garlik, the online identity company[10] Crossword Cybersecurity plc, a cyber security company and Iternal, a Bristol-based MedTech start up.

Ilube was a non-executive director of the BBC, from April 2017,[11] stepping down in June 2021 to take up the role of chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU),[12] and a non-executive director of FTSE100 company WPP plc,[13] the world’s largest advertising company[14] by revenue, effective October 2020. He resigned from the RFU in December 2024.[15]

Charity

[edit]

Ilube is the chair and founder of the African Gifted Foundation,[16] a UK education charity focused on science and technology in Africa. They recently launched the African Science Academy, Africa's first all-girls science and maths academy.[17] He was chair of Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.[18] which opened in 2016 as the first brand new UK further education college in 23 years.[19]

Ilube provides the prize money for the Nommo Awards for African science fiction and speculative fiction, announced at the Ake Book Festival in 2016 and hosted at WorldCon in Glasgow in 2024.[20]

Recognition

[edit]

He was the first recipient of the City Livery Club centenary "Root and Branch" Award in 2014, presented by The Princess Royal.[21]

In October 2016, Ilube was named by Powerlist as the most influential black person in the UK after topping the annual list of the 100 most powerful people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.[22]

Ilube received the 2017 Beacon Award for innovation in philanthropy.[23] and in the same year, New African magazine listed Ilube as one of Africa's most influential people.[24]

Ilube was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to Technology and Philanthropy.[25]

In 2018, Ilube was elected an advisory fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford,[26] and subsequently elected an honorary fellow in 2021.[27] In 2020 he was elected an honorary fellow of Jesus College, Oxford.[28] Ilube was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Wolverhampton in 2005.,[29] City University, London in 2018,[30] the University of Benin in 2021,[31] the University of Portsmouth in 2022,[32] Coventry University in 2022.[33] and Birmingham City University in 2024.[34]

In October 2021, Ilube appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Powerlist Interviews - Tom Ilube". YouTube. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
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  4. ^ Jones, Chris (14 September 2021). "Tom Ilube: First black chairman of RFU hopes appointment inspires others". www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ a b c "Tom Ilube CBE appointed as incoming Chair of The Prince's Trust UK's Board of Trustees". Princes Trust. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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  13. ^ Stone, Amilia (5 October 2020). "WPP appoints Tom Ilube CBE as an independent Non-Executive Director". DirectorsTalk Interviews. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  14. ^ Sherman, Alex (24 August 2020). "'The worst is behind us,' says CEO of WPP, the world's largest advertising company". CNBC. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
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  23. ^ "Beacon Awards 2017 honour exceptional UK philanthropists - UK Community Foundations". UK Community Foundations. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
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  32. ^ "Tom Ilube | University of Portsmouth Alumni". www.port.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Inspiring individuals set to be honoured by Coventry University". www.coventry.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  34. ^ ""I want young, black leaders to set their sights high" – first black chair of RFU receives honorary doctorate from BCU". Birmingham City University. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
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