Lydia Amoah

Lydia Amoah is the founder and CEO of Backlight, a multi-award-winning research and insight agency that helps businesses harness cultural intelligence for commercial success. Lydia is also the founder of The Black Pound Report, the UK’s leading research study into the economic power of Black, Asian and multi-ethnic consumers. She is a dynamic force in the world of motivational speaking, celebrated for her transformative impact on business, culture and leadership. As a globally recognised speaker, business coach and strategist, Lydia draws on over two decades of experience to inspire audiences to lead with purpose, unlock potential, and embrace inclusive growth.

Beginning her career in project coordination at MICE International, Lydia spent several years in PR and events management roles for organisations including the College of Northeast London, Media Trust and the NFL. She went on to work as a Talent Coach and In-house Learning and Development Coach at Channel 4, later taking on similar roles with The UK Coaching Partnership, Telegraph Media Group and Financial Times Commercial. Lydia’s passion for equity and leadership development led her to Creative Equals, where she served as a Cultural Transformation Consultant and created Accelerate, the UK’s first multicultural leadership programme for the creative industries. She also acted as a Diversity Patron for Show Racism the Red Card and was formerly Head of Black at Cannes UK.

Her work has earned her widespread recognition for both her entrepreneurial impact and commitment to social change. She has been honoured with the FFinc Driving Force Award, the Market Research Society Liz Nelson Award for Social Impact, and was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the City AM Dragon Awards. Her influence was further acknowledged with the Lord Hastings Honour at the BATON Awards, and she was a finalist in the Marketing, Media and Creative category at the Black Talent Awards. Lydia has also been featured in the Performance Marketing World’s ‘Powerlist 100’ and the UK Black Business Show’s ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch’. She was recently nominated for Most Inspirational Entrepreneur of the Year at the Inspire Awards.

What makes Lydia an exceptional motivational speaker is her rare ability to combine cultural intelligence with commercial insight, delivering talks that inspire lasting change. Lydia has spoken at major events, including Microsoft at Cannes Lions, HSBC’s Black Female Founders event, and Advertising Week. Audiences value her clarity, authenticity and vision, leaving them inspired and equipped to lead with purpose. She empowers leaders through keynote speeches and executive coaching, helping them build inclusive and sustainable businesses. She also teaches MBA students at the University of Oxford, and her work has informed Hearst UK’s Black Beauty Hub and their national outdoor campaign, further demonstrating her strategic and meaningful impact.