When Emmanuel connected with ELBA, he was unsure about which direction he wanted to take. Following his time on the RISE programme, he secured an industrial placement at SMBC, was named one of the UK’s Top 10 Black Heritage Undergraduates of the Year and founded his own social enterprise.

Please tell us about yourself to give readers an understanding of your journey
When I connected with ELBA, I was at the very beginning of my career journey – motivated and curious but lacking a clear sense of direction or easy access to the networks that could help me find one. I was particularly interested in exploring how my background in psychology and behavioural science could translate into professional and financial services. I wanted structured support, exposure to different industries and guidance on how to navigate early opportunities with confidence and clarity. That is exactly what drew me to ELBA and the RISE programme with Standard Chartered.

How did you hear about ELBA?
I first heard about ELBA at a networking event, where they spoke about their programmes with a rare specificity and warmth that instantly stood out. They didn’t describe it as a corporate pipeline or a standard scheme, but as genuine, practical support. That distinction really mattered to me, and it turned out to be exactly right.

Please tell us about how ELBA has supported you?
The first thing ELBA gave me was an exceptional mentor who fundamentally changed how I looked at my career. Through honest conversations and practical guidance, my mentor helped me map out a growth plan that reflected my true interests, strengths and long-term ambitions. This process surfaced my passion for transformation and change management. My mentor didn’t just think strategically with me; they also stood by me through the practical realities of early applications – reviewing my CV and cover letters, sharpening my interview technique, and helping me navigate application season with clarity rather than anxiety.

With that foundation in place, the RISE programme opened up the industry itself. Gaining exposure across Corporate Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Global Markets and Client Coverage, this allowed me to see how financial institutions actually operate, how they make decisions and where my emerging interests could add value. That sense of possibility deepened further when I had the opportunity to meet senior executives, including the UK CEO and Europe COO. Hearing how they had navigated their own journeys and what they looked for in their teams made the path feel achievable in a way it hadn’t before.

Through it all, Siobhan at ELBA and the wider ELBA Employment team have been exceptional, opening doors that wouldn’t otherwise have been accessible. Having the opportunity to meet the Alderman of the City of London, being invited to speak at Guildhall and sharing my story at 40 Leadenhall exemplify this. ELBA didn’t just give me a seat at the table; they amplified my voice in rooms I previously couldn’t enter.

What difference has this support made to to you/your challenges?
The impact of ELBA’s support has been far-reaching and compounded in ways I didn’t fully anticipate when I first joined. With a clearer sense of direction, a stronger professional presence and the confidence to back myself in competitive processes after RISE, I went on to secure experience at top-tier global management consultancies and professional services firms – deepening my skills in strategic advisory, applied research and organisational performance. Following this, ELBA invited me to SMBC’s Black Employees and Allies Network Insight Day, helping me secure my current industrial placement at SMBC as a Project Analyst in the Transformation and Change Management Department. Everything from the role I chose to apply for, to how I prepared, to how I showed up was shaped by what I learned through ELBA.

My time on RISE also deepened my conviction around social equity, economic inclusion and what holistic support for young people can look like. This inspired me to found Purposed, a youth-led non-profit that uses storytelling, research and a digital youth centre to empower young people from underrepresented backgrounds to build themselves, their skills and the world around them.

I am incredibly honoured that my journey has also been recognised externally. Being named one of the UK’s Top 10 Black Heritage Undergraduates of the Year at the UGOY 2026 Awards by TargetJobs, GTI and Sky recently was a massive milestone – and one that directly reflects the support that made it possible.

Would you recommend ELBA to others and, if so, why?
Absolutely and I do, regularly. What ELBA offers isn’t just a set of programmes; it’s a genuine investment in potential at a stage when many of us are still figuring out what’s next. For anyone who is ambitious, curious and looking for a way into professional or financial services, ELBA makes a profound and lasting difference. They don’t just open doors; they help you thrive once you’re through them.