Tuesday 29 March 2016

2inspire Inspirational Woman: Miranda Brawn – Business & Diversity Leader, Barrister and Founder of the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation

Miranda Brawn is an award winning business and diversity leader. Named one of the Top 30 most inspirational women by Brummel, featured in CityAM’s WomenInTheCity Powerlist, BE Mogul Winner and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Miranda drives companies to achieve strong financial performance and public engagement, built upon her extensive experience working for some of the world’s biggest companies.  With a background as an investment banker and a barrister, over 15 years’ experience in philanthropy and diversity work, Miranda wanted to go the extra mile and founded the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation. This provides future BAME leaders with opportunities and incentives. She has recently partnered with The Prince’s Trust to provide one of her scholarships to a young BAME person from the Trust. The aim is to help increase race diversity and equality in Britain.
She has co-founded General Counsel Diversity Leadership Forum and Color In Tech to help increase race and gender diversity. She is on the committee board for City Women Network that helps to increase gender diversity. She is also part of the Thomson Reuters Legal In-House Advisory Network and Business Law Consultation Advisory Board. Miranda is on the board as Vice Chair of the Black Cultural Archives, Patron of the Black British Academics and board adviser for other organisations. Read our inspirational interview with her and be motivated to live your best life too! 

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you? I do not have a typical business day. It varies on a day to day basis. It may include board meetings, drafting and negotiating legal agreements, mentoring, networking events, photo shoots, commentary on television, public speaking plus much more.

What made you start the business and how did you get started? With over 15 years’ experience in diversity, philanthropy and community work, I wanted to go the extra mile and launch the ‘Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation’. This is to provide the next generation of Black, Asian and minority ethnics (BAME) future leaders with incentives and opportunities via scholarships, work experience, lectures and mentoring/coaching programmes. The aim is to help increase race diversity and equality in Britain and beyond.  There will also be a tailored scholarship in association with the Prince’s Trust to help young BAME people from disadvantaged backgrounds get into jobs, education and training.  The scholarships will be awarded at the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Annual Lecture where Dame Jocelyn Barrow will deliver a keynote address prior to my diversity leadership lecture.  Further information can be located via


What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?  My greatest accomplishment is being in a position to be able to give back to society in many ways which include the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far? There have been many challenges however one has been underestimation. If others underestimate me or lower their expectations because I am a woman of colour, that just means they are all that more disadvantaged or ill-prepared when they inevitably see and experience how much more capable I am than them. If some people correlate low expectations with me because I am a woman, there is no question that I will over-deliver, and that is always highly satisfying.

What are your future plans for the business? I would like to expand on a global level.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? I would have started at an earlier age.


Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams? I think it is very important for young women to be inspired and see successful females following their dreams to help them achieve their own.  After my motivational talks, it is highly refreshing to see young women believe they can really do anything that they set their minds to.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry? BE SAFE!

Believe in yourself and exercise confidence.
Exercise persistence and determination when things take longer than expected.
Sky is the limit so aim high.
Authenticity is important for relationship building and leadership.
Focus on your own goals.
Expose yourself to your comfort zone challenges.

What or who inspires you in business and why?  I am inspired by those who rise above their challenges like a phoenix through strength, determination and courage to reach a successful place.

What is your favourite inspirational quote? This is a tough question because I have so many favourite inspirational quotes. That said, one that comes straight to my mind is Napoleon Hill’s “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”


You can follow Miranda Brawn on:

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