Joel Blake OBE

GFA Exchange
Founder

Business leader, Executive Advisor and Public Speaker, Joel is actively sought for his authentic ability to help organisations balance commercial growth with responsible impact, through the use of technology and inclusive ESG practices.

He is the Founder of GFA Exchange, an AI-enabled fintech consultancy that helps finance providers expand into diverse client bases with less risk. He is also Board Advisor to Taranis Capital, an emerging global fintech investment fund based in the Middle East.

He has over 20 years experience of consulting with global blue-chip corporates, banking organisations, active investors and capital providers on the development of inclusive business and finance solutions. His work has helped to fund over 700 diverse businesses, and as the former President of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, he focused on brokering digital innovation partnerships between global organisations.

He is a Business Ambassador for global financial technology software company Sage and was awarded ESG Entrepreneur of the Year in the CityAM Impact Awards in 2023.

In 2019, he was voted as one of the Most Influential Black Voices in UK Tech by Tech Nation and was also awarded an O.B.E for Services to Business Support and Enterprise in 2016.

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