• Previous
• Next

Britain has always drawn strength from those who step forward to contribute. Migration, at its best, embodies that principle—fuelling enterprise, sustaining public services, and deepening the bonds of civic life.

As someone who came to this country and built a life here, I’ve seen—first-hand and over many years—how individuals from diverse backgrounds bring capability, drive, and a clear sense of purpose. They don’t just adapt—they help shape the institutions they join, and in doing so, reinforce the values we share.

This is not simply about integration—it is about nation-building in real time.

Wol Kolade

Wol joined Livingbridge in 1993 and has led the business since 1998. He was previously a Chair of the BVCA and the Chair of the Guys and St Thomas’ Foundation. He joined the board of NHS England in 2018 and was Deputy Chair from 2022 to 2025.

Wol is a co-founder of the 10,000 Black Interns Initiative. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter in 2014 and a CBE for services to Financial Services in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours.