Nana Agyemang on Entrepreneurship, Representation and Support for Black Founders I Behind The ERG

In this episode of Behind The ERG, we sit down with Nana Agyemang, Proposition Delivery Manager at Barclays and Deputy Co‑Chair of the Black Professionals Resource Group. We explore how he’s driving real change across finance, entrepreneurship and representation. Nana shares his journey into the financial sector after moving to the UK as a teenager, and how that experience shaped his passion for equity, access and opportunity. We also explore his work supporting Black founders through venture growth programmes, and his role in launching research into neurodiversity in entrepreneurship — demonstrating how data, community and lived experience can come together to drive meaningful impact. This conversation dives into the realities of leading change within a major institution, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, and how to build sustainable pipelines for underrepresented talent. A thoughtful, honest and impactful episode on leadership, access and creating real opportunity. Host: Edward Odofin Editor: Patris Gordon 00:00 - Intro 02:25 - Tips for travelling to North to South London during peak periods! 03:41 - Delivering the Young, Black and in Finance Seminar for Barclays 05:58 - What made the Young, Black and in Finance event special? 07:18 - Shouting out Emmanuella! 09:50 - Arriving in the UK at the age of 11 11:30 - Finding a UK a big culture shock 12:29 - Adapting to school life in the UK 14:00 - Finding his tribe and community in the UK 18:00 - Having initial interest in journalism 19:00 - Moving into a career in high street banking 20:30 - Adapting to life at Barclays 25:00 - Dealing with imposter syndrome 30:40 - Why awards are important to Nana 32:45 - Being naturalised 34:00 - Importance of recognition 36:23 - Identifying and solving corporate problems 37:40 - Football and banking 39:30 - Black Venture Growth programme 40:00 - Working with Thomas Robson Kanu and Tumeric Co 40:15 - Barclays Women in Business initiativee 43:00 - What is a propositions delivery manager? 46:35 - Feeling accepted in corporate spaces 50:00 - Learning soft skills and interpersonal skills in the workplace 52:50 - Be Yourself 55:00 - Quick fire questions with Nana 57:12 - Nana's legacy 58:50 - Nana's framework for success 1:01:00 - Closing words