Dare CEO Michael Olaye Recognised as Top 100 BAME Leader in Tech

Michael Olaye, CEO at experience, design and engineering company Dare, has been announced as one of the 100 most influential Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders in the UK technology sector. The list, produced by board appointments firm Inclusive Boards, will be released today at the House of Commons as part of the official launch of the Inclusive Tech Alliance.

Michael is also chief technology officer at Inside Ideas Group, the world’s fastest growing marcomms company. He leads the group’s technology vision, and is responsible for its technical collaboration, industry thought leadership and advanced technology incubations.

Providing mentorship to talent across marketing, advertising and technology, he also supports the industry at a grassroots level. Michael assisted at the School of Arts & Communications 2.0, working with up-and-coming industry talent. He also helps local communities in the London boroughs through the Future First Alumni programme, both as a supporter and guest speaker.

The Inclusive Tech Alliance has been set up in response to new research by Inclusive Boards, which shows that the sector is significantly lagging behind others on diversity within senior leadership. Those featured in the top 100 include senior leaders from Facebook, LinkedIn, IBM, Twitter and financial services firm EY. Judges include Tim Sawyer CBE, COO at Innovate UK; Sandra Kerr OBE, race equality director at Business in the Community; and Catherine Muirden, director of HR at Co-Op Foods).

Michael Olaye says: “It’s great to see the technology sector being forward-thinkers when it comes to innovation, but we’re still a bit slow-footed when it comes to facilitating diverse workforces. We continue to work hard to attract the diverse talent across the board, and I’m looking forward to working with the Alliance to help inspire the next generation of innovators.”

The founder of the Inclusive Tech Alliance (ITA), Samuel Kasumu, also a member of the Prime Minister's Race Disparity Advisory Board, says: “Technology is increasingly playing an important role in driving our economy and there is a great need to ensure that everyone can fully participate in the jobs and opportunities technology brings. Michael Olaye and others featured in this list today are role models that will inspire the next generation, and hopefully help to improve diversity within the sector.”