Yvonne Thompson was born in Guyana and immigrated to Britain in 1961, initially training for a career in nursing before turning to freelance writing for music industry publications including Music Week.
Thompson became Music Editor of Root magazine, described as the UK's first Black glossy monthly magazine, and in 1990 was a founding member of Choice FM, Britain's first Black music radio station, now known as Capital XTRA.
Thompson went on to found ASAP Communications, often cited as the UK's first Black-owned PR company, and in 1996 established the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners, later known as WinTrade Global Women Entrepreneurs Network.
Thompson was awarded the CBE in 2003 for services to women, small business and minorities, and is frequently referred to as Britain's first Black self-made woman millionaire, later serving as chair of the Radio Academy.
She has been frequently referred to as Britain's first Black self-made woman millionaire.
Yvonne Thompson's succession of business firsts, from Britain's first Black music radio station to its first Black-owned PR company, helped build a network of Black-owned media and business infrastructure that continues to operate today.
- 1961Immigrates to Britain from Guyana.
- 1990Co-founds Choice FM, Britain’s first Black music radio station.
- 1996Founds the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners.
- 2003Awarded the CBE for services to women, small business and minorities.
- 2018Appointed Chair of The Radio Academy.
- ★ Co-founded Choice FM, Britain's first Black music radio station
- ★ Founded ASAP Communications, often cited as the UK's first Black-owned PR company
- ★ Music Editor of Root, the UK's first Black glossy monthly magazine
- ★ Founded the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners in 1996
- ★ Awarded the CBE in 2003