BIOGRAPHY

Lewis Iwu is a successful business founder, an experienced social justice strategist who advises leaders, a world-class speaking and debating coach, and the author of Words that Win, a guide to winning arguments.

Background and Early Career

Born to Nigerian immigrants in Forest Gate, East London, Lewis was educated at St Bonaventure's School in Newham. He subsequently studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at New College, Oxford, where he was elected Junior Common Room president. Lewis then made history by becoming the first Black President of the Oxford Students’ Union in 2007, where he championed access. In the same year, Lewis won the coveted World Universities Debating Championships for Oxford. This achievement shattered long-standing barriers in an activity historically dominated by privately educated white men, paving the way for future generations of debaters from diverse backgrounds to thrive in that space.

Education Campaigner and Leader

At 28, Lewis was appointed Executive Director of the Fair Education Alliance. Leading a national coalition of charities, businesses, and educational institutions, he spearheaded initiatives to close the education gap in the UK. His leadership galvanised a successful national campaign to prevent the government from expanding grammar schools, a policy that evidence

showed would widen the gap for disadvantaged children. The coalition grew from 20 to over 100 members during his tenure.

Co-founder and CEO of Purpose Union

Subsequently, Lewis co-founded Purpose Union in 2019, a pioneering social purpose strategy firm, where he serves as CEO. Leveraging his expertise, he advises leading organisations on Notable projects include advising NatWest on their “Banking on Racial Equality” initiative, , assisting the RFU and Premiership Rugby in addressing claims of racism and classism leading to a landmark public report and advising the Black Equity Organisation ahead of its launch.

A leader in his field, he was named 2025 Most Purposeful Professional globally by PRWeek. He was also named in the Innovative 25 by PRvoke.

He has advised Sanofi on its ambitious global ambition to build trust between minoritised communities and healthcare systems in over ten countries. He is currently working on a global campaign to improve sanitation in the Global South and increase school enrollment. He has also spent the last year working with Lewis Hamilton’s foundation to make motorsports racially diverse. He worked with Sky to launch its ambitions to improve representation of the black community in media, with the company’s first-ever Black-specific targets.

On broader issues, Lewis played a pivotal role in advising a group of former footballers, including Gary Neville, Gary Lineker, and Rio Ferdinand, in successfully campaigning to establish an independent football regulator, which is now government policy. He also co-hosted a

Masterclass series with Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai on achieving social change, demonstrating his commitment to driving meaningful impact on a global scale.

He has worked with organisations such as Sanofi, Formula 1, Unilever, the UN, KPMG, Allen & Overy, Sky, BT, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Rosewood Hotel Group, The Wellcome Trust and Reckitt.

World-leading debate and public speaking coach

At Purpose Union, Lewis has also had the privilege of working with hundreds of individuals, ranging from CEOs and board members to politicians, activists, and celebrities, to improve their public speaking and debating skills. Lewis believes this form of coaching matters. If senior leaders are more confident and more persuasive when they talk about racial justice and other social issues, they can become powerful advocates and help to accelerate wider change in their organisations and beyond.

His coaching methodology is rooted in a deep understanding of effective communication strategies, honed through years of experience in debating and the professional sphere. He combines theoretical knowledge with practical techniques to empower his clients to articulate their messages clearly, confidently, and with impact.

Lewis has deployed his advice to the political arena, where he has worked closely with the Labour Party, coaching almost 200 parliamentary candidates on their public speaking and

debating skills. He has also worked with political candidates through the Bernie Grant Programme, which supports aspiring candidates from the Black community. By providing tailored support and mentorship, Iwu empowers these individuals to navigate the complexities of political discourse and amplify their voices within the political landscape.

For the past four years, Lewis has collaborated with organisations such as the Grantham Institute for Climate, coaching over 120 climate scientists and economists to communicate the urgency of climate action effectively.

Lewis has published a book called "Words That Win: How to Win the Debates That Matter" to share valuable insights and strategies with a wider audience, expanding access to the tools of effective communication.

Wider work and platform.

Lewis served for 8 years on the board of the British Red Cross board. During this time, he chaired the Ethical Fundraising Committee and provided strategic guidance to one of the largest charities in the UK during humanitarian crises in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and Turkey.

He also sits on the Chartered Management Institute’s Everyone Economy Advisory Committee and its Race Equity Committee, Chaired by Sir Trevor Phillips. Lewis is also a fellow of the British American Project.

Lewis also contributes frequently to the national conversation on responsible business and the DEI agenda. He has written about social issues for The Economist, The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, and The New Statesman, and has made numerous TV appearances. This includes recently defending the NHS’s decision to invest in DEI on LBC and making the case for greater investment in oracy in schools with Andrew Marr on the same platform. Lewis has also given a TEDx talk about social mobility. He is a prolific keynote speaker, delivering recent keynotes on social purpose for the European Association of Communication Directors and Theatre Conference.

In recognition of his contributions to social impact, Iwu was given an honorary degree from the University of East London in 2019.

ACCOLADES

World University Debating Champion 2008

Coach of the 2016 World Schools Debating Champions

Honorary doctorate from University of East London for social justice work

Most Purposeful Pro

Uk’s most influential black comms pros

PR Week's 2025 Most Purposeful Agency Professional global award