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About the Association
for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers

“AFBE has been a source of inspiration and affirmation and navigated me to push through the glass ceiling and unlock my maximum potential.” – AFBE transition testimonial

AFBE-UK promotes higher achievements in education and engineering particularly among people from black and minority ethnicity (BME) backgrounds.

The Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE) was established in 2007 to address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the engineering workforce.
AFBE seeks to showcase and support the technical talent available within the Black and Minority Ethnic community through professional development, career placement services, mentorship opportunities, community engagement, and by influencing governmental policies.

AFBE has over 2,500 members spread across the UK and 80 corporate organisation members. It is supported by various industry partners and government bodies.

Since its inception 19 years ago, AFBE has aimed to achieve three objectives:

  • To attract more people from minority ethnic backgrounds into the engineering profession
  • To enable retention and progression of talent within the industry through mentoring aspiring engineers
  • To equip engineers to progress to leadership roles and to become role models for the next generation
More info on our corporate website

About AFBELive!

AFBELive is a conference conceived by AFBE-UK for its 15th anniversary to showcase
AFBE-UK’s work over many years in towns and cities across the UK. The one-day
conference highlights the contributions of people from minoritised groups in the UK through innovation.
 
The conference aims to amplify the importance of diversity, inclusion and belonging by providing all stakeholders with insights into strategies that enable growth in our industry, while discussing technological challenges.
 
The engineering industry accounts for 27.1% of total UK GDP. The conference will bring together government officials, Members of Parliament, CEOs, engineering businesses, students, engineering professionals and stakeholders within the diversity and inclusion space to highlight the importance of inclusion across all sectors.
 
The conference also provides a platform to discover the “Next Big Idea”: a Dragons’ Den-style event aimed at students and professionals. This will inspire bright new ideas around perceptions of engineering, social mobility, employability, racial parity in engineering, STEM education, preparation of graduates for the world of work, innovation, and sustainable development.
 
The 2024 conference, themed “The Future of Engineering: Human Centric Solutions”, held in April 2024, was a remarkable success with over 600 attendees. There was a fantastic turnout from partner organisations, universities, members, and other professional bodies from all over the UK.
 
The post-conference networking reception, with live musical performances,
good food and a great atmosphere, also provided an excellent opportunity
for networking.
 
The conference takes place biannually and brings together some of the best minds in the industry.

Looking ahead to 2026, AFBELive returns with the theme “The Future of Engineering: From Access to Equity“, marking a critical evolution in the conversation around diversity and inclusion. Moving beyond simply opening doors, the 2026 conference will challenge the sector to build systems that ensure everyone can thrive once they are inside. Through exploration of four key topics: A Pipeline that Delivers Change, Trends and Opportunities in Engineering, Sustainability, and Inclusive Supply Chains. The event will examine how engineering can become more equitable, sustainable, and just. Attendees can expect the return of The Next Big Idea competition and the Future Leaders Forum, alongside panels, workshops, keynote addresses, and a networking reception designed to forge meaningful connections and inspire tangible action toward a more inclusive engineering future.