20/11/2025
When we think of transformation, few stories are as compelling as that of Kenny Imafidon MBE, our guest speaker at our next Fellows Lecture in February, kindly sponsored by Get Set UK and Fedcap.
Born and raised in Peckham, South London, Kenny’s early life was shaped by hardship: poverty, systemic neglect, and the day-to-day realities of growing up on an estate where opportunities felt scarce. But even in his teenage years, Kenny was doing more than simply navigating that world. He was quietly rewriting it.
A Life Altered by Injustice
At 18, Kenny faced one of his greatest trials. He was wrongfully charged with murder (among other serious crimes) under joint-enterprise laws – a case that would upend everything. He spent six months on remand before being acquitted when a judge determined there was “no case to answer”.
During that time, he sat his A-Level exams from custody. Rather than let that chapter define him, he used it as a turning point.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Once free, Kenny could have walked away. Instead, he leaned in. He authored The Kenny Report, delivering it to the House of Commons, which spotlighted the experiences of young, marginalised people vulnerable to gang violence, systemic injustice, and the cycles that trap too many.
From there grew ClearView Research, a company he co-founded to amplify underrepresented voices. What began as a vision became a powerful force: ClearView now works with global brands and institutions, bridging insights and inclusion.
His work has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Kenny was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to social and market research. This honour reflects both his entrepreneurial drive and his deep commitment to giving back to communities, to young people, to the conversation about social justice.
That Peckham Boy: A Memoir and Manifesto
In his memoir, That Peckham Boy: Growing Up, Getting Out and Giving Back, Kenny doesn’t shy away from his past. He tells of growing up in a tough environment, of being exposed to violence, and of the heartbreak of being wrongly accused.
His book is a call to action. It is a “personal manifesto” about what it means to be young, Black, and poor in the UK, and how hope and purpose can emerge even from the darkest places. Kenny writes not to romanticise his journey, but to share it honestly, to show how he learned to “hold the pen” of his own life.
Praise for the book has been powerful. Simon Sinek calls Kenny’s story “a hero’s journey”. Bear Grylls calls him “a hero for this generation”. The memoir doesn’t just look back – it offers a lens for understanding and reshaping how we talk about inclusion, justice, and opportunity.
What to Expect from the Lecture
This will be a special day for our Fellowship community – an opportunity to connect, reflect and help shape the IEP’s plans for 2026. Alongside the Lecture, we will be hosting a ‘Looking Ahead’ session, setting out how we plan to work even more closely with our Fellows in the year ahead. There will be opportunities to get involved in new initiatives, events, and activities that align with Fellows’ passions, special interests, and areas of expertise as part of our growing global Fellowship community.
The Fellows Lecture is free and open exclusively to Fellows and we are grateful to our sponsors,Get Set UK and Fedcap for their ongoing support and also to Palladium who are sponsoring the drinks reception.
Reserve your ticket for the Fellows Lecture
Fellows Dinner London
After the Lecture, Fellows and aspiring Fellows are invited to join us for the Fellows Dinner London, sponsored by Clarion Futures.
This will mark our first Fellows Networking Dinner of 2026, taking place in the Judge’s Court Private Room at Browns Brasserie & Bar, Covent Garden. Once the Grade II listed Westminster County Court building, it’s a stunning West End venue combining history, style, and exceptional food.