Nathaniel Peat is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse range of talents and achievements. He is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker (including TEDx), martial artist, and also a pilot. Nathaniel is best known as the founder of The Safety Box®, a highly acclaimed social enterprise that focuses on reducing youth violence and fostering essential skills like leadership, communication, and conflict resolution among young people in custody and the community.
In addition to his role at The Safety Box®, Nathaniel is also involved in various other impactful ventures. He is a Patron and co-founder of the EY Foundation, Chairman of the Brunel Business School Advisory Board, Chairman of Jamaicans Inspired (a Jamaican Diaspora organization), and co-founder of GeNNex Solar, an innovative renewable energy company operating in Africa and the Caribbean.
Nathaniel actively contributes to media platforms, regularly sharing his insights on social issues related to youth, gender equality, youth crime, entrepreneurship, and renewable energy. He has also represented the youth perspective as a delegate in prestigious international meetings and conferences, including G20 YES, EU, and similar gatherings.
Nathaniel's remarkable journey of success began in 2007 when he became the first double award winner of the Enterprising Young Brits competition. The following year, he gained further recognition as a winner of the BBC's The Last Millionaire TV series, where he and 11 other young entrepreneurs were challenged to start businesses from scratch in various cities around the world.
Throughout his career, Nathaniel has received numerous accolades and honours. He was included in the Courvoisier Observers Future 500 Next Generation List in 2009 and spoke at Jamaica's first Youth Diaspora conference held by the Government of Jamaica in the same year. In 2010, Nathaniel represented Great Britain as a youth delegate at the G20 Toronto Young Entrepreneur's Summit. He was also featured in the 2011 Black Power List, which recognizes the most influential black individuals in Britain under the age of 40.
Nathaniel's contributions have been recognised by esteemed institutions and individuals. He received an honorary alumnus award from Brunel University in 2011 and played a key role in connecting the Diana Princess of Wales memorial charity (Diana Award) to Jamaica in 2012. His networking skills were even acknowledged by Sir Richard Branson in his book "Like a Virgin: The Secrets They Don't Teach You at Business School." Nathaniel received the Universal Peace Federation Youth Achievement Award in 2013 and was selected by Virgin Unite to attend a leadership gathering on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson in 2015. He was also honoured with the Jamaican Governor General Award for Excellence in the same year by Sir Patrick Linton Allen ON GCMG CD KStJ.
Nathaniel's impact extends beyond his national borders. In 2016, he was listed in the UK Financial Times' Upstanding Top 100 black ethnic minority executives in the USA, UK, and Ireland, ranking 17th in the top 20. He was included in the UK Black Powerlist and BAME 100 Top Board Index List in 2017.
In recent years, Nathaniel has continued to make significant strides. He became a Patron of the EY Foundation in 2018 and was invited to become a Fellow of St. George's House at Windsor Castle. Nathaniel was featured in Forbes magazine in 2019 and received an Honorary Fellowship from Brunel University. In 2020 and again in 2023 he assumed the role of Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the South UK and became a consultative advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (Jamaica). He currently serves as the Chairman of Brunel Business School and is a member of the Black Advisory Board for Lloyds Banking Group, contributing to the implementation of their Race Action Plan. Nathaniel's involvement also includes high-level stakeholder meetings and advisory roles for the learning and development programs for the Metropolitan Police as part of the Mayor's Race Action Plan for policing transparency, accountability, and trust.
In 2022, Nathaniel received the Royal Air Force BLAC award for his social enterprise, The Safety Box, and had the distinguished honour of being invited to the funeral of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, alongside 500 world leaders. In 2023, he received the SME News Business Awards and The London Chamber of Commerce Black Excellence award, sharing the recognition with other notable individuals such as Musician Jazzie B OBE, Former athletes Dame Denise Lewis DBE, Linford Christie OBE, Christine Ijeoma Ohuruo MBE, and Musician Omar Christopher Lye-Fook MBE.
Nathaniel's life serves as an inspiration to many, and he remains deeply connected to the community he serves. He is internationally recognized as a speaker, youth advocate, and ambassador for various social causes, particularly racial equality. Nathaniel's ongoing commitment to making a positive impact ensures that his influence will continue to inspire others for years to come.
