Nilema Bhakta-Jones  

Nilema Bhakta-Jones is a multi-award-winning executive, former CEO, COO and General Counsel, and the co-founder and CEO of Courageous Leaders. With over 30 years’ experience spanning global corporates, private-equity-backed businesses, listed organisations and start-ups, she is known for her rare ability to bridge law, leadership, and commercial strategy. In her 26 years Squiggly career in law Nilema regularly mentored, led social mobility programmes and championed young rising lawyers. 

Nilema now works with senior leadership teams to help them lead through complexity, disruption and uncertainty, through coaching, mentoring and team effectiveness facilitation. 

She designs and facilitates leadership programmes that blend evidence-based research, psychology, creativity, and practical business discipline. Her work helps legal and professional services leaders move beyond technical excellence to become confident, courageous, human-centred leaders.

Nilema is also a Non-Executive Director at Empathy Week,  and recognised as a DEI Executive Role model. She founded an annual thought-leadership event, called Courageous Leaders, donating the net proceeds to an award winning education project for marginalised girls in Zimbabwe. Her work is values-driven and underpinned by a strong philanthropic commitment.