Ariatu PR Founder, Ronke Lawal is an award-winning entrepreneur, PR & Comms Specialist, event moderator speaker and personal branding coach. She consults individual clients from a range of professional and creative sectors on PR strategy, crisis management and harnessing their personal brand identities; and facilitating training in personal branding, PR strategy and holistic media training.
In January 2010, Ronke became the Chief Executive of the Islington Chamber of Commerce where she remained until the end of 2012. She joined the board of Trustees of Voluntary Action Islington in 2012 and was on The Employers Panel for the National Employment Savings Trust from 2011-18. In 2018 she became a director on the board of directors at the Charted Institute of Public Relations. She has been a mentor for The Cherie Blair Foundation, The "Success Looks Like You" Initiative and The BME PR Pros initiative as well as a mentor to entrepreneurs and creatives in a range of sectors.
In 2010 Ronke was named as one of the Top 400 women of the year in the UK for her work with the Islington Chamber of Commerce. In 2011 Ronke was honoured to receive a Precious Award for Inspirational Leadership. In 2019 Ronke received an alumni award from Lancaster University for making a substantial contribution to her field of work and developed an outstanding reputation among her peers. In 2020 Ronke won the award for PR & Comms Influencer of the Year at the Vuelio online influence awards.
In 2021 Ronke became a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce). In 2022 she was appointed as an honorary professor of entrepreneurship and strategy at The Lancaster University Management School. In 2024 Ronke was appointed Chair of the Black Women in Comms group for the UK Black Comms Network. She is currently an Everywoman associate, facilitating training seminars for corporate professionals in major companies around the world. In 2025 she was listed as one of the UK Top Fifty Black Women in Media Gamechangers and was listed as the 7th most influential person in advertising and PR in the UK.
A dynamic and influential voice in the worlds of PR strategy, personal branding and event moderation, she is a passionate champion for enterprise, equality, and equity. Her work is deeply rooted in a commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive leadership, helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through authentic, purpose-driven visibility. With a strong background in communications and a natural flair for storytelling, she empowers leaders to shape powerful personal brands that stand out in today’s crowded marketplace. Her expertise and engaging presence have made her a sought-after speaker and moderator at major events, where she facilitates thought-provoking conversations that drive impact. Regularly featured across various media platforms, she offers sharp, insightful commentary on topics ranging from business trends and leadership to pop culture and current affairs. Whether she’s coaching high-performing professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs, crafting brand strategies or leading panels and hosting conferences with charisma and clarity, she brings a unique blend of insight, passion and presence. Known for her strategic mind and authentic voice, she continues to inspire audiences and clients alike, positioning herself as a leading force at the intersection of media, leadership, and personal growth. If you’re looking to elevate your brand or amplify your message, she’s the expert you want by your side.
Her varied passions outside the business world include; TV (The Office, The Golden Girls), films (including Buster, Eddie Murphy’s pre 2000 body of work and pretty much anything by Pedro Almodovar), pop culture, shoes as an art form, food (mainly yam, plantain, efo riro and chillies), travel, music (mainly Shina Peters, Sade, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Lionel Richie and Sting), literature and most importantly living a life that she loves.