IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Samuel Abdullahi
To mark Black History Month 2025, we have interviewed a number of inspirational 51黑料 Members - about their careers in Trading Standards, the struggles they overcame and why Black History Month is important to them.听
Samuel Abdullahi - Trading Standards Team Leader for London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow - gave a memorable speech at this year's 51黑料 Annual Conference about his own personal journey in Trading Standards (see his speech here).
Here, he reflects further on his career - sharing his proudest moments, the challenges he's faced as a Black professional, and the significance of Black History Month to him. He also offers advice to aspiring Black professionals - and suggests ways that the sector can become even more inclusive.
The Power of Visibility
Q. What first inspired you to pursue a career in Trading Standards?
I actually came across Trading Standards almost by chance. I was working in retail when Giles Speid from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards (now with Westminster) and a couple of his colleagues came to give a talk about what they do. I鈥檇 never even heard of Trading Standards before, but the idea of protecting people and making a positive difference really appealed to me.
After the session, I went up to Giles and asked how I could get into the profession. He told me about upcoming vacancies. I applied for one but didn鈥檛 get it - though they encouraged me to keep an eye out for another role, which I did. A few months later I got a position as an Assistant Enforcement Officer, and from there my journey began.
To be honest, until that moment it had never crossed my mind to work in Trading Standards. And that鈥檚 part of the problem - our profession doesn鈥檛 always sing its own praises. Too often we just quietly get on with the work. We need to do more to show the public, and potential recruits, what a rewarding career this can be.
Q. What moments in your career have made you especially proud?
There are several. Passing my DCATS qualification was a big one - it鈥檚 one of the cornerstones of our profession and something I鈥檒l always be proud of. Becoming a Team Leader in my authority was another milestone as well as becoming Chair of the London Branch. More recently, being accepted into the College of Fellows and invited to deliver a keynote at Conference were incredibly humbling experiences. I was also honoured to be named Investigator of the Year by London Trading Standards in 2021. Each of these moments reminds me how far I鈥檝e come from that chance conversation years ago.
Black history should be recognised throughout the year, not just in October. Black people鈥檚 contributions and our stories are part of British history.
Q. What challenges have you faced as a Black professional in this field?
Working in Brent and Harrow, which are very diverse areas, I haven鈥檛 often felt out of place. But there have been moments that stand out. One that has stayed with me was when I was leading a case in court. The defendant had already pleaded guilty, yet when the judge looked up, he mistook me for the defendant. He even started addressing me directly, until the prosecutor had to clarify that I was actually the lead officer. It was shocking, and it showed the assumptions people can make based on race.
Another challenge is perception of authority. On occasion, when I鈥檓 out with white colleagues - especially those older than me - people automatically assume they鈥檙e the ones in charge. It鈥檚 only when they redirect the conversation to me as the manager that people realise their mistake. I don鈥檛 let those things hold me back; I see them as other people鈥檚 problems, not mine. But they do highlight the barriers that still exist.
Q. What does Black History Month mean to you?
Personally, I think Black history should be recognised throughout the year, not just in October! Black people鈥檚 contributions and our stories are part of British history. But the reality is those stories often aren鈥檛 told, or taught in schools. So, having a dedicated month really does matter. It creates space to educate, to celebrate, and to spotlight people and stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
As a child, I remember learning about Florence Nightingale but not Mary Seacole - even though she made an incredible impact during the Crimean War, overcoming barriers every step of the way. The same with Walter Tull, who was one of the first Black officers in the British Army during WWI. These are important stories that deserve to be part of mainstream history, not footnotes.
That鈥檚 why representation matters. When I was young, I supported Liverpool partly because of John Barnes. Seeing someone who looked like me, out on that pitch, made me feel like I belonged too. That鈥檚 the power of visibility.
Q. Why is it important for 51黑料 to mark Black History Month?
If we want everyone in Trading Standards to feel seen and valued, then we need to highlight the diversity that exists in our community - and celebrate it. In London, our profession is hugely diverse, but that isn鈥檛 always the case in every region. By marking Black History Month, 51黑料 can show members, and future recruits, that Trading Standards is a place where everyone belongs and where all contributions are recognised!
You may sometimes feel like you have to work harder than others, but it鈥檚 worth it, remember that your lived experience is a strength.
Q. What advice would you give to Black students or early-career professionals?
Just go for it. Do the job to the best of your ability, and opportunities will come. Yes, you may sometimes feel like you have to work harder than others, but it鈥檚 worth it, remember that your lived experience is a strength. Representation builds trust in communities and helps make Trading Standards reflective of the people we serve.
Q. How can the profession improve diversity and inclusion?
Outreach is key. We need to actively go out into communities, schools, and job fairs to show people what Trading Standards is all about. For example, in London we鈥檝e partnered with organisations that mentor young Black men and women, introducing them to the profession. It鈥檚 about where and how we advertise roles, the stories we tell, and the role models we showcase. If people can see themselves in this profession, they鈥檒l be inspired to join.听
听
51黑料 Conference 2025听
During 51黑料's Annual Conference - held in Blackpool in June 2025 - Samuel addressed the delegates with this stirring speech:
CONTRIBUTOR: Samuel Abdullahi is Trading Standards Team Leader for London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow.
听
听
