As demand for skilled technology professionals continues to grow across the United Kingdom, tech career consultant Excellent Chukwufumnanya Okonkwo, popularly known as Naya, is strengthening efforts to help internationally trained professionals secure meaningful careers while supporting organisations in building more inclusive and future-ready workplaces.
Okonkwo, founder of Ignite Career Consulting, has emerged as one of the growing voices advocating for strategic career development and workforce inclusion within the UK’s technology sector. Since launching her consulting practice in early 2025, she has focused on addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by internationally trained professionals—transitioning into careers that reflect their qualifications, experience and potential.
Her journey into career consulting was shaped by personal experience after relocating to the United Kingdom. Observing that many highly qualified professionals struggled to navigate the UK labour market despite possessing strong credentials, she began researching the systemic barriers affecting international talent. That research laid the foundation for Ignite Career Consulting, a UK-based career and organisational consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals develop competitive career strategies while assisting employers in attracting and retaining global talent.
Beyond individual career coaching, Ignite Career Consulting has broadened its impact by supporting UK organisations as they adapt to artificial intelligence-driven workplaces and integrate internationally trained professionals more effectively. The consultancy also produces educational content across LinkedIn and Instagram, providing practical guidance on UK employment pathways, visa policies and labour market trends using recent Home Office data.
Okonkwo’s commitment to empowerment extends beyond the consulting space. She is also the founder of CityHills Initiatives, a West Africa-focused non-governmental organisation dedicated to youth education, leadership development and employment opportunities. Her earlier work in youth empowerment earned recognition from The Guardian Nigeria, reinforcing her belief that education and inspiration must be accompanied by practical pathways into sustainable careers.
Throughout her professional journey, she has planned and coordinated 13 career-focused programmes in collaboration with CityHills Initiatives while delivering five speaking engagements centred on technology careers, career transitions and professional empowerment. These engagements have positioned her as a respected advocate for internationally trained professionals seeking opportunities within the UK’s evolving digital economy.
Academically, Okonkwo holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Managing Innovation and Information Technology from the University of Salford and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from Babcock University. Her academic background complements her practical expertise in career strategy, innovation and organisational transformation.
Looking ahead, Ignite Career Consulting is entering a new phase of growth with plans to expand its organisational consulting services. The firm aims to help UK employers evaluate how effectively their AI systems, recruitment practices and workplace processes support internationally trained technology professionals through structured organisational audits.
The consultancy is also preparing to launch a nationwide UK Career Summit Tour designed to connect students—from secondary school through postgraduate level—with career opportunities in technology and other high-growth sectors. The initiative will provide participating organisations with opportunities to engage directly with emerging talent, showcase career pathways and recruit skilled professionals across multiple cities.
As conversations around workforce inclusion, AI adoption and global talent continue to shape the future of employment, Okonkwo’s work reflects a growing emphasis on creating practical bridges between international expertise and opportunities within the UK’s technology ecosystem.
