Karen Thorpe-Reid

In the Press

Selected coverage of the work, the rooms and the conversations — from convening women change-makers in London to a profile written one hundred feet above the Thames.

Newspaper coverage from The Nation dated 10 September 2001, showing Karen Thorpe and the Shell Customer Service Centre based in Barbados, which supported the Caribbean and Central America — Karen Thorpe at the Shell Customer Service Centre, photographed for The Nation in September 2001.
Print archive · 10 September 2001

The Nation — The Business Authority

Shell opens service centre

Coverage of the opening of Shell Antilles Guianas Limited’s US$1 million Customer Service Centre at Mahogany Court, Wildey, Barbados. The regional centre consolidated nine local offices and served more than 800 clients across Barbados and eight other Caribbean territories. Karen Thorpe managed the centre, having previously worked at Shell customer service centres in Britain — a moment many will recognise from the pages of People at the Heart of Change.

“Eastmond and Thorpe checking the operations of the Shell Customer Service Centre. The centre serves over 800 clients from nine regions, including Barbados.”

10 September 2001

Barbados TODAY

Bajan ladies look to maintain identity

A feature on Barbados Heritage (UK) — founded by Sara Sewell, Catherine Rock-Jackson and Karen Thorpe-Reid — and its work connecting second- and third-generation Barbadians in the UK with their culture, identity and traditions.

“We must re-engage with all generations and encourage them to come together, particularly with the younger members, and show that Barbados and Barbadians have things of which they can be justly proud to retain.”

31 October 2019

Two-page spread in The Nation covering the Change Makers — The Women's Edit workshop at Somerset House Studios. — The Nation (UK Edition) — 2 December 2022

The Nation (UK Edition)

Change Makers empowering black women

An all-day Change Makers — The Women's Edit workshop at Somerset House Studios, convened by Karen and her fellow founders, connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences.

“Creating a table can sometimes be the only way to secure a seat. We created Premier Angels initially as four women who manifested the dream and made it happen.”

2 December 2022

Newspaper feature in The Nation's Diaspora section profiling businesswoman Karen Thorpe-Reid. — The Nation — Diaspora — 23 July 2018

The Nation — Diaspora

Dining in the sky taking off

A profile of Karen Thorpe-Reid, from Barbadian roots to leading customer service across fifteen islands, keynote speaking and building businesses — reported one hundred feet above central London.

“In the sky,” she said, with an air of nonchalance. In minutes, we reached our destination above nearby buildings, and had a panoramic view of the London Eye.

23 July 2018

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