Britain’s most influential Black figures have been named in the Powerlist 2026.
The list recognises those of African, African Caribbean, and African American descent who wield considerable influence in the UK.
Leading the list is Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s finance chief who is responsible for the financial governance of the £1trn balance sheet, funding reforms, and crucial national infrastructure enhancements for Payments whilst championing diversity and climate disclosure.
She said: “For me, this award is not about personal achievement – it is about representation, visibility, and possibility. I am especially delighted that someone from the public sector and financial services is being recognised in this way.
“When young people see themselves reflected in spaces where they may not have imagined belonging, it changes what they believe is achievable. I hope my journey can encourage others to follow their dreams, pursue their passions, and to believe they can get to the very top”, reports the Mirror.
Ian Wright, the former England and Arsenal footballer turned pundit and advocate for equity in sport, is second on the list.
Joining Kyei and Wright in the top 10 are influential figures such as Dame Pat McGrath, a world-renowned makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur who founded the billion-pound brand Pat McGrath Labs.
Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Steven Bartlett also features in the top 10, along with actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist Idris Elba OBE.
Emma Grede, chief executive and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of SKIMS, is also included, as well as Ije Nwokorie, chief executive of Dr Martens.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Powerlist, which recognises leaders and pioneers who have made a significant impact by breaking down barriers, redefining success, and inspiring future generations.
The honourees will be celebrated at the Powerlist 2026 and Celebration of Black Excellence Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, co-hosted by Jeanette Kwakye MBE and Tim Campbell MBE.
Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, said: “When we launched the Powerlist back in 2006, our aim was simple – to highlight role models whose achievements could inspire others. What has happened over the past twenty years has exceeded anything we imagined.
“It has created visibility, shifted perceptions and, most importantly, shown young Black people that there is no limit to what they can achieve. To mark this 20th anniversary with Afua Kyei at number one feels especially powerful – she embodies the leadership, resilience, and vision that the Powerlist was created to honour.”
Top 10 on Powerlist 2026
1. Afua Kyei – Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Bank of England.
2. Ian Wright – Football Legend, Broadcaster and Advocate for Equity in Sport (New).
3. Dame Pat McGrath – Makeup artist/Founder, Pat McGrath Labs.
4. Pamela Maynard – Chief AI Transformation Officer, Microsoft MCAPS.
5. Joshua Siaw – Partner, White and Case.
6. Tunde Olanrewaju – Senior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey and Company Europe.
7. Steven Bartlett – Entrepreneur and Dragon, Dragon’s Den.
8. Emma Grede – CEO and Co-Founder, Good American; Founding Partner, SKIMS.
9. Idris Elba, OBE – Actor, Filmmaker, Philanthropist.
10. Ije Nwokorie – Chief Executive Officer, Dr Martens PLC.
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Full list (not ranked)
Arts
Alex Dauley, Interior Designer, Dauley Design; Co-Founder, United in Design
Cassa Pancho, Founder, artistic director and CEO, Ballet Black
Ekow Eshun, Cultural commentator, curator, broadcaster, writer
Eva Langret, Director EMEA, Frieze
Grace Wales Bonner, Fashion Designer
Gus Casely-Hayford, Director, V&A East
Hayden Williams, Fashion Illustrator & Designer
Hurvin Anderson, Artist
Maximilian Davis, Creative Director, Ferragamo
Michael Armitage, Artist
Misan Harriman, Photographer, Filmmaker, and Social Activist
Osei Bonsu, Curator and Writer
Samuel Ross MBE, Designer; Artistic Director, 2025 London Design Biennale
Sir Frank Bowling, Artist
Business
Adejoke Bakare, Chef-owner, Chishuru
Alexander and Oliver Kent-Braham, Co-Founders, Marshmallow
Justin Onuekwusi, CIO, St. James’s Place
Aji Akokomi, Founder, Akoko
Anthony Laville, Property developer
Antoine Dixon-Bellot, Entrepreneur
Bolaji Sofoluwe, Managing Director, Enterprise Trade and Knowledge Group
Camille Drummond, Senior Vice President for Finance Business and Technology, BP
Casyo ‘Krept’ Johnson, CEO Nala’s Baby skincare
Claudia Osei-Nsafoah, Chief People Officer, Sky
Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, Co-founder at Redington, Mallowstreet and 10,000 Interns Foundation
Eros Marshall, Head of UK Financial Institutions, Europe & UK Asset Management, Banking & International, Citigroup
Frank Okoisor, Executive Chairman, Toyota Connected Europe; Global Deputy Chief People Officer, Toyota Connected Group
Funmi Adegoke, CEO, Safety Sector, Halma plc
Gavin Lewis, Managing Director, Head of UK & Ireland Institutional, BlackRock
Georgia Wilson, Group CFO, Together Group
Hannah Reid, People Director, EMEIA, Apple
John McCalla-Leacy, Head of Global Environment, Social & Governance (ESG), KPMG International, and ESG Vice Chairman, KPMG UK
Kene Ejikeme, Partner, Head of High Touch Execution in EMEA, Goldman Sachs
Kojo Boakye, Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, Middle East and Turkey, Meta
Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Global Head of Economics, Cross-Asset and Quant Research at Société Generale Corporate and Investment Banking (SGCIB)
Magnus Djaba, Chief Client Officer, Publicis Groupe
Monica Meade, Global Head of Audit for Technology, Real-Time Payments, and Transfer Solutions, Mastercard
Ola Fadipe, Senior Director, People Experience, Google
Tevin Tobun, CEO, GV Group (Gate Ventures) and ROUTD
Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Partner, Alitheia Capital
Tosin Akinluyi, Managing Director, Head of EMEA Macro Research (Fixed Income Research and Economics), Morgan Stanley
Yemi Edun, Founder and CEO, Daniel Ford & Co and Daniel Ford International
Media, Publishing, Entertainment & Sport
Afua Hirsch, Journalist, Author, Broadcaster
Alex Scott MBE Ex-England footballer, TV presenter
Andrea Thompson, Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire
Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu, Rapper, Writer, Director, Producer
Anne Mensah, Vice President Content UK, Netflix
Austin Daboh, Executive Vice President UK; President of Black Music, Atlantic Records
Bernadine Evaristo, Writer; Professor of Creative Writing, Brunel
Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content, British Vogue
Cynthia Erivo, Actress
Damson Idris, Actor and producer
Debbie Ramsay Editor, Channel 5 News
DJ AG, Street DJ, Cultural Curator & Viral Pioneer
Dominic Carter, Executive Vice President, Publisher, The Sun
Glyn Aikins, Co-President, RCA UK and Since 93
Joivan Wade and Percelle Ascott (Wall of Entertainment), Co-Founders, Wall of Entertainment
Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief, ELLE UK
Koby ‘Post’ Hagan, Founder, GRM (Grime and Rap Music) Daily
KSI, Influencer, Musician, Entrepreneur
Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe, Founder, Melissa’s Wardrobe and It’s a Lifestyle Hun
Patricia Bright, Digital Content Creator and Entrepreneur
Riki Bleau, Founder and Co-President, Since ’93
Safiya Lambie-Knight, Head of Music Partnerships, Spotify Northern Europe
Sheniece Charway, Head of Black Music and Culture EMEA, YouTube
Stormzy, Grime artist and philanthropist
Politics, Law & Religion
Harry Matovu, Barrister and King’s Counsel
Jacqueline McKenzie, Specialist Windrush solicitor, Partner, Leigh Day
Sandra Wallace, Deputy Managing Partner & Managing Director Practice Groups, DLA Piper International
Sandra Paul, Partner, Kingsley Napley
Segun Osuntokun, Partner in Charge UK, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Public & Third Sector
Andrew Fairbairn, Co-Chair and Co-Founder, SEO London; Executive Vice President, SEO USA
Comfort Ero, President & CEO, Crisis Group
Eva Omaghomi, Founder, Forster Jones & Associates; community engagement adviser to King Charles
Ian Thomas, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, City of London Corporation
Professor Patricia Kingori, Senior Investigator, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford
Raphael Sofoluke, Entrepreneur, speaker and founder, Black Business Show
Science, Medicine & Engineering
Dr Emmanuel Ako, Consultant Cardiologist
Gisela Abbam, Chair, General Pharmaceutical Council & Senior Director, Government Affairs, Revvity
Joy Odili, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Martin Griffiths, Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon, Barts NHS Health Trust & National Clinical Director for Violence Reduction, NHS England
Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director, Office
