The annual Powerlist celebrates Black excellence across various industries and recognises the UK’s most powerful people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage
The Powerlist 2026 has named the UK’s most influential Black individuals, recognising those of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage who hold significant power in the UK.
Topping the list is Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director. Kyei is one of the UK’s most senior finance leaders, overseeing financial governance of the £1 trillion balance sheet, funding reforms, and critical national infrastructure upgrades for Payments while advocating for diversity and climate disclosure.
Kyei shared: “It is an incredible honour to be named Number One on the Powerlist in its 20th year. To be recognised alongside so many extraordinary individuals, past and present, is profoundly humbling. 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.
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“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.”
“The Powerlist has been a beacon for two decades, and I am proud to be part of that legacy.”
Second on the list is Ian Wright, a former England and Arsenal footballer turned pundit and advocate for equity in sport. Joining Kyei and Wright in the top 10 are influential figures, such as world-famous makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur Dame Pat McGrath, who founded billion-pound brand Pat McGrath Labs.
Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Steven Bartlett has also made it onto the top 10, alongside actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist Idris Elba OBE. Emma Grede, CEO and Co-Founder of Good American, Founding Partner of SKIMS, also joins them, in addition to Ije Nwokorie, Chief Executive Officer of Dr Martens.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Powerlist, highlighting leaders and pioneers who have made a significant impact by breaking down barriers, redefining success, and inspiring future generations. Tonight, 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, CEO of Powerful Media Ltd, 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 1 feels especially powerful – she embodies the leadership, resilience, and vision that the Powerlist was created to honour.”
Full Powerlist 2026
Top 10
1. Afua Kyei – Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director, Bank of England
2. Ian Wright – Football Legend, Broadcaster & 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 & Case
6. Tunde Olanrewaju – Senior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & 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
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 & Sasha Ellese Gilbert, 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