The Powerlist is a list of the 100 most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the United Kingdom. The list is updated annually and has been published in book format by Powerful Media since 2007. The Powerlist is not limited to British-born citizens and includes immigrants to the UK.
| List of the 100 most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the UK | |
| Publication details | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Powerful Media |
| First published | 2007 |
| Latest publication | October 27, 2023 |
| Powerlist 2024 | |
| Most Influential | Edward Enninful |
| Powerlist website Powerful Media publisher website | |
History and methodology
editThe list was first created in 2007 by Michael Eboda, then editor of the New Nation, a weekly newspaper published in the UK for the Black British community, as a way to profile and celebrate influential Black Britons, and inspire and influence the next generation.[1] The first Powerlist was compiled after six months of research and debate where 400 people of influence were whittled down to 50 women and 50 men, then ranked into respective top tens with the results announced in August 2007.[2] During the first few editions, separate top 10 rankings were produced for both Female and Male candidates and top ranking individuals could continue to be ranked the following year.[3] From 2012 the 50 highest rated nominees, along with updates on the previous year's Powerlistees from rank 2–100, are then ranked by an independent panel in the summer, with the list being produced each autumn. Each year's highest-ranking individual is added to the Powerlist Hall of Fame[4][5]
Hall of Fame
editA list of every Powerlist highest ranking individual.
| Year | Portrait | Name | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dean Forbes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital | |
| 2024 | Edward Enninful | Editor | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Condé Nast | |
| 2023 |  |
Dame Sharon White | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair, John Lewis Partnership |
| 2022 |  |
Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft |
| 2021 |  |
Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Seven-time World Champion Formula One driver |
| 2020 |  |
Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | founder & chairman of WorldRemit |
| 2019 |  |
Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 2018 |  |
Gina Miller | Businessperson & Activist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Activist known for her work challenging Brexit |
| 2017 |  |
Tom Ilube, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation |
| 2016 |  |
Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London |
| 2015 | Karen Blackett, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of MediaCom UK | |
| 2014 |  |
Malorie Blackman, OBE | Author | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Writer of over 60 children's books and Children's Laureate |
| 2013 |  |
Sir David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & design | Designer of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC |
| 2012 |  |
Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 2011 | |
Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 2010 |  |
Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
| 2008 (Male) |  |
Dr. Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| 2008 (Female) | |
Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
| 2007 (Male) | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira | |
| 2007 (Female) | |
Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
2020s
edit2025 Powerlist Rankings
editPublished in October 2024, Dean Forbes, the CEO of Forterro and a Partner at Corten Capital, was named as the UK's most influential black person for its 19th edition.[6]
Top 10
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dean Forbes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital |
| 2 | Bernard Mensah | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | President of international, Bank of America; Chief executive officer, MLI |
| 3 | Afua Kyei | Financial executive | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Financial Officer, Bank of England |
| 4 | Emma Grede | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief executive officer and Co-Founder, Good American; Founding Partner, Skims |
| 5 | Joshua Siaw, MBE | Lawyer | Politics, Law and Religion | Partner, White & Case |
| 6 | Tunde Olanrewaju | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Senior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company |
| 7 | Alexander and Oliver Kent-Braham | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founders, Marshmallow |
| 8 | Adejoké Bakare | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chef-owner, Chishuru, Michelin-starred restaurant |
| 9 | Justin Onuekwusi | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief investment officer, St James’s Place |
| 10 | Pamela Maynard | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief AI transformation officer, Microsoft |
2024 Powerlist Rankings
editPublished in October 2023, former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful OBE, was named as the UK's most influential black person for its 18th edition.[7][8][9]
Top 10
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edward Enninful, OBE | Editor | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Condé Nast |
| 2 | Dean Forbes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital |
| 3 | Afua Kyei | Financial executive | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Financial Officer, Bank of England |
| 4 | Marvin Rees | Politician | Public, Third Sector and Education | Mayor of Bristol |
| 5 | Tunde Olanrewaju | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Senior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company |
| 6 | Joshua Siaw, MBE | Lawyer | Politics, Law and Religion | Partner, White & Case |
| 7 | Syreeta Brown | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Group Chief People and Communications Officer, Virgin Money UK |
| 8 | Paulette Simpson, CBE | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Executive, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Jamaica National Bank; Executive Director, The Voice Media Group |
| 9 | Vanessa Kingori, CBE | Publisher | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Chief Business Officer, Condé Nast Britain, Vogue European Business Advisor |
| 10 | Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford | Politician and Activist | Public, Third Sector and Education | Co-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge |
2023 Powerlist Rankings
editPublished in October 2022, the 2023 Powerlist Top 10 was dominated by business people. Once again the panel of judges was led by retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs, and also included former Powerlister and winner of the first series of The Apprentice, Tim Campbell.[10][11][12]
Top 10
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dame Sharon White | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair, John Lewis Partnership |
| 2 | Dean Forbes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital |
| 3 | Anne Mensah | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Vice-president of Content UK, Netflix |
| 4 | Tunde Olanrewaju | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Senior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company |
| 5 | Steven Bartlett | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Founder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons' Den |
| 6 | David Olusoga, OBE | Historian, Writer, Broadcaster | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Broadcaster & Joint Creative Director of Uplands Television Ltd |
| 7 | Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford | Politician and Activist | Public, Third Sector and Education | Co-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge |
| 8 | Paulette Simpson, CBE | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Executive, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Jamaica National Bank; Executive Director, The Voice Media Group |
| 9 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner, Vice Chair, KPMG |
| 10 | Dr Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | General Counsel, Standard Chartered Bank |
2022 Powerlist Rankings
editPublished in October 2021, the panel of judges was led by retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs and included former Powerlister Matthew Ryder QC.[13][14][15]
Top 10
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft |
| 2 | Marcus Rashford | Footballer | Sports | England and Manchester United footballer, and campaigner against child poverty and racism |
| 3 | Anne Mensah | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Vice-president of Content UK, Netflix |
| 4 | Daniel Kaluuya | Actor | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Oscar and Golden Globe winning actor for portrayal of the Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah |
| 5 | Prof. Kevin Fenton | Public-Health Leader | Science, Medicine & Engineering | London regional director at Public Health England, who has played a key role highlighting COVID-19 and inequality |
| 6 | Steven Bartlett | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Founder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons' Den |
| 7 | Michaela Coel | Actor, Screenwriter, Director and Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Creator, co-director and producer of BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You |
| 8 | Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford | Politician and Activist | Public, Third Sector and Education | Co-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge |
| 9 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
| 10 | Jacqueline McKenzie | Human Rights Lawyer | Politics, Law and Religion | Director at Centre for Migration Advice and Research and McKenzie, Beute and Pope |
2021 Powerlist Rankings
editThe 2021 Powerlist came in a year in which public debate on racial injustice had increased, with the Black Lives Matter movement and global protests against police brutality. Therefore, chief executive Michael Eboda decided that the 14th Powerlist would honour those who have used their voice to advocate against racial injustice.[16] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the awards were held virtually on November 17, 2020, and hosted by Kwame Kwei-Armah, OBE.[17] The event was held in partnership with J. P. Morgan who announced they would invest £2 million in support of London non-profit organisations headed by black and minority ethnic leaders; further sponsors included PricewaterhouseCoopers, Facebook, and Linklaters.[18][19] The independent panel of judges named Sir Lewis Hamilton as the most influential due to both his sporting excellence and his advocacy in light of the BLM movement; additional highlights of the Top 10 included Prof. Kevin Fenton and Dame Donna Kinnair for their work fighting against COVID-19.[20][21]
Top 10
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Seven-time World Champion Formula One driver |
| 2 | Prof. Kevin Fenton | Public-Health Leader | Public, Third Sector and Education | Regional Director, Public Health England London |
| 3 | Stormzy | Grime Artist | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Award-winning Musician |
| 4 | Michaela Coel | Actor, Screenwriter, Director and Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Creator, co-director and producer of BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You |
| 5 | Edward Enninful, OBE | Editor-in-Chief | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue |
| 6 | Dame Donna Kinnair | Public-Health Leader & Nurse | Public, Third Sector and Education | CEO & General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing |
| 7 | Jacqueline McKenzie | Human Rights Lawyer | Politics, Law and Religion | Director at Centre for Migration Advice and Research and McKenzie, Beute and Pope |
| 8 | David Olusoga, OBE | Historian, Writer, Broadcaster | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Historian and TV presenter |
| 9 | Afua Hirsch | Writer, Broadcaster, and Former Barrister | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Journalist for The Guardian, author and broadcaster |
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
2020 Powerlist
editThe 13th annual Powerlist was judged by a panel chaired by Dame Linda Dobbs and published in October 2019; sponsored by J.P. Morgan & Co., PwC, Linklaters and The Executive Leadership Council.[22][23][24][25]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & chairman of WorldRemit |
| 2 | Dame Pat McGrath | Make-up Artist | Arts, Fashion & design | Founder of Pat McGrath Labs |
| 3 | Michael Sherman | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief strategy and transformation officer at BT Group |
| 4 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft |
| 5 | Stormzy | Grime Artist | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Award-winning Musician |
| 6 | Edward Enninful, OBE | Editor-in-Chief | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue |
| 7 | Ebele Okobi | Public Policy Director | Technology | Public policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, Facebook |
| 8 | Paulette Rowe | Businessperson | Technology | Global Head, Payments and Financial Services Partnerships, Facebook |
| 9 | Lynette Yiadom-Boakye | Artist | Arts, Fashion & design | Award-winning Painter |
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
2010s
edit2019 Rankings
editThe 2019 Rankings were released in October 2018 and saw Meghan, Duchess of Sussex included in the list for the first time and named Ric Lewis as the most influential individual.[26][27][28]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 2 | Dame Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 3 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit |
| 4 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital and information officer at HMRC |
| 5 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Senior VP and general counsel at the World Bank Group |
| 6 | Ebele Okobi | Public Policy Director | Technology | Public policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, Facebook |
| 7 | Funmi Olonisakin | Professor | Public, Third Sector & Education | Professor of Leadership studies, peace and conflict at King's College London |
| 8 | Paulette Rowe | Businessperson | Technology | Global Head, Payments and Financial Services Partnerships, Facebook |
| 9 | Edward Enninful, OBE | Editor-in-Chief | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue |
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
2018 Rankings
editThe 2018 Rankings were released in October 2017 and saw Gina Miller named as the most influential black person in the UK. The list was compiled by a panel that included Dame Linda Dobbs and Tim Campbell and over half of the 100 people on this year's list were women.[29][30]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gina Miller | Businessperson & Activist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Activist known for her work challenging Brexit |
| 2 | Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 3 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit |
| 4 | Dame Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 5 | Nira Chamberlain | Professional Mathematician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Member of Institute of Mathematics and its Applications |
| 6 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital and information officer at HMRC |
| 7 | Sandra Wallace | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | UK managing partner, DLA Piper |
| 8 | Prof. Laura Serrant | Academic in Nursing | Public, Third Sector & Education | Professor of Nursing, Sheffield Hallam University |
| 9 | Dr Shirley J Thompson | Composer | Public, Third Sector & Education | Music composer, visionary and cultural activist |
| 10 | Edward Enninful, OBE | Editor-in-Chief | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue |
2017 Rankings
editThe 2017 Powerlist marked the 10th anniversary of the event, with a keynote speech made by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan were released in October 2016 and named as the most influential black person in the UK. The list was decided by an independent panel led by former high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs.[31][32][33]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Ilube, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation |
| 2 | Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 3 | Arlene Isaacs-Lowe | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Head of Relationship Management, EMEA, Moody's |
| 4 | Sir Lenny Henry | Actor, comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief |
| 5 | Sir Mo Farah, CBE | Professional Athlete | Sports | Four-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games |
| 6 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Three-time Formula 1 World Champion |
| 7 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit |
| 8 | Dr Shirley J Thompson | Composer | Public, Third Sector & Education | Music composer, visionary and cultural activist |
| 9 | Dame Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 10 | Sir Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Multiple award-winning Director |
2016 Rankings
editThe 2016 Powerlist named Sir Ken Olisa, OBE at the most influential Black Briton for his charitable work and his achievement becoming the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.[34][35][36]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London |
| 2 | Sir Lenny Henry | Actor, comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief |
| 3 | Dame Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 4 | Sir Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Multiple award-winning Director |
| 5 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Three-time Formula 1 World Champion |
| 6 | Baroness Lawrence, OBE | Campaigner | Public, Third Sector & Education | Justice campaigner |
| 7 | Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE | Space Scientist | Public, Third Sector & Education | Space scientist and science educator, University College London |
| 8 | Sir Mo Farah, CBE | Professional Athlete | Sports | Two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games |
| 9 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global general counsel of HSBC Asset Management |
| 10 | Adrian Joseph | Businessperson | Technology | Director, Enterprise Analytics Services, EMEA Google |
2015 Rankings
editThe 2015 Powerlist was announced in November 2014 and took place in the Lord Mayor of London's residence, with a keynote speech given by then Home Secretary, Theresa May.[37] The list named Karen Blackett, OBE as the most influential Black Briton, marking her as the first black businesswoman to be awarded the accolade and also saw two people ranked in both third & eighth position.[38]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karen Blackett, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of MediaCom UK |
| 2 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London |
| =3 | Chuka Umunna | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP |
| =3 | Helen Grant | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Minister for Sport & Tourism & Conservative MP |
| 4 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global general counsel of HSBC Asset Management |
| 5 | Sir Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Artist & director of 12 Years a Slave |
| 6 | Matthew Ryder QC | Barrister | Public, Third Sector & Education | Barrister specialising in complex criminal cases and civil litigation |
| 7 | Dame Sharon White | Civil Servant | Public, Third Sector & Education | Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury |
| =8 | Sir Lenny Henry | Actor, comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief |
| =8 | Idris Elba | Actor & producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
| 9 | Adrian Joseph | Businessperson | Technology | Director, Enterprise Analytics Services, EMEA Google |
| 10 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Three-time Formula 1 World Champion |
2014 Rankings
editAn independent panel of five judges, headed by management consultant Vivian Hunt and including business executive Olakunle Babarinde, ranked the 100 most influential Black Britons on merit with children's author Malorie Blackman, OBE first in the yearly ranking.[39][40]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malorie Blackman, OBE | Author | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Writer of over 60 children's books and Children's Laureate |
| 2 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Restoration Partners |
| 3 | Matthew Ryder QC | Barrister | Public, Third Sector & Education | Barrister specialising in complex criminal cases and civil litigation |
| 4 | Sir Mo Farah, MBE | Athlete | Sports | Olympic Gold Medalist |
| 5 | Karen Blackett, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of MediaCom UK |
| =6 | Chuka Umunna | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham |
| =6 | Adam Afriyie | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Conservative MP for Windsor |
| 7 | Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence, OBE | Activist | Public, Third Sector & Education | Director of the Stephen Lawrence Trust |
| =8 | Idris Elba | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
| 9 | Sir Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Artist & director of 12 Years a Slave |
| 10 | Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE | Space Scientist | Public, Third Sector & Education | Academic researcher at University College London |
2013 Rankings
editThe sixth annual Powerlist edition was announced in October 2012, ranking Britons who have "the ability to alter events and change lives in a positive way" and 20,000 hard copies were distributed to schools across the UK.[41]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & design | Designer of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC |
| 2 | Dame Pat McGrath | Make-up Artist | Arts, Fashion & design | Founder of Pat McGrath Labs |
| 3 | Sir Mo Farah, MBE | Athlete | Sports | Olympic Gold Medalist |
| 4 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Restoration Partners & Non-executive chairman of Thomson Reuters |
| 5 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 6 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global General Counsel of Barings LLC |
| 7 | Karen Blackett, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of MediaCom UK |
| 8 | Chuka Umunna | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham |
| 9 | John Sentamu, Baron Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 10 | Idris Elba | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
2012 Rankings
editThe 2012 Powerlist edition was announced in November 2011, and the judging panel was chaired by Baroness Amos. For the second year running, it ranked Tidjane Thiam, CEO of FTSE 100 company Prudential plc, as number one and Dr Mo Ibrahim and Dame Vivian Hunt in second and third place respectively.[42]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 2 | Dr Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| 3 | Dame Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 4 | Sir David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & design | Designer of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC |
| 5 | Dr Yvonne Greenstreet | Doctor & Businessperson | Science, Medicine and engineering | Senior VP of medicines development at Pfizer |
| 6 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 7 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Thomson Reuters & The Powerlist Foundation |
| 8 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global General Counsel of Barings LLC |
| 9 | Bernard Mensah | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Head of emerging markets at BofA Securities |
| 10 | Idris Elba | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
2011 Powerlist
editThe 2011 Powerlist had a panel including Baroness Amos and Kwame Kwei-Armah who ranked Tidjane Thiam, CEO of FTSE 100 company Prudential plc first, with Diane Abbott MP ranking ninth.[43]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 2 | Dr Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| =3 | Dame Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| =3 | Trevor Faure | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global General Counsel, Ernst & Young |
| 4 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Restoration Partners, Non-executive director of Thomson Reuters and ENRC |
| 5 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 6 | Sir David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & design | Lead architect of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture |
| 7 | Courtenay Griffiths QC | Barrister | Politics, Law and Religion | Barrister |
| 8 | Tandy Anderson | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Co-founder of Select Model Management |
| 9 | Diane Abbott, MP | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Shadow Minister for Public Health and Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington |
| 10 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sport | First black Formula One Word Champion |
Others listed included the financier Donna St Hill, the peer Victor Adebowale, Baron Adebowale, the judge Dame Linda Dobbs, the pharmaceutical executive Yvonne Greenstreet, the investor Tsega Gebreyes, the make-up artist Dame Pat McGarth, the strategy consultant Dame Vivian Hunt, the venture capitalist Wol Kolade and CPS Chief Inspector Mike Fuller.[44]
2010 Powerlist
editThe 2010 Powerlist was released in September 2009 and marked the beginning of the annual list being published in the prior Autumn. The launch took place in the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street and now included men and women in a single table.[45][46][47][48]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
| 2 | Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 3 | Dr Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| 4 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 5 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Restoration Partners, Non-Executive Director of Thomson Reuters and Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation |
| 6 | Trevor Faure | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global Head of Legal, Ernst & Young |
| 7 | Claire Ighodaro, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Independent director |
| 8 | Dame Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 9 | Lord Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 10 | Tsega Gebreyes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Satya Capital |
2000s
editPrior to 2010, the Powerlist had a different format and was published in conjunction with weekly newspaper the New Nation. During the Powerlist's first few years, separate top 10 rankings were produced for both female and male candidates. In addition, top-ranking individuals were not promoted to the "Hall of Fame", meaning they could continue to be ranked the following year.[49]
2008 Powerlist
editThe 2008 Powerlist was compiled of 50 men and 50 women by a judging panel that included Baroness Amos and Kwame Kwei-Armah. It was published in October 2008 by Powerful Media sponsored by JP Morgan, and was the first annual powerlist report. Copies were sold in store and sent to the UK's 1000 largest companies with a reception held at the Foreign Office to celebrate those on the list. To qualify, entrants had to be a British citizen or based in Britain.[50]
Top 10 Men
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| 2 | Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 3 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 4 | John Sentamu, Baron Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 5 | Trevor Phillips | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Chairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights |
| 6 | David Lammy, MP | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Minister for Skills & Labour MP |
| 7 | Rio Ferdinand, OBE | Footballer | Sport | Professional footballer for Manchester United and the England national football team |
| 8 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation |
| 9 | Sir David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & design | Designer of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver |
| 10 | Daniel Alexander QC | Barrister | Politics, Law and Religion | Barrister |
Top 10 Women
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
| 2 | Claire Ighodaro, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Independent director |
| 3 | Michelle Ogundehin | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration |
| 4 | Dame Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 5 | Dame Pat McGrath | Make-up Artist | Arts, Fashion & design | Founder of Pat McGrath Labs |
| 6 | Carol Lake | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Managing director and co-head of marketing at JP Morgan |
| 7 | Diane Abbott, MP | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | First black female MP, Labour MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington |
| 8 | Tandy Anderson | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Co-founder of Select Model Management |
| 9 | Sonita Alleyne, OBE | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Director of Somethin' Else |
| 10 | Abigail Blackburn | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor of NOW magazine |
2007 Powerlist
editThe first edition of the Powerlist was compiled after six months of research and debate where 400 people of influence were whittled down to 50 women and 50 men, then ranked into respective top tens and announced in August 2007.[51]
Top 10 Men
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 2 | Dr Mo Ibrahim | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| 3 | Michael Prest | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Oil tycoon |
| 4 | Tidjane Thiam | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc |
| 5 | Stanley Musesengwa | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Tate & Lyle |
| 6 | Trevor Faure | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | VP & General Counsel of Tyco International |
| 7 | Lord Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 8 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE & Anthony Hamilton | Formula 1 Driver & Manager | Sport | First black Formula One driver |
| 9 | David Lammy, MP | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Minister for Skills & Labour Member of Parliament |
| 10 | Lee Jasper | Civil Servant | Politics, Law and Religion | Senior Policy Advisor on Equalities to the Mayor of London |
Top 10 Women
edit| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baroness Scotland | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
| 2 | Baroness Amos | Labour Peer | Politics, Law and Religion | First black female Leader of the House of Lords, cabinet minister and joint-first black woman peer |
| 3 | Dame Heather Rabbatts | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Executive Chair of Millwall F.C. & Governor of London School of Economics |
| 4 | Naomi Campbell | Supermodel | Arts, Fashion and design | Influential supermodel |
| 5 | Claire Ighodaro, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director of Banking Code Standards Board |
| 6 | Baroness Howells | Labour Peer | Politics, Law and Religion | First black female on Greater London Council's training board & Governor of the University of Greenwich |
| 7 | Tandy Anderson | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Co-founder of Select Model Management |
| 8 | Carol Lake | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Managing director and co-head of marketing at JP Morgan |
| 9 | Michelle Ogundehin | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration |
| 10 | Sonita Alleyne, OBE | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Director of Somethin' Else |
See also
editReferences
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- ^ Eboda, Michael (26 August 2007). "The real black power list of 100 leading role models". The Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Asthana, Anushka (14 November 2010). "Black power shifts from politics to kitchen, catwalk and hip-hop". The Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Eboda, Michael. "The Powerlist: 10 years of Black Power". Operation Black Vote. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "An Introduction to the Powerlist". www.powerlist.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Landi, Martyn (25 October 2024). "Tech entrepreneur who was homeless as teen named Britain's most influential Black person". The Independent. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Vogue editor Edward Enninful named UK's most powerful black person". BBC News. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Thomas, Tobi (2023-10-27). "British Vogue editor named most influential black person in UK". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Edward Enninful named UK's most influential Black person". The Independent. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Stormzy, Michaela Coel and Rashford named as influential black Brits". BBC News. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Celebrities and sports stars named as UK's most influential black people - but businesswoman takes top spot". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Flipsnack. "The Powerlist 2023". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Jacky Wright and Marcus Rashford in Top 10 most powerful black Britons". The Guardian. 15 October 2021.
- ^ Cipirska, Isabella (2021-10-15). "Marcus Rashford, Michaela Coel and Daniel Kaluuya among top 10 most influential black Britons". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Flipsnack. "Powerlist 2022". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (17 November 2020). "Lewis Hamilton named most influential black person in UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Lewis Hamilton named the most influential black person in Britain by The Powerlist 2021". Voice Online. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Lewis Hamilton named the most influential black person in Britain by The Powerlist 2021". Voice Online. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Lavender, Jane (17 November 2020). "Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021". mirror. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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- ^ Hicks, Amber (23 October 2018). "List of 100 most influential black people includes Meghan Markle for first time". mirror. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Gil, Natalie. "The UK's Most Influential Black Person Has Been Named... And It's A Woman". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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- ^ "Tom Ilube named the most powerful man in Britain | The Voice Online". archive.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Eboda, Michael (22 October 2016). "How has black people's representation changed in the last 10 years?". The Observer. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Harris, Sarah Ann. "Ken Olisa Chosen As Most Influential Black Briton, Topping Powerlist 2016". HuffPost. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "The 10 most influential black people in Britain". indy100. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Gordon, Bryony (23 November 2015). "Ken Olisa: The most powerful black man in Britain". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Duncan, Natricia. "Most powerful black people in Britain revealed | The Voice Online". archive.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Anderson, Elizabeth (17 November 2014). "Karen Blackett: 'I haven't been openly judged on gender or skin colour, but I'm sure it goes on behind my back'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
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- ^ Pears, Elizabeth. "Black Britain's 'most influential' | The Voice Online". archive.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Asthana, Anushka (14 November 2010). "Black power shifts from politics to kitchen, catwalk and hip-hop". The Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
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- ^ Harker, Joseph (20 October 2009). "Black power, noughties-style | Joseph Harker". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
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- ^ "Black Power in Great Britain". Black Enterprise. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Eboda, Michael (26 August 2007). "The real black power list of 100 leading role models". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Smith, David (4 October 2008). "The 100 powerful black Britons who are changing the world". The Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Eboda, Michael (26 August 2007). "The real black power list of 100 leading role models". The Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2020.