Powerlist
| 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 | November 16, 2020 |
| Powerlist 2021 | |
| Most Influential | Sir Lewis Hamilton |
| Powerlist website Powerful Media publisher website | |
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.
History and methodology[]
The 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[]
A list of every Powerlist highest ranking individual.
| Year | Portrait | Name | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft | |
| 2021 |  |
Sir Lewis Hamilton | 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation |
| 2016 |  |
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 |  |
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) | 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[]
2022 Powerlist Rankings[]
The panel of judges was led by the retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs.[6]
Top 10[]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacky Wright | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft |
| 2 | Marcus Rashford | Footballer | Sports | English 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 | London regional director at Public Health England, who has played a key role highlighting Covid 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 | Co-founder and director of Operation Black Vote and principal of Homerton College at Cambridge University | ||
| 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[]
The 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.[7] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the awards were held virtually on November 17, 2020 and hosted by Kwame Kwei-Armah, OBE.[8] The event was held in partnership with J.P.Morgan who announced they would invest £2 million in support to London non-profit organisations headed by black and minority ethnic leaders; further sponsors included PricewaterhouseCoopers, Facebook, and Linklaters.[9][10] 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 for and Dame Donna Kinnair for their work fighting against COVID-19.[11]
Top 10[]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Lewis Hamilton | 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 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, & former Barrister | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Journalist for The Guardian, Author, Broadcaster |
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
Also in the Top 100, by Category[]
Arts, Fashion and Design
- Chi-chi Nwanoku, OBE - Classical Musician & Founder of Chineke! Orchestra
- Duro Olowu - Fashion Designer
- Dr Shirley J Thompson, OBE - Composer, Conductor and Reader in Music, University of Westminster
- Pat McGrath, MBE - Make-up Artist & founder of Pat McGrath Labs
- Francesca Hayward - Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet
- Grace Wales Bonner - Fashion Designer, Founder and Creative Director at Wales Bonner
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith - Actor and Founding Member of 'Act for Change'
- John Boyega - Actor
- Idris Elba, OBE - Actor and Producer
Business, Corporate, Financiers and Entrepreneurs
- Femi Bamisaiye - CIO Homeserve
- Nadja Bellan-White - Global CMO at Vice Media Group
- Jason Black (J2K) - Co-founder of Crep Protect and Co-Owner of Crepe and Cones
- Eric Collins - CEO and Founding Member, Impact X Capital Partners
- Camille Drummond - Vice President, Global Business Services at BP
- Yemi Edun - Founder/CEO of Daniel Ford & Co.
- Emeka Emembolu - Senior VP-North Sea BP
- Dean Forbes - President, The Access Group
- Pamela Hutchinson - Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Bloomberg
- Yvonne Ike - Managing Director and Head of Sub Saharan Africa region, BofA Securities
- Adrian Joseph - Managing Director, Group AI & Data Solutions, BT Group
- Wol Kolade - Managing Partner, Livingbridge
- Lindelwe Lesley Ndlovu - CEO, AXA Africa Specialty Risks, Lloyd's of London
- Tara Lajumoke - Managing Director, Financial Times
- Netsai Mangwende - Head of Finance for Great Britain, Willis Towers Watson
- Tunde Olanrewaju - Senior Partner McKinsey & Company
- Paulette Rowe - CEO, Integrated and E-commerce Solutions, Paysafe Group
- Roni Savage - Managing Director, Founder of Jomas Associates
- Alan Smith - Global Head of Risk Strategy and Chief of Staff, Global Risk at HSBC
- Tevin Tobun - Founder and CEO, GV Group Gate Ventures
- Sandra Wallace - UK Managing Partner, DLA Piper
- Dame Sharon White - Chairman, John Lewis Partnership
Media, Publishing and Entertainment
- Kamal Ahmed - Editorial Director, BBC News
- Akala - Rapper, journalist, poet and activist
- Amma Asante, MBE - Writer, Director
- Lorna Clarke - BBC Controller of Pop Music
- Reni Eddo-Lodge - Journalist, author
- Bernardine Evaristo - Writer, Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University London
- Sir Lenny Henry - Actor, writer, campaigner
- Vanessa Kingori, MBE - Publisher, British Vogue
- Dorothy Koomson - Author
- Anne Mensah - Vice-president of Content UK, Netflix
- Hugh Muir - Senior Assistant Editor, The Guardian
- Femi Oguns, MBE - Founder and CEO of Identity School of Acting
- Marcus Ryder - Executive Producer of Multimedia Caixin
- Paulette Simpson - Executive, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Jamaica National Group; Executive Director, The Voice Media Group
- Annette Thomas - CEO The Guardian Media Group
- Charlene White - ITN News Anchor
- Reggie Yates - Actor, broadcaster & DJ
- Gary Younge - Journalist and author; Prof. of Sociology University of Manchester
Politics, Law and Religion
- Stephanie Boyce - Deputy Vice-President Law Society of England and Wales
- Martin Forde, QC - Barrister
- Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin - Bishop of Dover
- David Lammy, MP - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Member of Parliament for Tottenham
- Harry Matovu, QC - Barrister
- Dr Kathryn Nwajiaku - Director, Politics and Governance Overseas Development Institute
- Dr Sandie Okoro - Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel, World Bank
- Segun Osuntokun - Managing Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
- Joshua Siaw, MBE - Partner, White & Case
- Patrick Vernon, OBE - Political activist
- Marcia Willis Stewart, QC - Director, Birnberg Peirce & Partners
Public, Third Sector and Education
- Sonita Alleyne, OBE - Master, Jesus College, Cambridge
- Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford, CBE - Chair, Shakespeare's Globe, Chancellor of Coventry University, Non-Executive Director, Co-op Group
- Nira Chamberlain - President of Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
- Professor Patricia Daley - Vice Principle of Jesus College, Cambridge
- Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, MBE - CEO and Co-Founder Stemettes
- Professor Funmi Olonisakin - Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at King's College London, Founding Director of African Leadership Centre
- Marvin Rees - Mayor of Bristol
- Lord Woolley - Co-founder/Director, Operation Black Vote
Science, Medicine and Engineering
- Dr Sylvia Bartley - Senior Global Director, Medtronic Foundation
- Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, OBE - Chief Midwifery Officer, NHS England
- Dr Jacqui Dyer, MBE - President of Mental Health Foundation
- Dr Paula Franklin - Chief Medical Officer at Bupa
- Dr Martin Griffiths - Lead trauma surgeon, Royal London Hospital & Clinical Director for Violence Reduction, NHS
- Dr Ian Nnatu - Consultant psychiatrist
- Dr Joy Odili - Consultant plastic surgeon
- Dr Emeka Okaro - Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
- Prof. Laura Serrant, OBE - Head of Department and Professor of Community and Public Health Nursing at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Dr Samantha Tross - Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Sports
- Dina Asher Smith - British record-holding sprinter
- Anthony Joshua, OBE - Boxer
- Marcus Rashford - Footballer and campaigner against child poverty
- Raheem Sterling - Footballer
Technology
- Nneka Abulokwe, OBE - Founder and CEO, MicroMax Consulting
- Ije Nwokorie - Senior Director, Apple Inc.
- Ebele Okobi - Public policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey for Facebook
- Jacky Wright - Chief digital officer & Corporate VP at Microsoft
2020 Powerlist[]
The 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.[12][13][14][15]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | founder & chairman of WorldRemit |
| 2 | 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 British Vogue |
| 7 | Ebele Okobi | Public policy director | Technology | Public policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey for 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[]
2019 Rankings[]
The 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.[16][17][18] For the full list see: Powerlist 2019
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 2 | 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 for 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 British Vogue |
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
2018 Rankings[]
The 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 the years list were women.[19][20]
| 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 Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 3 | Ismail Ahmed | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit |
| 4 | 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 British Vogue |
2017 Rankings[]
The 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.[21][22][23]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Ilube | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation |
| 2 | Ric Lewis | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners |
| 3 | Arlene Isaacs-Lowe | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Head of Relationship Management, EMEA, Moodys |
| 4 | Sir Lenny Henry | Actor, Comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief |
| 5 | Mo Farah, CBE | Professional Athlete | Sports | Four-time Gold Medalist at the Olympic Games |
| 6 | 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 | Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 10 | Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Multiple award winning Director |
2016 Rankings[]
The 2016 Powerlist named 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.[24][25][26]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | Sharon White | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom |
| 4 | Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Multiple award winning Director |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Three-time Formula 1 World Champion |
| 6 | Baroness Doreen 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 | 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[]
The 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.[27] 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.[28]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karen Blackett,OBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of MediaCom UK |
| 2 | 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 & Tory MP |
| 4 | Sandie Okoro | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global general counsel of HSBC Asset Management |
| 5 | 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 | Sharon White | Civil Servant | Public, Third Sector & Education | Second Permanent Secretary of 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 | Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Three-time Formula 1 World Champion |
2014 Rankings[]
An 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.[29][30]
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Baroness Doreen Lawrence | Activist | Public, Third Sector & Education | Director of the Stephen Lawrence Trust |
| =8 | Idris Elba | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
| 9 | 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[]
The 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.[31]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Adjaye, OBE | Architect | Arts, Fashion & Design | Designer of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC |
| 2 | Pat McGrath | Make-up Artist | Arts, Fashion & Design | founder of Pat McGrath Labs |
| 3 | Mo Farah, MBE | Athlete | Sports | Olympic Gold Medalist |
| 4 | Ken Olisa,OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Restoration Partners & Non-executive chairman of Thomson Reuters |
| 5 | 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 | Rev John Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 10 | Idris Elba | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
2012 Rankings[]
The 2012 Powerlist edition was announced in November 2011, and the judging panel was chaired by Baroness Amos ranking Tidjane Thiam, CEO of FTSE 100 company Prudential plc.[32]
| 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 | Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 4 | 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 | Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 7 | 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[]
The 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.[33]
| 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 | Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 4-8 | Data | Not | Available | |
| 9 | Diane Abbott, MP | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Shadow Minister for Public Health and Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington |
| 10 | Data | Not | Available |
Others listed included the financier Donna St Hill, the peer Victor Adebowale, the judge Linda Dobbs, the pharmaceutical executive Yvonne Greenstreet, the investor Tsega Gebreyes, the make-up artist Pat McGarth, the strategy consultant Vivian Hunt, the venture capitalist Wol Kolade and CPS Chief Inspector Mike Fuller.[34]
2010 Powerlist[]
The 2010 Powerlist was released in September 2009 and marked the beginning of the annual list being published in the Autumn prior. The launch took place in the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street and now included men & women in a single table.[35][36][37][38]
| 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 | Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 5 | Ken Olisa | 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Independent Director |
| 8 | Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 9 | Rev John Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 10 | Tsega Gebreyes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Satya Capital |
2000's[]
Prior to 2010, the Powerlist had a different format and was published in conjunction with newspaper The New Nation. During its 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.[39]
2008 Powerlist[]
The 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.[40]
Top 10 Men[]
| 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 | Damon Buffini | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira |
| 4 | Rev John 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 | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Minister for Skills & Labour MP |
| 7 | Rio Ferdinand | Footballer | Sport | Professional Footballer for Manchester United and the England national football team |
| 8 | Ken Olisa | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation |
| 9 | David Adjaye | 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[]
| 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Independent Director |
| 3 | Michelle Ogundehin | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration |
| 4 | Vivian Hunt | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company |
| 5 | 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 | 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 | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Director of Somethin' Else |
| 10 | Abigail Blackburn | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor of Now Magazine |
2007 Powerlist[]
The 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.[41]
Top 10 Men[]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 FTSE 100 Company, Tate & Lyle |
| 6 | Trevor Faure | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | VP & General Counsel of Tyco International |
| 7 | Rev John Sentamu | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton & Anthony Hamilton | Formula 1 Driver & Manager | Sport | First Black Formula 1 Driver |
| 9 | David Lammy | Politician | Politics, Law and Religion | Minister for Skills & Labour MP |
| 10 | Lee Jasper | Civil Servant | Politics, Law and Religion | Senior Policy Advisor on Equalities to the Mayor of London |
Top 10 Women[]
| 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 | Heather Rabbatts | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Executive Chair Millwall F.C. & Governor of London School of Economics |
| 4 | Naomi Campbell | Supermodel | Arts, Fashion and Design | Influential Supermodel |
| 5 | Claire Ighodaro | 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 | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Director of Somethin' Else |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Eboda, Michael (22 October 2016). "How has black people's representation changed in the last 10 years?". The Observer. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Jacky Wright and Marcus Rashford in Top 10 most powerful black Britons". The Guardian. 15 October 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Lewis Hamilton named most influential black person in UK". BBC News. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Powerlist 2020 Top 10". www.powerlist.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Meghan Markle and Stormzy named among Britain's most influential black people". The Independent. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Mills, Kelly-Ann (25 October 2019). "Raheem Sterling joins Meghan and Stormzy in top 100 most influential black Brits". mirror. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Who's on the list of the most influential black people?". BBC News. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Rawlinson, Kevin (23 October 2018). "Duchess of Sussex in Powerlist of top 100 black people in Britain". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Tetteh, Bridgitte. "BBC Radio Berkshire - Black Powerlist 2018 revealed". BBC. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "UK's most influential black person named". BBC News. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Here are the top 10 most influential black Britons - AOL". www.aol.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Author tops black influence list". BBC News. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Blackett, Karen (1 November 2013). "Do we really need black-only 'power lists' in the UK?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Davies, Lizzy (25 October 2012). "David Adjaye tops PowerList 2013". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Britain's most powerful black people". The Gleaner. November 23, 2010.
- ^ "Black power list published". The Independent. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Harker, Joseph (20 October 2009). "Black power, noughties-style | Joseph Harker". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ "POWERLIST 2010: BRITAIN'S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL BLACK PEOPLE". MAD NEWS UK. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ "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.
External links[]
Categories:
- Publications established in 2007
- Yearbooks
- Biographical dictionaries
- Lists of British people
- 2007 establishments in the United Kingdom
- Black elite