On October 24, 2025, the United Kingdom’s financial landscape witnessed a momentous occasion as Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s chief financial officer and executive director, was announced as the country’s most influential black person. This recognition, bestowed by the annual Powerlist 2026, marks not just a personal milestone for Kyei but also a broader celebration of black excellence across Britain’s public and private sectors.
The Powerlist, now in its twentieth year, honors the most powerful Britons of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage. According to Sky News, Kyei’s selection for the top spot was particularly significant, as she represents both the public sector and the world of financial services—areas where black leadership has historically been underrepresented. "Delighted that someone in the public sector and financial services is being recognised in this way," Kyei told Sky News, her words resonating with many who have long advocated for greater diversity at the highest levels of British society.
Kyei’s journey to the pinnacle of British finance is a testament to her resilience and vision. Born to Ghanaian parents who moved to the UK for their university studies, she grew up observing her mother’s four-decade career as a midwife in the NHS and her father’s long tenure in the oil industry. "I saw them juggling work and home. They instilled really strong values in us," she recalled to the BBC. Now a mother of four herself, Kyei is vocal about the importance of supporting working families. "What I love about the Bank of England is that we really support working families and working parents," she said, emphasizing the institution’s progressive approach to work-life balance.
Her academic credentials are equally impressive. Kyei studied chemistry at Oxford University and was awarded a junior research fellowship in organic chemistry by Princeton University. But her career soon pivoted to finance, and she quickly made her mark. During the global financial crisis, she worked as an investment banker before joining Barclays, where she served as Chief Financial Officer for Mortgages. She later held senior roles at UBS before being recruited to the Bank of England in 2019 by then-governor Mark Carney—who now serves as Canada’s Prime Minister. Since joining the central bank, Kyei has overseen the financial governance of its balance sheet, which soared to over £1 trillion during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is also responsible for directing the vehicle that carries out the Bank’s quantitative easing programme, a key tool in managing interest rates and stabilizing the economy.
"You don’t need to be a mathematician, you don’t need to be an accountant and you don’t need to be an economist. What we’re looking for is fresh perspectives and we want the best people," Kyei told the BBC, encouraging young people—especially those from minority backgrounds—to consider careers in banking and finance. Her message is clear: diversity of thought and experience is just as vital as technical expertise in shaping the future of the financial sector.
The Powerlist 2026’s top ten is a who’s who of influential black Britons making waves across industries. Following Kyei is Ian Wright, the former England and Arsenal footballer turned broadcaster, recognized for his advocacy of equity in sport. Dame Pat McGrath, a celebrated make-up artist and founder of Pat McGrath Labs, claimed third place. The list also features Pamela Maynard, Microsoft’s chief AI transformation officer; Joshua Siaw, a partner at White and Case; Tunde Olanrewaju, a senior partner at McKinsey and Company Europe; entrepreneur Steven Bartlett of Dragons’ Den fame; Emma Grede, chief executive and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of Skims; Idris Elba, the acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist; and Ije Nwokorie, chief executive of Dr Martens.
Emma Grede’s inclusion is notable, given her co-founding of Skims alongside US celebrity Kim Kardashian—a brand that has become synonymous with modern fashion innovation. Steven Bartlett, meanwhile, has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs through his work on Dragons’ Den and beyond. And, of course, Idris Elba’s global influence in entertainment and philanthropy continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible for black talent in the UK and internationally.
The Powerlist itself has a storied history. Launched in 2006 by Powerlist Media, its mission was simple: to shine a spotlight on role models whose achievements could inspire others. As Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, reflected, "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 20 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." The list has grown in prestige and influence, now partnering with major organizations such as JP Morgan, HSBC, and PwC, and has become a much-anticipated annual event in the UK’s social calendar.
Kyei herself is keenly aware that her recognition is about more than individual accomplishment. "The award is not about personal achievement – it is about representation, visibility, and possibility," she explained, as reported by the Evening Standard. "When young people see themselves reflected in spaces where they may not have imagined belonging, it changes what they believe is achievable." This sentiment echoes throughout the Powerlist’s history, which was conceived as a way to counteract the erasure of black contributions from the historical record. "What we've seen throughout history is that sometimes the contributions of ethnic minority talent or black leaders are not always recorded and so they get forgotten, and sometimes get lost," Kyei told Sky News. "So The Powerlist is fantastic because it actually showcases all of that talent and it allows people to create vision and it establishes a legacy so that people can say 'yes, it's possible, let me go for it'."
Her story, and those of her peers on the Powerlist, serve as powerful reminders of the progress made—and the challenges that remain—in building a society where opportunity is truly open to all. As Powerlist founder Michael Eboda noted, "Over the last 20 years we've seen more influencers from the private sector as opposed to the public sector and that's a great story of success in Britain." Yet, as Kyei’s own career illustrates, the journey is ongoing, and the need for visible, relatable role models has never been greater.
With Afua Kyei at the helm of the Powerlist 2026, the message to Britain’s next generation is clear: the doors to leadership, innovation, and influence are open wider than ever before. And as the nation continues to grapple with questions of diversity, equity, and representation, Kyei’s example stands as a beacon of what is possible when talent, opportunity, and vision converge.
