Powerlist

Powerlist
List of the 100 most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the UK
Publication details
PublisherPowerful Media
First published2007
Latest publicationOctober 27, 2023
Powerlist 2024
Most InfluentialEdward Enninful
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
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

2025 Powerlist Rankings

Published 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]

Main article: Powerlist 2025

Top 10

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

Published 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]

Main article: Powerlist 2024

Top 10

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

Published 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]

Main article: Powerlist 2023

Top 10

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

Published 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]

Main article: Powerlist 2022

Top 10

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

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 had 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]

Main article: Powerlist 2021

Top 10

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

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.[22][23][24][25]

Main article: Powerlist 2020
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

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.[26][27][28]

Main article: Powerlist 2019
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

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 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

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.[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

The 2016 Powerlist named Sir Ken Olisa, OBE as 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

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.[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 jointly 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

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.[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

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.[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

The 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

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.[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

The 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

Prior 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

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.[50]

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 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

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

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.[51]

Top 10 Men

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

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

References

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