Powerlist

Annual ranking of influential Black British people From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Quick Facts Publication details, Publisher ...
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
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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

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Perspective

A list of every Powerlist highest ranking individual.

More information Year, Portrait ...
YearPortraitNameOccupationCategoryNotability
2025Dean ForbesBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital
2024Edward EnninfulEditorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentFormer editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Condé Nast
2023
Thumb
Dame Sharon WhiteBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair, John Lewis Partnership
2022
Thumb
Jacky WrightBusinesspersonTechnologyChief digital officer at Microsoft
2021
Thumb
Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportsSeven-time World Champion Formula One driver
2020
Thumb
Ismail AhmedBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneursfounder & chairman of WorldRemit
2019
Thumb
Ric LewisBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners
2018
Thumb
Gina MillerBusinessperson & ActivistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursActivist known for her work challenging Brexit
2017
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Tom Ilube, CBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation
2016
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Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursLord-Lieutenant of Greater London
2015Karen Blackett, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of MediaCom UK
2014
Thumb
Malorie Blackman, OBEAuthorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentWriter of over 60 children's books and Children's Laureate
2013
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Sir David Adjaye, OBEArchitectArts, Fashion & designDesigner of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC
2012
Thumb
Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
2011
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Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
2010
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Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
2008 (Male)
Thumb
Dr. Mo IbrahimBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
2008 (Female)
Thumb
Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
2007 (Male)Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
2007 (Female)
Thumb
Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
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2020s

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Perspective

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]

Top 10

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Dean ForbesBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital
2Bernard MensahBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPresident of international, Bank of America; Chief executive officer, MLI
3Afua KyeiFinancial executiveBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Financial Officer, Bank of England
4Emma GredeBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief executive officer and Co-Founder, Good American; Founding Partner, Skims
5Joshua Siaw, MBELawyerPolitics, Law and ReligionPartner, White & Case
6Tunde OlanrewajuBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursSenior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
7Alexander and Oliver Kent-BrahamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounders, Marshmallow
8Adejoké BakareBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChef-owner, Chishuru, Michelin-starred restaurant
9Justin OnuekwusiBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief investment officer, St James’s Place
10Pamela MaynardBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief AI transformation officer, Microsoft
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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]

Top 10

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Edward Enninful, OBEEditorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentFormer editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Condé Nast
2Dean ForbesBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital
3Afua KyeiFinancial executiveBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Financial Officer, Bank of England
4Marvin ReesPoliticianPublic, Third Sector and EducationMayor of Bristol
5Tunde OlanrewajuBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursSenior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
6Joshua Siaw, MBELawyerPolitics, Law and ReligionPartner, White & Case
7Syreeta BrownBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGroup Chief People and Communications Officer, Virgin Money UK
8Paulette Simpson, CBEBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentExecutive, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Jamaica National Bank; Executive Director, The Voice Media Group
9Vanessa Kingori, CBEPublisherMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentChief Business Officer, Condé Nast Britain, Vogue European Business Advisor
10Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of WoodfordPolitician and ActivistPublic, Third Sector and EducationCo-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge
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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]

Top 10

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Dame Sharon WhiteBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair, John Lewis Partnership
2Dean ForbesBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO, Forterro and Partner at Corten Capital
3Anne MensahBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentVice-president of Content UK, Netflix
4Tunde OlanrewajuBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursSenior Partner and Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
5Steven BartlettBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentFounder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons' Den
6David Olusoga, OBEHistorian, Writer, BroadcasterMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentBroadcaster & Joint Creative Director of Uplands Television Ltd
7Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of WoodfordPolitician and ActivistPublic, Third Sector and EducationCo-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge
8Paulette Simpson, CBEBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentExecutive, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Jamaica National Bank; Executive Director, The Voice Media Group
9Richard IferentaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPartner, Vice Chair, KPMG
10Dr Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGeneral Counsel, Standard Chartered Bank
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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]

Top 10

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Jacky WrightBusinesspersonTechnologyChief digital officer at Microsoft
2Marcus RashfordFootballerSportsEngland and Manchester United footballer, and campaigner against child poverty and racism
3Anne MensahBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentVice-president of Content UK, Netflix
4Daniel KaluuyaActorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentOscar and Golden Globe winning actor for portrayal of the Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah
5Prof. Kevin FentonPublic-Health LeaderScience, Medicine & EngineeringLondon regional director at Public Health England, who has played a key role highlighting COVID-19 and inequality
6Steven BartlettBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentFounder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons' Den
7Michaela CoelActor, Screenwriter, Director and ProducerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentCreator, co-director and producer of BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You
8Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of WoodfordPolitician and ActivistPublic, Third Sector and EducationCo-founder and Director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge
9Richard IferentaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPartner at KPMG
10Jacqueline McKenzieHuman Rights LawyerPolitics, Law and ReligionDirector at Centre for Migration Advice and Research and McKenzie, Beute and Pope
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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]

Top 10

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportsSeven-time World Champion Formula One driver
2Prof. Kevin FentonPublic-Health LeaderPublic, Third Sector and EducationRegional Director, Public Health England London
3StormzyGrime ArtistMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentAward-winning Musician
4Michaela CoelActor, Screenwriter, Director and ProducerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentCreator, co-director and producer of BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You
5Edward Enninful, OBEEditor-in-ChiefMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of British Vogue
6Dame Donna KinnairPublic-Health Leader & NursePublic, Third Sector and EducationCEO & General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing
7Jacqueline McKenzieHuman Rights LawyerPolitics, Law and ReligionDirector at Centre for Migration Advice and Research and McKenzie, Beute and Pope
8David Olusoga, OBEHistorian, Writer, BroadcasterMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentHistorian and TV presenter
9Afua HirschWriter, Broadcaster, and Former BarristerMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentJournalist for The Guardian, author and broadcaster
10Richard IferentaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPartner at KPMG
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Ismail AhmedBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder & chairman of WorldRemit
2Dame Pat McGrathMake-up ArtistArts, Fashion & designFounder of Pat McGrath Labs
3Michael ShermanBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief strategy and transformation officer at BT Group
4Jacky WrightBusinesspersonTechnologyChief digital officer at Microsoft
5StormzyGrime ArtistMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentAward-winning Musician
6Edward Enninful, OBEEditor-in-ChiefMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of British Vogue
7Ebele OkobiPublic Policy DirectorTechnologyPublic policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, Facebook
8Paulette RoweBusinesspersonTechnologyGlobal Head, Payments and Financial Services Partnerships, Facebook
9Lynette Yiadom-BoakyeArtistArts, Fashion & designAward-winning Painter
10Richard IferentaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPartner at KPMG
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2010s

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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Ric LewisBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners
2Dame Sharon WhiteBusinessperson & EconomistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive at Ofcom
3Ismail AhmedBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder & CEO of WorldRemit
4Jacky WrightBusinesspersonTechnologyChief digital and information officer at HMRC
5Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursSenior VP and general counsel at the World Bank Group
6Ebele OkobiPublic Policy DirectorTechnologyPublic policy director, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, Facebook
7Funmi OlonisakinProfessorPublic, Third Sector & EducationProfessor of Leadership studies, peace and conflict at King's College London
8Paulette RoweBusinesspersonTechnologyGlobal Head, Payments and Financial Services Partnerships, Facebook
9Edward Enninful, OBEEditor-in-ChiefMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of British Vogue
10Richard IferentaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPartner at KPMG
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Gina MillerBusinessperson & ActivistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursActivist known for her work challenging Brexit
2Ric LewisBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners
3Ismail AhmedBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder & CEO of WorldRemit
4Dame Sharon WhiteBusinessperson & EconomistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive at Ofcom
5Nira ChamberlainProfessional MathematicianPublic, Third Sector & EducationMember of Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
6Jacky WrightBusinesspersonTechnologyChief digital and information officer at HMRC
7Sandra WallaceLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursUK managing partner, DLA Piper
8Prof. Laura SerrantAcademic in NursingPublic, Third Sector & EducationProfessor of Nursing, Sheffield Hallam University
9Dr Shirley J ThompsonComposerPublic, Third Sector & EducationMusic composer, visionary and cultural activist
10Edward Enninful, OBEEditor-in-ChiefMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of British Vogue
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Tom Ilube, CBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation
2Ric LewisBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners
3Arlene Isaacs-LoweBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursHead of Relationship Management, EMEA, Moody's
4Sir Lenny HenryActor, comedian & CampaignerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentCo-founder of Comic Relief
5Sir Mo Farah, CBEProfessional AthleteSportsFour-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games
6Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportsThree-time Formula 1 World Champion
7Ismail AhmedBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursFounder & CEO of WorldRemit
8Dr Shirley J ThompsonComposerPublic, Third Sector & EducationMusic composer, visionary and cultural activist
9Dame Sharon WhiteBusinessperson & EconomistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive at Ofcom
10Sir Steve McQueen, CBEFilm DirectorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentMultiple award-winning Director
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursLord-Lieutenant of Greater London
2Sir Lenny HenryActor, comedian & CampaignerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentCo-founder of Comic Relief
3Dame Sharon WhiteBusinessperson & EconomistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChief Executive at Ofcom
4Sir Steve McQueen, CBEFilm DirectorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentMultiple award-winning Director
5Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportsThree-time Formula 1 World Champion
6Baroness Lawrence, OBECampaignerPublic, Third Sector & EducationJustice campaigner
7Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBESpace ScientistPublic, Third Sector & EducationSpace scientist and science educator, University College London
8Sir Mo Farah, CBEProfessional AthleteSportsTwo-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games
9Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal general counsel of HSBC Asset Management
10Adrian JosephBusinesspersonTechnologyDirector, Enterprise Analytics Services, EMEA Google
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Karen Blackett, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of MediaCom UK
2Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursLord-Lieutenant of Greater London
=3Chuka UmunnaPoliticianPublic, Third Sector & EducationShadow Business Secretary & Labour MP
=3Helen GrantPoliticianPublic, Third Sector & EducationMinister for Sport & Tourism & Conservative MP
4Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal general counsel of HSBC Asset Management
5Sir Steve McQueen, CBEFilm DirectorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentArtist & director of 12 Years a Slave
6Matthew Ryder QCBarristerPublic, Third Sector & EducationBarrister specialising in complex criminal cases and civil litigation
7Dame Sharon WhiteCivil ServantPublic, Third Sector & EducationSecond Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
=8Sir Lenny HenryActor, comedian & CampaignerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentCo-founder of Comic Relief
=8Idris ElbaActor & producerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentActor
9Adrian JosephBusinesspersonTechnologyDirector, Enterprise Analytics Services, EMEA Google
10Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportsThree-time Formula 1 World Champion
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Malorie Blackman, OBEAuthorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentWriter of over 60 children's books and Children's Laureate
2Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair of Restoration Partners
3Matthew Ryder QCBarristerPublic, Third Sector & EducationBarrister specialising in complex criminal cases and civil litigation
4Sir Mo Farah, MBEAthleteSportsOlympic Gold Medalist
5Karen Blackett, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of MediaCom UK
=6Chuka UmunnaPoliticianPublic, Third Sector & EducationShadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham
=6Adam AfriyiePoliticianPublic, Third Sector & EducationConservative MP for Windsor
7Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence, OBEActivistPublic, Third Sector & EducationDirector of the Stephen Lawrence Trust
=8Idris ElbaActor & ProducerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentActor
9Sir Steve McQueen, CBEFilm DirectorMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentArtist & director of 12 Years a Slave
10Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBESpace ScientistPublic, Third Sector & EducationAcademic researcher at University College London
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Sir David Adjaye, OBEArchitectArts, Fashion & designDesigner of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC
2Dame Pat McGrathMake-up ArtistArts, Fashion & designFounder of Pat McGrath Labs
3Sir Mo Farah, MBEAthleteSportsOlympic Gold Medalist
4Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair of Restoration Partners & Non-executive chairman of Thomson Reuters
5Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
6Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal General Counsel of Barings LLC
7Karen Blackett, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of MediaCom UK
8Chuka UmunnaPoliticianPublic, Third Sector & EducationShadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham
9John Sentamu, Baron SentamuReligious LeaderPublic, Third Sector & EducationArchbishop of York
10Idris ElbaActor & ProducerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentActor
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
2Dr Mo IbrahimBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
3Dame Vivian HuntBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector at McKinsey & Company
4Sir David Adjaye, OBEArchitectArts, Fashion & designDesigner of the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC
5Dr Yvonne GreenstreetDoctor & BusinesspersonScience, Medicine and engineeringSenior VP of medicines development at Pfizer
6Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
7Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair of Thomson Reuters & The Powerlist Foundation
8Sandie OkoroLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal General Counsel of Barings LLC
9Bernard MensahBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursHead of emerging markets at BofA Securities
10Idris ElbaActor & ProducerMedia, Publishing & EntertainmentActor
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
2Dr Mo IbrahimBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
=3Dame Vivian HuntBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector at McKinsey & Company
=3Trevor FaureLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal 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
9Diane Abbott, MPPoliticianPolitics, Law and ReligionShadow Minister for Public Health and Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington
10Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBEFormula 1 DriverSportFirst black Formula One Word Champion
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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]

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
2Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
3Dr Mo IbrahimBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
4Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
5Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair of Restoration Partners, Non-Executive Director of Thomson Reuters and Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation
6Trevor FaureLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursGlobal Head of Legal, Ernst & Young
7Claire Ighodaro, CBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursIndependent director
8Dame Vivian HuntBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector at McKinsey & Company
9Lord SentamuReligious LeaderPublic, Third Sector & EducationArchbishop of York
10Tsega GebreyesBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChair of Satya Capital
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2000s

Summarize
Perspective

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

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Dr Mo IbrahimBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
2Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
3Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
4John Sentamu, Baron SentamuReligious LeaderPublic, Third Sector & EducationArchbishop of York
5Trevor PhillipsPoliticianPolitics, Law and ReligionChairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights
6David Lammy, MPPoliticianPolitics, Law and ReligionMinister for Skills & Labour MP
7Rio Ferdinand, OBEFootballerSportProfessional footballer for Manchester United and the England national football team
8Sir Ken Olisa, OBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation
9Sir David Adjaye, OBEArchitectArts, Fashion & designDesigner of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
10Daniel Alexander QCBarristerPolitics, Law and ReligionBarrister
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Top 10 Women

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
2Claire Ighodaro, CBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursIndependent director
3Michelle OgundehinEditorMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration
4Dame Vivian HuntBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector at McKinsey & Company
5Dame Pat McGrathMake-up ArtistArts, Fashion & designFounder of Pat McGrath Labs
6Carol LakeBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursManaging director and co-head of marketing at JP Morgan
7Diane Abbott, MPPoliticianPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst black female MP, Labour MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington
8Tandy AndersonBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCo-founder of Select Model Management
9Sonita Alleyne, OBEBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentDirector of Somethin' Else
10Abigail BlackburnEditorMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentEditor of NOW magazine
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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

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Sir Damon BuffiniBusinessperson & PhilanthropistBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursPrivate equity baron at Permira
2Dr Mo IbrahimBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursChairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation
3Michael PrestBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursOil tycoon
4Tidjane ThiamBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Prudential plc
5Stanley MusesengwaBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCEO of Tate & Lyle
6Trevor FaureLawyerBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursVP & General Counsel of Tyco International
7Lord SentamuReligious LeaderPublic, Third Sector & EducationArchbishop of York
8Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE & Anthony HamiltonFormula 1 Driver & ManagerSportFirst black Formula One driver
9David Lammy, MPPoliticianPolitics, Law and ReligionMinister for Skills & Labour Member of Parliament
10Lee JasperCivil ServantPolitics, Law and ReligionSenior Policy Advisor on Equalities to the Mayor of London
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Top 10 Women

More information Rank, Individual ...
RankIndividualOccupationCategoryNotability
1Baroness ScotlandAttorney GeneralPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales
2Baroness AmosLabour PeerPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst black female Leader of the House of Lords, cabinet minister and joint-first black woman peer
3Dame Heather RabbattsBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursExecutive Chair of Millwall F.C. & Governor of London School of Economics
4Naomi CampbellSupermodelArts, Fashion and designInfluential supermodel
5Claire Ighodaro, CBEBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursDirector of Banking Code Standards Board
6Baroness HowellsLabour PeerPolitics, Law and ReligionFirst black female on Greater London Council's training board & Governor of the University of Greenwich
7Tandy AndersonBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursCo-founder of Select Model Management
8Carol LakeBusinesspersonBusiness, Corporate, Financiers & EntrepreneursManaging director and co-head of marketing at JP Morgan
9Michelle OgundehinEditorMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentEditor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration
10Sonita Alleyne, OBEBusinesspersonMedia, Publishing and EntertainmentDirector of Somethin' Else
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See also

References

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