| Italic Title: | yes |
| Powerlist | |
| Subheader: | List of the 100 most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the UK |
| Headerstyle: | background:#ccf; |
| Header1: | Publication details |
| Label2: | Publisher |
| Data2: | Powerful Media |
| Label4: | First published |
| Data4: | 2007 |
| Label5: | Latest publication |
| Header6: | Powerlist 2024 |
| Label7: | Most Influential |
| Data7: | Edward Enninful |
| Belowstyle: | background:#ddf; |
| Below: | 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.
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]
A list of every Powerlist highest ranking individual.
| Year | Portrait | Name | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Editor | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Condé Nast | |||
| 2022 | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft | |||
| 2021 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Seven-time World Champion Formula One driver | ||
| 2020 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | founder & chairman of WorldRemit | |||
| 2019 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Exec & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners | |||
| 2018 | 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | |||
| 2011 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | |||
| 2010 | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales | |||
| 2008 (Male) | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | |||
| 2008 (Female) | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales | |||
| 2007 (Male) | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira | |||
| 2007 (Female) | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First Female & Black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales |
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.[6] [7] [8]
| 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 |
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.[9] [10] [11]
| 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 |
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.[12] [13] [14]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft | ||
| 2 | Footballer | Sports | England and Manchester United footballer, and campaigner against child poverty and racism | ||
| 3 | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Vice-president of Content UK, Netflix | ||
| 4 | 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 | 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 | Businessperson | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Founder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons' Den | ||
| 7 | Actor, Screenwriter, Director and Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Creator, co-director and producer of BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You | ||
| 8 | 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 | Human Rights Lawyer | Politics, Law and Religion | Director at Centre for Migration Advice and Research and McKenzie, Beute and Pope |
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.[15] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the awards were held virtually on November 17, 2020, and hosted by Kwame Kwei-Armah, OBE.[16] 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.[17] [18] 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.[19] [20]
See main article: Powerlist 2021.
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Lewis Hamilton, MBE | Formula 1 Driver | Sports | Seven-time World Champion Formula One driver | |
| 2 | Public-Health Leader | Public, Third Sector and Education | Regional Director, Public Health England London | ||
| 3 | Grime Artist | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Award-winning Musician | ||
| 4 | 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 | Public-Health Leader & Nurse | Public, Third Sector and Education | |||
| 7 | 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 | 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 |
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.[21] [22] [23] [24]
See main article: Powerlist 2020.
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & chairman of WorldRemit | ||
| 2 | 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 | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital officer at Microsoft | ||
| 5 | 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 | Artist | Arts, Fashion & design | Award-winning Painter | ||
| 10 | Richard Iferenta | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Partner at KPMG |
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.[25] [26] [27]
See main article: Powerlist 2019.
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners | ||
| 2 | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom | ||
| 3 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit | ||
| 4 | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital and information officer at HMRC | ||
| 5 | 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 | 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 |
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.[28] [29]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson & Activist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Activist known for her work challenging Brexit | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive & Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners | ||
| 3 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit | ||
| 4 | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom | ||
| 5 | Professional Mathematician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Member of Institute of Mathematics and its Applications | ||
| 6 | Businessperson | Technology | Chief digital and information officer at HMRC | ||
| 7 | Sandra Wallace | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | UK managing partner, DLA Piper | |
| 8 | Academic in Nursing | Public, Third Sector & Education | Professor of Nursing, Sheffield Hallam University | ||
| 9 | 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 |
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.[30] [31] [32]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Ilube, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder of Crossword Cyber Security, Africa Gifted Foundation | |
| 2 | 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 | 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Founder & CEO of WorldRemit | ||
| 8 | Composer | Public, Third Sector & Education | Music composer, visionary and cultural activist | ||
| 9 | Businessperson & Economist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chief Executive at Ofcom | ||
| 10 | Sir Steve McQueen, CBE | Film Director | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Multiple award-winning Director |
The 2016 Powerlist named Sir Ken Olisa, OBE at the most influential Black Briton for his charitable work and his achievement becoming the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.[33] [34] [35]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Ken Olisa, OBE | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London | |
| 2 | Actor, comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief | ||
| 3 | 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 | Lawyer | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Global general counsel of HSBC Asset Management | ||
| 10 | Adrian Joseph | Businessperson | Technology | Director, Enterprise Analytics Services, EMEA Google |
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.[36] 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.[37]
| 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 | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP | ||
| =3 | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Minister for Sport & Tourism & Conservative MP | ||
| 4 | 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 | Civil Servant | Public, Third Sector & Education | Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury | ||
| =8 | Actor, comedian & Campaigner | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Co-founder of Comic Relief | ||
| =8 | 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 |
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.[38] [39]
| 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 | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham | ||
| =6 | 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 | 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 |
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.[40]
| 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 | 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 | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira | ||
| 6 | 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 | Politician | Public, Third Sector & Education | Shadow Business Secretary & Labour MP for Streatham | ||
| 9 | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York | ||
| 10 | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
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.[41]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | ||
| 3 | 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 | Doctor & Businessperson | Science, Medicine and engineering | |||
| 6 | 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 | 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 | Actor & Producer | Media, Publishing & Entertainment | Actor |
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.[42]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | ||
| =3 | 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.[43]
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.[44] [45] [46] [47]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | ||
| 3 | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | ||
| 4 | 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 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company | ||
| 9 | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | |||
| 10 | Tsega Gebreyes | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chair of Satya Capital |
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.[48]
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.[49]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | CEO of Prudential plc | ||
| 3 | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira | ||
| 4 | Religious Leader | Public, Third Sector & Education | Archbishop of York | ||
| 5 | 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 |
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration | ||
| 4 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director at McKinsey & Company | ||
| 5 | 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 |
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.[50]
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Businessperson & Philanthropist | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Private equity baron at Permira | ||
| 2 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Chairman & founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation | ||
| 3 | Michael Prest | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Oil tycoon | |
| 4 | 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 | ||
| 7 | 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 | Civil Servant | Politics, Law and Religion | Senior Policy Advisor on Equalities to the Mayor of London |
| Rank | Individual | Occupation | Category | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attorney General | Politics, Law and Religion | First female & black person to be Attorney General for England and Wales | ||
| 2 | Labour Peer | Politics, Law and Religion | First black female Leader of the House of Lords, cabinet minister and joint-first black woman peer | ||
| 3 | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Executive Chair of Millwall F.C. & Governor of London School of Economics | ||
| 4 | Supermodel | Arts, Fashion and design | Influential supermodel | ||
| 5 | Claire Ighodaro, CBE | Businessperson | Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs | Director of Banking Code Standards Board | |
| 6 | 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 | Editor | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decoration | ||
| 10 | Sonita Alleyne, OBE | Businessperson | Media, Publishing and Entertainment | Director of Somethin' Else |