Bank of England’s Afua Kyei Named Most Influential Black Person in the UK
The finance chief of the Bank of England has been named as the UK’s most influential black person by the Powerlist 2026, which also recognises the likes of former footballer Ian Wright and entrepreneur Emma Grede, reports BritPanorama.
Afua Kyei, who is also the executive director of the central bank, took the top spot in this year’s rankings. She expressed her delight at this recognition, stating, “I am thrilled that someone in the public sector and financial services is being recognised in this way.”
Kyei oversees the financial governance of the Bank’s balance sheet, which peaked at over £1 trillion during the Covid pandemic. Her responsibilities include directing the vehicle that implements the Bank’s quantitative easing programme, a pivotal tool for reducing interest rates.
Joining the central bank in 2019, Kyei previously held senior roles at global banks Barclays and UBS. The annual Powerlist, which partners with JP Morgan, HSBC, and PwC, aims to highlight the most powerful individuals from African, African Caribbean, and African American backgrounds in Britain.
Launched 20 years ago by Powerlist Media, the initiative seeks to showcase black role models to inspire younger generations. Ranking second on the list is Ian Wright, the former England and Arsenal footballer, acknowledged for his advocacy for equity in sports. Dame Pat McGrath, renowned as a makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur, secured the third position for her work with Pat McGrath Labs.
Other figures in the top 10 include Grede, co-founder of fashion brand Skims, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett from the BBC One series Dragons’ Den, and actor Idris Elba. Kyei emphasised that the award is “not about personal achievement — it is about representation, visibility, and possibility.”
“When young people see themselves reflected in spaces where they may not have imagined belonging, it changes what they believe is achievable,” she noted.
This recognition of Afua Kyei not only highlights her individual accomplishments but also underscores the importance of representation in leadership roles within financial institutions. The influence of such figures can help reshape perceptions and inspire future generations to aspire for similar achievements.
