Culture

Afua Kyei becomes first Black executive to top UK Powerlist, symbolising progress in financial leadership

Friday, 24 October 2025 4:01AM UTC

Afua Kyei, Bank of England’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, tops the 2026 Powerlist, marking a historic milestone in UK Black representation and inspiring future generations of leaders across sectors.

The 2026 Powerlist has spotlighted the UK's most influential Black individuals, celebrating their notable achievements and leadership across a range of sectors. At the pinnacle of this year's list is Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of Black excellence in the UK. Kyei's role places her among the country's most senior financial leaders, with oversight of the Bank's substantial £1 trillion balance sheet, responsibility for funding reforms, and critical national infrastructure projects related to payments systems. Beyond her technical financial duties, she is a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate-related financial disclosure, underlining her commitment to progressive change within the traditionally conservative financial sector.

Kyei's appointment in 2019 was historic, making her the first Black senior executive in the Bank of England's 329-year history. Her background is distinguished by a strong academic foundation, holding a Master's degree in Chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford, and a Junior Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University. Before joining the Bank, she gained prominent experience at Barclays Bank as Chief Financial Officer for Mortgages. Her presence at the top of the Powerlist has been hailed not only as an individual achievement but as a broader symbol of representation and possibility for young people who may now see leadership roles as achievable despite historical barriers. She expressed that the accolade was as much about visibility and encouraging the next generation as it was about personal success.

The Powerlist, now in its 20th year, also features other prominent figures making significant contributions in their fields. Football legend and broadcaster Ian Wright stands second, known both for his sporting career and his advocacy for equity in sports. The top ten further includes Dame Pat McGrath, a pioneering makeup artist and entrepreneur behind the billion-pound Pat McGrath Labs, as well as entrepreneur and TV personality Steven Bartlett, actor and philanthropist Idris Elba, Emma Grede, CEO and Co-Founder of Good American and a founding partner of SKIMS, and Ije Nwokorie, CEO of Dr Martens. These individuals collectively represent a diverse array of industries, from finance and business to arts, sports, and entertainment, highlighting the wide-reaching impact of Black leadership in the UK.

In addition to celebrating individual achievements, the Powerlist serves a strategic purpose in shifting societal perceptions and creating role models across communities historically underrepresented in positions of power. Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media Ltd, which produces the Powerlist, noted that the initiative has not only surpassed expectations but has also tangibly changed the landscape of influence and opportunity for Black professionals. The 2026 event, held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, coincides with a Celebration of Black Excellence Awards co-hosted by Jeanette Kwakye MBE and Tim Campbell MBE, further reinforcing the ongoing commitment to recognising and amplifying Black success.

Afua Kyei's leadership has also been acknowledged beyond the Powerlist. She was recently ranked as the second top executive globally in the 2025 Empower Executive Role Model list, which honours ethnically diverse executives who demonstrate impactful work in promoting inclusion within the business environment. Kyei's role as a co-sponsor of the Bank of England's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives aligns with this recognition and underscores her broader influence in championing systemic change. In speeches and public appearances, she has reflected on the importance of inclusive leadership and equal opportunities, asserting that representation in senior roles fundamentally alters collective aspirations and ambitions.

The full Powerlist encompasses a broad spectrum of talents spanning arts, business, media, politics, public sector, science, and medicine, featuring individuals who have broken down barriers, redefined success, and continue to inspire future generations. By showcasing these leaders, the Powerlist not only honours their accomplishments but also contributes to a national conversation about diversity, equity, and the transformative power of representation at the highest echelons of society.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (The Mirror), ^[2] (University of Oxford)
Paragraph 2 – ^[2] (University of Oxford), ^[3] (The African Dream), ^[7] (The African American Athlete)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (The Mirror)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (The Mirror)
Paragraph 5 – ^[4] (Bank of England), ^[5] (Bank of England)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (The Mirror)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-most-influential-black-people-36118455 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/our-people/afua-kyei/ - Afua Kyei is the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Bank of England, appointed in 2019. She is the first Black senior executive in the Bank's 329-year history. Her responsibilities include overseeing the Bank's £1 trillion balance sheet and co-sponsoring initiatives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as Climate Change disclosure. Afua joined the Bank from Barclays Bank, where she was the Chief Financial Officer for Mortgages. She holds a Master's in Chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford, and a Junior Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University.
https://www.theafricandream.net/afua-kyei-bank-of-england-first-black-exec/ - Afua Kyei made history in 2019 by becoming the first Black person to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England. At 36, she oversees the Bank's £1 trillion balance sheet and co-sponsors initiatives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as Climate Change disclosure. Afua joined the Bank from Barclays Bank, where she was the Chief Financial Officer for Mortgages. She holds a Master's in Chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford, and a Junior Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University.
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/speech/2024/july/empower-role-model-speech-by-afua-kyei - Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England, was honoured as the top female and number 2 overall on the Empower Global Executives Role Model List 2024. In her speech, she discusses her personal journey, her role at the Bank, and her commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Afua reflects on her experiences and shares insights into her leadership approach, emphasising the importance of inclusion and equal opportunities in the workplace.
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2024/august/bank-of-england-cfo-afua-kyei-recognised-in-empower-role-models-list - Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England, has been recognised as the second top executive globally in the 2025 Empower Executive Role Model list. The Empower Role Model Lists celebrate ethnically diverse executives who are driving impactful and innovative work for inclusion in business. Afua's leadership and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have been instrumental in her recognition on this prestigious list.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-most-influential-black-people-36118455 - The Powerlist 2026 has named the UK's most influential Black individuals, recognising those of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage who hold significant power in the UK. Topping the list is Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director. Other notable figures in the top 10 include Ian Wright, Dame Pat McGrath, Steven Bartlett, Idris Elba, Emma Grede, and Ije Nwokorie. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Powerlist, highlighting leaders and pioneers who have made a significant impact.
https://www.theafricanamericanathlete.com/afua-kyei-bank-of-england-first-black-executive-director/ - Afua Kyei made history in 2019 by becoming the first Black person to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England. At 36, she oversees the Bank's £1 trillion balance sheet and co-sponsors initiatives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as Climate Change disclosure. Afua joined the Bank from Barclays Bank, where she was the Chief Financial Officer for Mortgages. She holds a Master's in Chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford, and a Junior Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative references the 2026 Powerlist, which is a future event as of October 2025. This suggests the content is speculative or anticipatory. However, similar content has appeared in the past, such as the 2025 Powerlist published in October 2024. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerlist?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bank-of-england_congratulations-to-our-chief-financial-officer-activity-7256679513240092673-JRGh?utm_source=openai)) The narrative also includes information about Afua Kyei's previous recognitions, indicating some recycled content. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/ian-wright-bank-of-england-briton-barclays-steven-bartlett-b1254666.html?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes attributed to Afua Kyei, such as her statement on being named an Honorary Fellow of Somerville College. ([some.ox.ac.uk](https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/news/bank-of-england-cfo-afua-kyei-elected-honorary-fellow/?utm_source=openai)) These quotes appear to be consistent with previous publications, suggesting potential reuse. However, no earlier matches were found for other quotes, indicating some original content.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from The Mirror, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a well-known publication, its reputation for accuracy can vary. The inclusion of information from Somerville College's official website adds credibility to certain claims. ([some.ox.ac.uk](https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/news/bank-of-england-cfo-afua-kyei-elected-honorary-fellow/?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative presents plausible claims about Afua Kyei's achievements and recognitions. However, the anticipation of the 2026 Powerlist raises questions about the timing and accuracy of the information. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The tone and language used are consistent with typical corporate communications.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents plausible claims about Afua Kyei's achievements and recognitions. However, the anticipation of the 2026 Powerlist raises questions about the timing and accuracy of the information. The inclusion of recycled content and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets are concerns. The source's reliability is moderate, and the plausibility of the claims is reasonable.

Black excellence
Diversity and inclusion
Leadership