Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer of the Bank of England, has been named the UK’s most influential Black person, topping the 2026 Powerlist.
The Powerlist is an annual ranking celebrating the most powerful people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage in the United Kingdom.
The 43-year-old Ghanaian-British finance executive stands at the helm of the Bank’s £1 trillion balance sheet, overseeing its financial governance and funding strategy, a role that has placed her among the most senior figures in British finance.
Kyei’s recognition comes amid growing calls for more diversity at the highest levels of the corporate and public sectors. Speaking about the honor, Kyei described being named No. 1 on the Powerlist as “incredibly humbling” and a powerful reminder of the need for visible role models in leadership.
“There is a shortage in Black leadership,” Kyei said in an interview. “If you look at the FTSE 350, we do not see Black chairs or Black CEOs. Young people can’t see themselves represented. The Powerlist is fantastic because it gives visibility to role models across every industry — so young people can look up and say, ‘If they can, so can I.’”
A Trailblazer at the Heart of British Finance
Appointed by former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney (now Prime Minister of Canada), Kyei has played a key role in steering the Bank through some of the most volatile periods in modern economic history, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of living crisis.
Beyond managing complex fiscal responsibilities, Kyei serves as co-executive sponsor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Bank, and she also oversees its climate change disclosure strategy. Her dual focus on fiscal stability and social equity underscores her view that financial leadership must reflect — and serve — the society it represents.
“We should reflect the society that we’re serving,” she said.
From Oxford to the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street
Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kyei was raised in Highgate, Wimbledon, and Surrey. Her father worked in the oil industry, helping to found the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, while her mother served in the NHS for over 30 years.
Kyei studied chemistry at Oxford before earning a postgraduate degree from Princeton University. She began her career in the private sector, gaining early exposure to business while working part-time at Burberry’s flagship store in Mayfair. That experience, she says, “sparked her curiosity about how large organizations operate.”
Her rise to one of the most powerful financial positions in Britain is not only a personal achievement but also a historic milestone for Black women in the financial industry.
Representation Beyond the Boardroom
The Powerlist, which began in 2006, has become one of the UK’s most influential cultural benchmarks, spotlighting leaders across business, science, technology, and the arts. Past honorees include Dame Sharon White, Karen Blackett, and Dean Forbes, the outgoing top name on last year’s list.
This year’s list also features Ian Wright, the beloved former Arsenal footballer turned broadcaster; Dame Pat McGrath, global makeup mogul and creative visionary; Idris Elba, acclaimed actor and philanthropist; and Emma Grede, co-founder of Good American and founding partner of SKIMS.
Kyei’s elevation to the top reflects a growing appreciation for leaders who blend technical brilliance with social consciousness, those who push for diversity not as tokenism, but as strategy.
As one of the few Black women in senior UK finance, Kyei is acutely aware of the pressures that come with visibility. Yet, her message remains clear: progress cannot stop at acknowledgment.
“There are some incredible role models from Black leaders in the UK that really paved the way for a lot of people,” she said. “It’s important that we keep opening the door wider for the next generation.”
The Future of Leadership
The Bank of England has set diversity goals to ensure that by 2028, 10% of its graduate intake and up to 20% of senior managers will be of Black or ethnic minority heritage. While progress has been made at junior levels, Kyei notes there’s still work to do at the top.
Her recognition comes at a critical time when conversations about inclusion are not just moral imperatives but also economic necessities. As industries evolve, representation — especially in finance — will determine who gets a voice in shaping the future of money, policy, and opportunity.
For Kyei, her journey is about more than accolades. It’s a testament to perseverance, visibility, and balance — between professional excellence and personal fulfillment.
“I’ve enjoyed balancing my role with having a young family,” she said. “It’s important to achieve both your career and family aspirations. You can do both.”
In a nation still grappling with representation gaps, Afua Kyei’s ascent is a major boost for Black women and anyone who has ever felt unseen in the corridors of power.
