Afua Kyei Named Britain’s Most Powerful Black Person
Bank of England’s chief financial officer, Afua Kyei, has been recognized as Britain’s most powerful black individual. At 43, she holds a significant position in finance, overseeing governance and reforms for the Bank’s £1 trillion balance sheet.
Notably, Kyei tops the 2026 Power List, highlighting influential figures of African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American descent in the UK. Other notable personalities joining the list include former football star Ian Wright, acclaimed make-up artist Dame Pat McGrath, and actor Idris Elba.
Kyei expressed that being selected as the top individual on the list feels “incredibly humbling.” As a mother of four, she noted a marked shift in workplace dynamics over the years. Reflecting on the challenges faced by women with families in leadership roles, she stated, “I haven’t seen many women with families in big leadership roles, and I know there are many women who think they have to choose between work and having a family.” She praised the Bank of England for its support of working parents.
With a background in chemistry from Oxford University, Kyei also received a junior research fellowship in organic chemistry from Princeton University. Before her tenure at the Bank of England, she worked as an investment banker and served as chief financial officer at Barclays Bank’s mortgage division.
“You Don’t Have to Be a Mathematician”
Joining the Bank of England in 2019, Kyei has become a key player in its leadership. She attributes her achievements to her parents, who moved from Ghana to the UK for education. “My mother came to Liverpool and trained to be a midwife, working in the NHS for over 40 years,” she shared, adding that her father built a long career in the oil industry. Kyei admired how they managed to balance work and family, instilling strong values in her and her siblings.
Encouraging youth to explore careers in banking, Kyei emphasized that “You don’t have to be a mathematician, you don’t have to be an accountant, you don’t have to be an economist. We’re looking for fresh perspectives.” She has now taken the lead on the Power List, taking over from technology CEO Dean Forbes.
Other Notable Figures on the 2026 Power List
The annual Power List, established in 2007, aims to showcase role models for young Black individuals. Its founder, Michael Evoda, initially thought talent would be scarce in the upcoming years, but trends suggest otherwise. “Over the last 20 years, there’s been a rise in influential figures emerging from the private sector rather than the public sector. This has been a remarkable success story for the UK,” he remarked.
