Ian Thomas, the chief executive of the City of London Corporation, has been named the United Kingdom's most influential black person in the 2027 edition of the Black Powerlist. Published by Powerful Media, the list was released on Saturday following the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House on Friday night.
Thomas, 57, is the first black person to lead the City of London's governing body in its more than 900-year history. He heads the Powerlist 2027 top 10, which also includes entrepreneur and Dragons' Den investor Steven Bartlett, actor and filmmaker Sir Idris Elba, and Air Vice-Marshal Ola Fashade.
The list recognises the most powerful people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK. Across 21 editions, the Powerlist has previously been topped by former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful and Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton.
At the awards gala, actor Ashley Walters, known for his roles in Netflix's Adolescence and Channel 4's Top Boy, received a Paramount Entertainer Award. Sir Lenny Henry picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award “for his outstanding contribution to British culture and society”. The 69-year-old co-founded Comic Relief, which has helped raise more than £1 billion for charity, and founded the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.
Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, said: "The purpose of the Powerlist has never changed. It exists to show young people of African and African-Caribbean heritage what is possible, in fields they might never have considered but which are accessible. Twenty-one editions on, the evidence of possibility is broader than ever: in boardrooms, in public office, in the Square Mile and in uniform. Talent exists in every community, and the Powerlist provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent within Britain's Black community."
The full top 10 includes Ian Thomas CBE, Comfort Ero, Professor Grace Ononiwu CBE, Emma Grede, Pamela Maynard, Steven Bartlett, Josh Siaw MBE, Sir Idris Elba, Ije Nwokorie, and Air Vice-Marshal Ola Fashade.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Powerlist provides visibility for black professionals in sectors where they remain underrepresented, showing young people what is achievable.
- Ian Thomas's top ranking highlights increasing diversity at the highest levels of UK public institutions, including the centuries-old City of London Corporation.
- The annual recognition continues to expand the narrative of black achievement beyond entertainment and sport into boardrooms, public office, and technology.
Background
The Black Powerlist, published by Powerful Media, has been recognising influential black Britons of African and Caribbean heritage for 21 editions. It was established to highlight role models and has consistently featured leaders from business, the arts, public service, and academia. Previous top names include Edward Enninful and Sir Lewis Hamilton. The 2027 ceremony was held at Grosvenor House in London.
What to Watch
- Whether the increased representation in traditionally non-diverse sectors translates into structural changes in recruitment and leadership pipelines.
- Future editions may track how figures like Thomas influence the next generation of black professionals in the UK.
- The ongoing impact of the Powerlist on public discourse about diversity and inclusion in Britain.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedIan Thomas was named the UK's most influential black person.The Standard London: “The chief executive of the City of London Corporation has been named the UK’s most influential black person. Ian Thomas was named in first place in the 2027 Black Powerlist”
- SupportedThe 2027 Black Powerlist recognises the UK's most powerful people of African and Caribbean heritage.The Standard London: “the 2027 Black Powerlist, which recognises the most powerful people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK.”
- SupportedThe list was published on Saturday after the awards ceremony at Grosvenor House on Friday night.The Standard London: “the 2027 Powerlist was published on Saturday following the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Friday night”
- SupportedMichael Eboda said the Powerlist exists to show young people of African and African-Caribbean heritage what is possible and to recognise talent in Britain's Black community.The Standard London: ““The purpose of the Powerlist has never changed. “It exists to show young people of African and African-Caribbean heritage what is possible”
- SupportedThomas is 57.The Standard London: “Mr Thomas, 57, is the the first black person”
- SupportedThomas is the first black person to lead the City of London's governing body in its more than 900-year history.The Standard London: “Mr Thomas, 57, is the the first black person to lead the City of London’s governing body in its more than 900-year history.”
- SupportedThomas was first in the 2027 Powerlist.The Standard London: “Ian Thomas was named in first place in the 2027 Black Powerlist”
- SupportedThe Powerlist has previously been topped by Edward Enninful and Lewis Hamilton.The Standard London: “The Powerlist has previously been topped by public figures including former British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, and Formula One world champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
- SupportedAshley Walters received a Paramount Entertainer Award at the gala.The Standard London: “Adolescence star Ashley Walters also features on the list and was recognised at the gala with a Paramount Entertainer Award.”
- SupportedWalters is known for roles in Netflix's Adolescence and Channel 4's Top Boy.The Standard London: “The 44-year-old actor is known for starring as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the award-winning Netflix series as well as playing drug dealer Dushane in Channel 4’s Top Boy.”
- SupportedLenny Henry received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to British culture and society.The Standard London: “Actor Sir Lenny Henry also picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award “for his outstanding contribution to British culture and society”.”
- SupportedHenry co-founded Comic Relief, which has helped raise more than £1 billion, and founded the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.The Standard London: “The 69-year-old co-founded Comic Relief, which has helped raise more than £1 billion for charity. He also founded the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity”