Afua Kyei, a senior finance director at the Bank of England, has earned the prestigious honor. As a result, she has reclaimed the title of the most influential black person in the UK in 2026’s edition of the annual Powerlist. This recognition highlights her significant contributions to the banking sector and her role as a mentor for young black individuals aspiring to enter finance. The Powerlist, first created back in 2007, seeks to highlight positive role models who can encourage and inspire the next generation.
Kyei, 43, is responsible for the financial governance of the Bank’s £1 trillion in assets and provides direction on reforms to its funding practices. She’s perhaps best remembered for being recruited by Mark Carney during his time as governor of the Bank of England. Kyei has laid an impressive groundwork academically as she embarks on her career. After studying chemistry at Oxford University, she received a junior research fellowship in organic chemistry from Princeton University.
Kyei’s family immigrated to the UK from Ghana when she was 18, in search of education opportunities. Her mother, who trained as a midwife, spent more than 40 years working with the National Health Service (NHS). Reflecting on her upbringing, Kyei noted,
“My mother came to Liverpool, trained to become a midwife and enjoyed a 40-year plus career working for the NHS.”
This foundation has shaped Kyei’s dedication to serving a mission of working families in her professional space as well.
Kyei said the recognition is “the most humbling thing ever.” It’s her hope that they too will want to inspire even more young people to pursue careers in banking. Above all, she champions the inclusion of diverse perspectives within the industry.
“You don’t need to be a mathematician, you don’t need to be an accountant and you don’t need to be an economist. What we’re looking for is fresh perspectives and we want the best people,” Kyei stated.
Kyei shared her observations regarding women in leadership roles, discussing the challenges that often accompany family life in such positions.
“I didn’t see so many women in big leadership roles who had families,” she remarked.
Her advocacy for inclusive workplace policies is further evidence of her commitment to creating it as a place where all talent — no matter their background — can flourish.
Kyei replaces Dean Forbes at the top of the Powerlist, a testament to her influence and leadership within the banking sector. Kyei is already making waves at the Bank of England with her groundbreaking work. Beyond this work, she is passionate about ensuring younger generations and improving the climate for young professionals of all kinds.