Ian Thomas, chief executive of the City of London Corporation, has been named the UK's most influential Black Briton in the 2027 Black Powerlist, according to the award body. The list recognises the most powerful people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK.
Thomas, 57, is the first Black person to oversee the Square Mile's governing body in its more than 900-year history. The award body said he is "a respected public-service leader with over 30 years' experience in local government."
Thomas said he secured the role in 2022 only after seven interviews and an election. "When I started my journey in public service, I never, ever thought, [not] in a million years, that I'd be recognised in this way," he told the BBC.
As chief executive, he oversees around 5,000 staff. His responsibilities include the City of London Police, 11,000 acres of open spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, and advocacy for the UK's financial and professional services sector.
Other names in the top ten include entrepreneurs Emma Grede and Steven Bartlett, and actor and filmmaker Sir Idris Elba. Comfort Ero, president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, takes second place. Comedian Sir Lenny Henry received a Lifetime Achievement award for co-founding Comic Relief, which has raised over £1.6bn since 1985.
Thomas replaces last year's top-ranked figure, Afua Kyei, the Bank of England's chief financial officer and executive director.