City of London chief named UK’s most influential black Briton

The chief executive of the City of London corporation has been named the UK’s most influential black Briton in this year’s Powerlist. Ian Thomas, the 51st Town Clerk of London and first black person to lead the City of London’s governing body, was given the title on Saturday by Powerful Media. The City of London Corporation is an administrative body with responsibility for London’s central financial district, headed by the Lord Mayor. The list identifies the UK’s most powerful people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage.

Thomas’ role As chief executive Thomas oversees roughly 5,000 staff, including the City of London Police, and 11,000 acres of open space such as Hampstead Heath. He also acts as an advocate for the UK’s financial and professional services sector. Before joining the City of London Corporation, Thomas served as chief executive of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames where he oversaw public services and a £1.2bn regeneration programme.

He was appointed a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours in the wake of the Rotheram abuse scandal, for transforming children’s services during his tenure as strategic director for children and young people at Rotheram Metropolitan Borough Council. Thomas replaces last year’s incumbent, Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s chief financial officer and executive director, and is joined on this year’s list by Comfort Ero, the president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, who took second place.

Others listed Actor Ashley Walters, who is best known for appearances in Adolescence and Top Boy, featured on the list alongside Sir Lenny Henry. Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett and Sir Idris Elba also made the top ten. 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.” The Powerlist has previously been topped by public figures including Vogue’s editor in chief Edward Enninful and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.