City of London chief named UK's most influential Black Briton

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 10:33 · Archive

Ian Thomas, chief executive of the City of London Corporation, has been named the UK's most influential Black person in the 2027 Black Powerlist. The 57-year-old is the first Black person to lead the City of London's governing body in its more than 900-year history. The list was published by Powerful Media on Saturday following the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Friday night, hosted by The Apprentice star Tim Campbell.

Thomas has over 30 years' experience in local government and is the 51st Town Clerk of London. He told the BBC that he secured the role only following 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 said.

Other names in this year's top ten include entrepreneur and Dragon's Den investor Steven Bartlett, and actor, filmmaker and philanthropist Sir Idris Elba. Ashley Walters, known for starring as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the Netflix series Adolescence and as drug dealer Dushane in Channel 4's Top Boy, was recognised at the gala with a Paramount Entertainer Award.

Sir Lenny Henry, aged 69, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award 'for his outstanding contribution to British culture and society'. He co-founded Comic Relief, which has helped raise more than one billion pounds for charity. He also founded the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and production company Esmerelda Productions, which has championed underrepresented voices.

Now in its 21st year, the Black Powerlist recognises the most powerful people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK. Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, said the list aims to show young people of African and Caribbean heritage 'what is possible, in fields they might never have considered'.

City of London chief named UK's most influential Black Briton — Image: Evening Standard

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How it is being reported

City of London boss named UK’s most influential black BritonIan Thomas is the first black person to oversee the Square Mile's governing body in its more than 900-year historyEvening Standard · 31 Oct, 10:24
City of London chief named UK’s most influential Black Briton in yearly Powerlist rankingSteven Bartlett and Sir Idris Elba also featured in the top tenThe Independent · 31 Oct, 10:19
City of London chief Ian Thomas named UK’s most influential black BritonThe business leader was honoured following the Black Excellence Awards in London.Independent Business · 31 Oct, 09:38
City of London chief Ian Thomas named UK’s most influential black BritonThe business leader was honoured following the Black Excellence Awards in London.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 09:38
City of London chief tops UK Black PowerlistIan Thomas, who heads the City of London Corporation, tops the Black Powerlist in its 21st year.BBC Business · 30 Oct, 18:00

In this story: Ian Thomas · City of London Corporation · Sir Lenny Henry · Steven Bartlett · Sir Idris Elba · Powerful Media · Comic Relief

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