UK's most influential black person named as City of London chief executive
Ian Thomas tops the 2027 Powerlist, with Ashley Walters and Sir Lenny Henry among those honoured
The chief executive of the City of London Corporation has been named the UK's most influential black person in this year's Powerlist.
The list is published by Powerful Media and identifies the UK's most powerful people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage.
Ian Thomas, 57, is the 51st Town Clerk of London.
He is the first black person to lead the City of London's governing body in its more than 900-year history.
The 2027 Powerlist was published on Saturday, following the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Friday night.
The ceremony was hosted by The Apprentice star Tim Campbell.
Adolescence star Ashley Walters also features on the list and was recognised at the gala with a Paramount Entertainer Award.
The 44-year-old actor is known for playing Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the Netflix series, as well as drug dealer Dushane in Channel 4's Top Boy.
Actor Sir Lenny Henry received a Lifetime Achievement Award recognising his contribution to British culture and society.
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 and a production company, Esmerelda Productions, which has championed underrepresented voices.
Entrepreneur and Dragons' Den investor Steven Bartlett and actor, filmmaker and philanthropist Sir Idris Elba also feature in this year's top 10.
Michael Eboda, chief executive of Powerful Media, said: "The purpose of the Powerlist has never changed."
He added: "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."
He went on: "Twenty-one editions on, the evidence of possibility is broader than ever: in boardrooms, in public office, in the Square Mile and in uniform."
He also said: "Talent exists in every community, and the Powerlist provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent within Britain's Black community."
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.
The full Powerlist 2027 top 10 is:
Ian Thomas CBE - Town Clerk and chief executive of the City of London Corporation
Comfort Ero - president and CEO of the International Crisis Group
Professor Grace Ononiwu CBE - director general of legal delivery, Crown Prosecution Service
Emma Grede - chief executive and co-founder of Good American, and founding partner of Skims
Pamela Maynard - chief AI transformation officer at Microsoft MCAPS
Steven Bartlett - entrepreneur and panellist on Dragons' Den
Josh Siaw MBE - partner at White and Case
Sir Idris Elba - actor, filmmaker and philanthropist, and chairman of IE7 and Akuna Group
Ije Nwokorie - chief executive of Dr Martens
Air Vice-Marshal Ola Fashade - director of strategy and military digitalisation within Defence Digital at the UK Ministry of Defence