On the morning of October 24, 2025, Powerful Media unveiled the 2026 Powerlist, celebrating the 100 most influential Black Britons whose impact continues to shape culture, business, politics, and society.
Later that evening, at the Gala Awards event, the organization also announced the honourees of this year’s Celebration of Black Excellence (COBE) Awards, recognising individuals who have inspired change, broken barriers, and paved the way for future generations.
Below is a list of the COBE Award categories and their esteemed recipients.
Powerlist 2025 PwC Purpose Award
For consistently living out ‘purpose’, and demonstrating solving societal problems and helping drive change in her community.
Winner: Professor Faye Ruddock DL
Professor Faye Ruddock is the Founding Chair of the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)and Chair of Health Equity and Director of the Institute of Health Equity& Social Justice at the University of Greater Manchester.
Through CAHN, she leads a movement to end health inequalities and systemic disparities affecting Caribbean and African communities within a generation. Her vision focuses on embedding racial and social justice at the heart of healthcare delivery and cross-sector policy
Other honourees:
- Stormzy (Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.) – Rapper, songwriter, and philanthropist, recognised for his #Merky Foundation and Cambridge University scholarships for Black students.
- Harry Matovu KC – Barrister and King’s Counsel at Brick Court Chambers, co-founder of the Black Talent Charter, which promotes equality and opportunity at every level of business.
Powerlist 2025 ELC Executive of the Year Award
For an executive showing excellence in a corporate setting, from a leadership, performance, and progress perspective
Winner: Carlos Treadway
Carlos Treadway serves as Executive Vice President International of Ford Credit, overseeing global operations for the $158 billion financial services arm of Ford Motor Company.
Previously CEO of Ford Credit Europe, he managed one of the UK’s largest banks, generating $400 million in annual revenue. With a two-decade career across the US, China, and Europe, Treadway’s leadership has combined financial excellence with mentorship and advocacy for equitable education access worldwide.
Other honourees:
- Pamela Maynard – Chief AI Transformation Officer, Microsoft MCAPS, formerly CEO of Avanade, a global digital innovator in the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Kojo Boakye – Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey at Meta
Powerlist 2025 BP Business of the Year
For a black-owned business that can demonstrate growth potential, innovation, community engagement and strong management and leadership.
Winner: ScreenHits TV
Founded by Rose Hulse, ScreenHits TV is a London-based media technology company revolutionising the streaming landscape. Its platform aggregates services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, allowing users to manage multiple subscriptions seamlessly in one place.
Hulse’s innovation has positioned ScreenHits TV as a standout British tech success story in the global entertainment industry.
Other honourees:
- Nala’s Baby – Run by CEO and rapper Krept, the clean beauty brand champions safe, natural skincare for families.
- Flake Bake – Father-son duo Paul and Mike Williams, makers of award-winning handmade Jamaican patties stocked in over 1,000 Aldi stores.
- Jacaranda Books – Founded by Valerie Brandes, the award-winning independent publishing house is dedicated to championing diverse voices, with a particular focus on Black British, African, and Caribbean authors.
Powerlist 2025 Meta Technology, Innovation & AI Award
For an outstanding individual or organisation, making significant contribution to their community, through passion and selflessness
Winner: Dr Simon Osindero
Dr Simon Osindero is Director of Research at Google DeepMind, where he leads the Agent Frontiers team pioneering new directions in artificial intelligence.
His research bridges machine learning, cognitive science and neuroscience, focusing on intrinsic motivation, cooperation, and understanding in AI systems. A Cambridge PhD graduate, Osindero’s work continues to shape the future of responsible AI globally.
Other honourees:
- Danielle Belgrave – Vice President of AI and Machine Learning, GSK, and former DeepMind scientist advancing AI-driven drug discovery.
- William Isaac – Principal Scientist, Google DeepMind, specialising in AI ethics, governance, and the societal impact of emerging technologies.
Powerlist 2025 Salesforce Woman of the Year Award
For a woman who has demonstrated excellence in leadership in her domain or broader society.
Winner: Bernardine Evaristo
Author, poet, and academic Bernardine Evaristo made history as the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.
In 2025, she became the President of the Royal Society of Literature, the first Black person to hold the role since its founding in 1820.
Through works like Mr Loverman and Manifesto: On Never Giving Up, Evaristo continues to champion underrepresented voices in literature and advocate for structural change across the arts.
Other nominees:
- Miss Samantha Tross – Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, the UK’s first Black female surgeon, renowned for her work in hip and knee surgery.
- Sharon Thomas – Founder of the Black Counsel Forum, an organisation dedicated to empowering, connecting, and advancing Black legal professionals across the UK.
Powerlist 2025 Paramount Entertainer Award
For an actor, singer or musician who has set the highest standards in their profession throughout their career.
Winner: Vanessa Williams
A multi-talented artist, singer, actress and producer, Vanessa Williams has captivated audiences for over three decades.
Known for her iconic roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, she continues to shine on stage, most recently starring in the West End production of The Devil Wears Prada.
Other honourees:
- Cynthia Erivo – Multi-award-winning British actress and singer, star of Wicked: For Good (2025) and Vice President of RADA.
- Damson Idris – British actor and entrepreneur, acclaimed for his leading role as Franklin Saint in FX’s Snowfall.
Powerlist 2025 London Stock Exchange Group Global Executive Leader Award
For an outstanding leader, based outside the UK, who has demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation, and had a transformative impact on their organisation.
Winner: Mohamed Kande, Chairman, PwC
As Chairman of PwC, Mohamed Kande oversees one of the world’s largest professional services networks, shaping strategy across more than 150 countries. With a background spanning engineering and consulting, Kande has championed innovation, sustainability, and inclusive leadership at the highest levels of global business.
His work continues to influence how organisations navigate transformation and growth in a rapidly changing world.
Powerlist 2025 Mastercard Leadership in Business, Global Award
For an outstanding leader, based outside the UK, who has demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation, and had a transformative impact on their organisation.
Winner: Dame Pat McGrath DBE
Dame Pat McGrath is the world’s most influential makeup artist, affectionately known as the “Mother of Makeup.”
She is the founder of Pat McGrath Labs, a billion-dollar enterprise celebrated for its boundary-breaking innovation, extreme glamour, and commitment to inclusivity, which recently marked its 10th anniversary in 2025.
In a landmark career expansion, Dame Pat McGrath was named Creative Director for Cosmetics for the launch of La Beauté Louis Vuitton in Fall 2025, overseeing the luxury house’s first makeup collection.
Powerlist 2025 JPMorgan Outstanding Achievement & Contribution Award
For achievement at the highest level and personified excellence over a protracted period of time.
Winner: Kanya King CBE
Kanya King CBE is the founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, the groundbreaking platform that has celebrated music of Black origin for nearly three decades. Through MOBO, King has transformed the British cultural landscape, providing visibility, recognition and opportunity for generations of artists and creatives.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to diversity have made her one of the most influential figures in entertainment and beyond.
Powerlist 2025 HSBC Powerlist No. 1
Voted by our judging panel to top this year’s list,
Winner: Afua Kyei
Afua Kyei serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Bank of England, one of the most senior positions in British finance.
A chartered accountant with a distinguished international career, she plays a vital role in shaping the financial and operational strategy of the UK’s central bank.
Her leadership, integrity and influence make her a defining figure in modern finance — and the 2026 Powerlist No. 1.
