Afua Kyei, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Bank of England (BoE), has secured the number one position on the 2026 Powerlist, the prestigious annual ranking that recognizes the most influential Black individuals across the UK.

At just 43 years old, Kyei holds one of the most powerful roles in British finance, responsible for the financial governance of the Bank’s immense $£1$ trillion balance sheet. This achievement solidifies her standing as a leading figure in the UK's financial landscape.

Kyei acknowledged the honor, calling the recognition "incredibly humbling." Her journey is deeply rooted in the strong values instilled by her parents. Immigrating from Ghana to the UK for university, her mother built a decades-long career as an NHS midwife, while her father succeeded in the oil industry. Kyei credits observing their dedication to both work and home as a key influence.

Breaking Barriers in Finance

Kyei brings a distinctive background to the BoE’s core decision-making team. She is an alumna of Oxford University, where she studied Chemistry, and also held a junior research fellowship in organic chemistry at Princeton University. Prior to joining the Bank of England in 2019, her career included time as an investment banker during the global financial crisis and later as CFO for Mortgages at Barclays.

Beyond her financial achievements, Kyei is a vocal champion for diversity and work-life balance. As a mother of four, she noted the lack of visible senior leaders who also had families when she was growing up. She praises the Bank of England for its robust support of working parents and families.

Furthermore, she is actively working to change perceptions of who belongs in finance, encouraging young people to explore careers in the sector by stating: "You don't need to be a mathematician... What we're looking for is fresh perspectives and we want the best people."