CEO Ric Lewis tops Powerlist 2019

CEO Ric Lewis, Duchess of Sussex and Edward Enninful are named most influential black Britons on the Powerlist 2019

London: Tuesday 23 October, 2018: Ric Lewis, CEO and Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners is today named the country’s most influential black person on the Powerlist 2019 – the annual list of the 100 most powerful people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.

He is joined on the list by new entrant, the Duchess of Sussex, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, Edward Enniful, and Chief Executive of Ofcom, Sharon White.

Produced in partnership with J.P. Morgan and sponsored by EY, Linklaters, and the Executive Leadership Council, the Powerlist, now in its 12th year, honours incredible men and women across a wide range of industries including science, technology and the arts. 

Guests will be celebrated at a black-tie dinner to be held at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London. Past event keynote speakers include Prime Minister Theresa May and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. On the night, veteran newsreader Moira Stuart will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her amazing broadcasting career. She was the first female newsreader of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.

Ric is veteran in the world of international real estate investment management, there are few more respected names than his. He serves as Chief Executive and Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners, which has increased its total assets under management by over 30% in the last year to in excess of €10 billion. Today, the London-based firm which Lewis founded in 2009, is regarded as one of the leading real estate investment managers in Europe and is the largest black majority-owned private company in Britain.

The Powerlist 2019 Top Ten are: 

1: Ric Lewis – Chief Executive and Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners

2: Sharon White –Chief Executive, Ofcom

3: Ismail Ahmed – World Remit Founder

4: Jacky Wright – Corporate Vice President and Interim CIO, Microsoft

5: Sandie Okoro – Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel at the World Bank 

6: Ebele Okobi – Public Policy Director, Africa, Facebook

7: Professor Funmi Olonisakin – Vice President and Vice Principal International, King’s College 

8: Paulette Rowe – Global Head, Payments and Financial Services Partnerships at Facebook

9: Edward Enninful OBE – Editor-in-Chief, British Vogue

10: Richard Inferenta – KPMG Partner, Head of Challenger Banking.

Outside of work, Ric is a passionate advocate for removing the barriers to aspiration and achievement for children and young adults, in particular through his own charity the Black Heart Foundation - www.blackheartfoundation.org. Each year, the Foundation provides educational scholarships to young people in need in the UK and abroad. 

Speaking about topping the Powerlist 2019, Ric, said: “I am privileged to have been voted number one for 2019. Over the course of my career, I have been fortunate enough to accumulate the network and means, which allow me to give back. I hope to use this accolade to continue to advance the charitable causes I feel most passionate about, with the express aim of helping a greater number of children and young adults aspire to and achieve more. I have a deep belief that if kids are provided with inspiration, encouragement and the resources and pastoral care they need, great things can happen for them and for our community. It’s up to all of us to find our own ways to connect the dots and make this happen.”

Powerlist 2019 Editor Eva Simpson said: "Everyone on the Powerlist is an incredible individual and it's great to celebrate their success and share their stories each year. Not only have they excelled in their chosen professions, they are role models, many of them act as mentors, who inspire young people across the country."

Tia Counts, Head of Advancing Black Leaders for EMEA, J.P. Morgan said: “At J.P. Morgan, we are passionate about fostering a strong culture of inclusion, drawing on our employees’ diverse perspectives and celebrating successes of people of Black heritage both within and outside the firm. By showcasing these role models, we hope to inspire the next generation of young Black leaders across the U.K. We are proud to support the Powerlist and send warm congratulations to everyone featured in this year’s list.”

Powerlist 2019 Publisher Michael Eboda said: “One thing that people who know Ric all agree on is that over the years he has become more successful personally and businesswise, but he has never forgotten the charitable causes he believes in. Topping our Powerlist is never simply about how successful you are in what you do, just as importantly, it’s also about what you do for the good of society as a whole and Ric continues to excel on both fronts.”

Tyrone Edward, Associate Partner at EY said: “Positive role models that can show the next generation just what is possible, is key to boosting diversity across all sectors of society, including the world of business. That is why EY has supported the work of the Powerlist for over 12 years, helping to celebrate the achievements of people of African and African-Caribbean heritage in Britain.

“This year in particular, we are proud to showcase the work of the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), who has been awarded the inaugural EY Cornerstone Award that recognises the efforts of those who have contributed to the well-being of a community.

“The ACLT has signed up some 70,000 people to the World Bone Marrow Registry, registered tens of thousands of people as blood donors and have directly been involved in saving the lives of more than 70 people. We congratulate the ACLT and all those listed in this year’s Power List.”