Powerlist 2020: Meghan Markle and Stormzy named among Britain’s most influential black people

Edward Enninful and Pat McGrath also included

(Getty Images)

The Duchess of Sussex and Stormzy are among the most influential black people in Britain, according to a new ranking.

The Powerlist has been running for 13 years and celebrates 100 people of African and African Caribbean heritage in the UK in the business, science, technology and arts industries. The list is chosen by a panel chaired by retired High Court judge, Dame Linda Dobbs.

Only the top 10 names are ranked. The grime artist came in fifth place while Meghan Markle has been named in the public, third sector and education group but is not included in the top 10.

Other names in the top 10 are make-up artist Pat McGrath (second place) and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who ranked in sixth place.

New entrants included model and activist Adwoa Aboah, who has been included in the arts, fashion and design category, and England footballer Raheem Sterling, who has been praised for his work in tackling racism and is named in the sport section.

Topping the list is Ismail Ahmed, who set up pioneering money transfer firm WorldRemit in 2010, which helps migrants wire money back home to support their families and friends.

Mr Ahmed left Somalia in 1988 at the start of the civil war and moved to London where he began studying, picking strawberries to fund his education. Mr Ahmed also sent some of the money he earned back to his family who were living in refugee camps.

“When I was growing up in Somaliland, I saw how money sent back home by migrants could transform the lives of individuals and entire communities," said Mr Ahmed.

“When I came to London to study and started to send money back home, I was frustrated by the inconvenience and cost of transferring money through traditional agents.

“I was determined to find a better way and I set up WorldRemit in 2010 with the mission of making it easier and faster for migrants to send money home.”