GINA MILLER, the woman who took on the government over Article 50, and won, was named the country’s most influential black person on the Powerlist 2018 – the annual list of the 100 most influential people of African and African Caribbean heritage in Britain.
The Powerlist, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, was established to highlight the achievements of British people of African and Caribbean heritage. Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, EY, Viacom and ELC, it honours incredible men and women across a wide range of industries including science, technology and the arts.
Entrepreneur Gina, 52, from Chelsea London, claimed number one spot after winning her high-profile court case against the government which forced it to give parliament a vote on whether the UK could start the process of leaving the EU.
Speaking about being voted number one on the Powerlist, Miller, founder and CEO of True and Fair Foundation and founder of SCM Direct, said: “It’s amazing to get an accolade when what I’ve done has solicited a huge amount of abuse. To have somebody acknowledge me is extraordinarily kind and counters a lot of what I still get on a daily basis.”
The Powerlist 2018 top ten are:
1: Gina Miller – Business owner, political activist
2: Ric Lewis – Chief Executive and Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners
3: Ismail Ahmed – World Remit Founder
4: Sharon White – Ofcom Chief
5: Dr Nira Chamberlain – Professional Mathematician
6: Jacky Wright –Chief Digital and Information Officer HMRC
7: Sandra Wallace –UK Managing Partner, DLA Piper
8: Professor Laura Serrant – Professor of Nursing, Sheffield Hallam University
9: Dr Shirley J Thompson – Music composer, visionary and cultural activist
10: Edward Enninful OBE – Editor-in-Chief British Vogue
Winners were honoured yesterday (Oct 24) at the fourth annual Powerlist Influencers Dinner, a black-tie event sponsored by EY, held at the Drapers’ Hall. The awards were hosted by TV presenter June Sarpong and featured an exhibition of historical British black women curated by the Black Cultural Archives.
This year has a witnessed a significant growth in women on the Powerlist, with women making up almost 50 per cent of the top 100.
Unveiling the Powerlist 2018 publisher Michael Eboda said: “I’m particularly proud that the number of the women on the list has increased so substantially. It goes to show how it is possible if one puts one’s mind to it to increase diversity in any sphere.
"Gina was a shoe-in this year for number one, Brexit is the most important political event to happen this century and Gina’s role in ensuring a sovereignty of parliament was recognised by the courts has been monumental and has set a president that will last hundreds of years.”
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