Afua Kyei Breaks Barriers as First Black Executive Director at Bank of England
Afua Kyei, a British-Ghanaian banker, has made history as one of the most influential figures in British finance. In June 2019, at just 36 years old, she became the youngest and first Black executive director at the Bank of England when she was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director. Her groundbreaking role has inspired a new generation of women and people of African heritage in the finance sector.
Kyei’s academic journey began in South London, where she excelled early on, earning six A-levels and entering Oxford University a year ahead of the usual admission age. She studied chemistry at Somerville College, conducting research in organic synthesis with potential anti-tumour properties, which led to a Junior Research Fellowship at Princeton University. Despite a promising scientific career, she transitioned into finance, working part-time at Burberry before becoming a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young and later an investment banker at UBS.
From 2012 to 2019, Kyei held senior finance positions at Barclays, including Chief Financial Officer for its mortgage business. Her appointment at the Bank of England came while she was on maternity leave, placing her at the helm during significant economic challenges, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 mini-budget crisis. As CFO, she oversees finance, strategy, performance, and taxation, managing a balance sheet that exceeded £1 trillion during the pandemic.
Kyei’s influence extends beyond financial management. She has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as transparency on climate-related matters. In October 2025, she topped the Powerlist 2026, ranking ahead of prominent figures like Idris Elba and Dame Pat McGrath. Her leadership philosophy, rooted in her scientific background, emphasizes analytical thinking and disciplined problem-solving. As a mother of four, she also challenges the notion that women must choose between family and career.