The Duchess of Sussex has been named among the most influential black people in Britain, alongside the world champion heavyweight boxer. Anthony Joshua, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, and the Guardian journalist Gary Younge.

Their names were among 100 to be included on the latest edition of the annual Powerlist, which celebrates Britain’s most influential people of African and African Caribbean heritage.

At the top of the list was Ric Lewis, the chief executive and chairman of Tristan Capital Partners, Britain’s largest black-owned and led company.

Delighted to reveal that this year's Powerlist Number One is the inspirational Ric Lewis, CEO of Tristan Capital Partners, Britain's largest black owned and black run business. He's also the founder of the Black Heart Foundation charity. Congratulations Ric. #powerlist2019 pic.twitter.com/EjVHjS4rSR — POWERLIST (@powerlistmag) October 23, 2018

“I am privileged to have been voted No 1 for 2019,” said Lewis, who also founded the Black Heart Foundation, which helps young people gain access to opportunities they may not otherwise have had, including by providing university tuition funding.

“Over the course of my career, I have been fortunate enough to accumulate the network and means which allow me to give back,” Lewis told the Voice. “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.”

The 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 business-wise, 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.”

Guests were due to be honoured at the Black Excellence gala dinner in the City, where the list was to be officially launched, on Tuesday evening.

The others in the top five were Sharon White, the chief executive of the communications regulator Ofcom; Ismail Ahmed, the founder of the global money transfer service World Remit; Jacky Wright, a vice-president at Microsoft;’ and Sandie Okoro, a vice-president at the World Bank.