Page 114 - Powerlist 2020

Hall of Fame Blackett Tidjane Ibrahim

Karen
Dr Mo
Thiam

WPP Country Manager; Chief Executive, Philanthropist
Chairwoman, Mediacom Credit Suisse

Karen was the first Tidjane is the Chief Executive for Billionaire Dr Ibrahim, who has
businesswoman to head the Credit Suisse and Zurich. Prior previously topped this list, was
Powerlist when she was Number to this, he gained a formidable one of the most powerful men in
One in 2014. reputation as Chief Executive of mobile communications.
In 2018 was she was appointed the Prudential. Today, he invests his time in
the WPP Country Manager in His appointment saw him philanthropology through the
addition to her role as Chair of become the first black person to Mo Ibrahim Foundation which he
Mediacom UK, cementing her lead a FTSE 100 company. set up after selling his business
position as one of the most Since joining the Swiss bank, he in 2006 for more than $3bn.
powerful people in the advertising has been leading on a number of His company Celtel had over 24
industry. Karen is one of the crucial changes, aiming to shed the million mobile phone subscribers
leading voices in the campaign for negative image that has existed across the African continent when
boardroom diversity. Last year around investment banking in it was sold.
she became one of four external recent years. In an effort to reduce
advisers to the Civil Service, a corruption, he announced The
direct appointment of its head, Sir His efforts at the bank have been Ibrahim Prize, which awards
Jeremy Heywood. largely celebrated by the industry. $5million to a former African
In July 2018, prominent business
Her reputation was further and finance magazine Euromoney head of state who has left office
cemented in 2014, when she named Thiam “Banker of the Year in the past three years, having
received an OBE in the Queen’s 2018”, crediting his “radical three- shown excellence and high moral
Birthday honours for services to year plan” that had “reinvented” fortitude during their elected
Media and Communications. Credit Suisse. term.

Gina Miller Gina has rarely been out of the news over the past couple of years. Her
outspoken views on the Brexit debate have made her one of the most well-
known figures on the topic.
In 2019, she took on Boris Johnson in the Supreme Court and won a
Best for Britain campaigner, landmark judgement against his prorogation of Parliament, effectively
and founder SCMDirect.com, putting an end to the Prime Minister’s Brexit bullying tactics.
MoneyShe.com, SCM50.com, It wasn’t her first such victory. Three years prior, she held the government
True and Fair Foundation to account over who had the power to trigger Article 50, recruiting law firm
Mishcon de Reya to mount legal challenge after describing it as “the most
important constitutional law case in living memory”.
Her efforts forced Theresa May to get parliamentary approval for
triggering Article 50.
Gina’s campaign, Best for Britain, has been a tough response to supporters
of a hard Brexit. She raised more than £400,000 to fund the project, which
she donated to pro-Remain MPs, aiming to raise voter turnout and to inform
people of how to vote tactically against a hard Brexit.
Guyanese-born Gina has also made a name for herself in the City for
her stand against long-standing attacks the “hidden charges” levied by
fund managers. She co-founded SCM Private and has worked in the retail
financial services sector since 1992. She is passionate about consumer
protection and says financial companies have a duty to manage people’s
money with honesty and integrity.
114 PowerList 2020