Gina Miller has come out on top in the latest annual list of the 100 most influential people of African or African-Caribbean heritage in Britain.
Published by the Powerlist Foundation on Tuesday, the list also includes Ric Lewis, chief executive and chair of Tristan Capital Partners and Edward Enninful, the first male editor of Vogue.
Miller was responsible for the legal challenge which forced Theresa May to consult Parliament before starting the process of leaving the EU. As a result, the lawyer has faced a campaign of abuse since leading the challenge, including an acid-attack threat.
Back in July, aristocrat Rhodri Philipps was jailed for 12 weeks for offering to pay someone £5,000 to run over Miller.
“It’s amazing to get an accolade when what I’ve done has solicited a huge amount of abuse,” said Miller.
“To have somebody acknowledge me is extraordinarily kind and counters a lot of what I still get on a daily basis.”
Miller’s recognition comes with significant growth in the number of black women on the Powerlist, as almost half of the top 100, and six of the top 10 are female.
Powerlist 2018’s publisher, Michael Eboda, said: “I’m particularly proud that the number of the women on the list has increased so substantially. Gina was a shoo-in this year for number one.
“Brexit is the most important political event to happen this century and Gina’s role in ensuring the sovereignty of parliament was recognised by the courts, has been monumental and has set a precedent that will last hundreds of years.”
Ric Lewis took second place in the list, whilst Ismail Ahmed, Founder of the money transfer company World Remit, came third.
Women who made the top ten include Sharon White, chief executive of Ofcom, who took fourth place. Edward Enniful, Editor of Vogue rounds up the top 10.
Last year’s number one was educational philanthropist Tom Illube. Others who have topped the list include architect David Adjaye, and author Malorie Blackman.
