GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards

The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards also saw the launch of the 17th Annual GG2 Power List 2026, compiled by senior editors at AMG and reflecting influence across politics, business, media, arts and public life.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood topped this year’s ranking following her appointment to the role in September 2025. She was followed in second place by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who topped last year’s list.

Vidhya Alakeson was ranked third following her appointment as joint acting chief of staff to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in February. Court of Appeal judge Sir Rabinder Singh was fourth, and Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan was fifth.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy was ranked sixth, followed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak in seventh place. Varun Chandra, the prime minister’s special envoy to the US on trade and investment, was eighth. BBC chair Samir Shah ranked ninth, while singer-songwriter Charli XCX completed the top 10.

Top 20 – GG2 Power List 2026

1. Shabana Mahmood – Home secretary

2. Sir Sadiq Khan – Mayor of London

3. Vidhya Alakeson – Joint acting chief of staff to the prime minister

4. Sir Rabinder Singh – Lord Justice, Court of Appeal

5. CS Venkatakrishnan – Chief executive, Barclays

6. Lisa Nandy – Secretary of state for culture, media and sport

7. Rishi Sunak – MP and former prime minister

8. Varun Chandra – Prime minister’s special envoy to the US on trade and investment
9. Samir Shah – Chair, BBC

10. Charli XCX – Singer-songwriter

11. Lakshmi Mittal and Aditya Mittal – ArcelorMittal

12. Riz Ahmed – Actor

13. Leena Nair – Global chief executive, Chanel

14. Lord Jitesh Gadhia – Member, House of Lords / Bank of England

15. The Hinduja family – Hinduja Group

16. Seema Malhotra – Minister

17. Dame Bobbie Cheema-Grubb – High Court judge

18. Dr Zubir Ahmed – Parliamentary under secretary of state (health)

19. Indhu Rubasingham – Artistic director, National Theatre

20. Kanishka Narayan – Parliamentary under secretary of state (AI and online safety)

This year’s list includes 23 new entries and 30 women, reflecting the breadth and depth of south Asian talent across Britain and the increasing representation of ethnic minorities in positions of influence.

The GG2 Power List highlights individuals across sectors including politics, business, media, arts and public service, and is recognised as a benchmark of influence within Britain’s south Asian community.