Afua Kyei: The Trailblazing CFO Transforming the Bank of England and Redefining Leadership in UK Finance
Who Is Afua Kyei?
Afua Serwah Kyei is one of the most powerful, influential, and respected figures in British finance. Rising from a distinguished academic background to become the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Bank of England, she represents a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and inspirational excellence. Recognised as the #1 Most Influential Black Person in the UK (Powerlist 2026), Afua Kyei stands as a modern symbol of progress, representation, and exceptional professional achievement.
Early Life and Family Background of Afua Kyei
Afua Kyei’s Age and Origins
Born on 15 October 1982, Afua Kyei is 43 years old. She was born in London to Ghanaian parents who instilled in her a strong work ethic, academic discipline, and pride in her heritage.
Afua Kyei’s Parents and Upbringing
Her family story is both inspiring and foundational to her success.
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Her father came to the UK on a scholarship after achieving outstanding academic results in West Africa, pursuing engineering.
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Her mother moved from Ghana to study midwifery at the age of 18 and went on to work for around four decades in the NHS.
Afua often credits her parents for teaching her resilience, faith, and determination — qualities that would later become central to her leadership journey.
Education and Academic Excellence
Old Palace School of John Whitgift
Afua Kyei attended this prestigious school as an academic scholar, demonstrating excellence from an early age.
Somerville College, University of Oxford
She studied MChem (Master of Chemistry) under the supervision of world-renowned scientists in Professor Sir Jack Baldwin’s research group. Her time at Somerville was transformative both academically and personally — it is also where she met her future husband.
Junior Research Fellowship at Princeton University
Selected for a competitive research placement, Afua moved to the United States for a Junior Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry at Princeton University. Her work showcased advanced analytical thinking and scientific problem-solving — skills that would later shape her financial leadership.
Professional Qualifications
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Chartered Accountant (CA) — Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
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Part-qualified CFA — demonstrating strength in investment and financial analysis
Her academic and professional training positions her as one of the most broadly skilled financial executives in the UK.
Career Journey of Afua Kyei
Early Career at EY and UBS
Afua began her career at EY in Audit & Assurance before moving into Corporate Finance. She later joined UBS Investment Bank, working in major areas including:
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Mergers & Acquisitions
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Strategy
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Divestments
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Capital raising
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Asset management
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European banking coverage
This period gave her a global perspective and deep exposure to complex financial systems.
Leadership Roles at Barclays
From 2012 to 2019, Afua Kyei held senior leadership roles at Barclays, including:
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Director, Head of Business Planning & Analytics (Group COO)
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Finance Director, IB Operations & Technology
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Chief Financial Officer, Mortgages — overseeing a £135bn balance sheet
Her work contributed to Barclays’ major cost-transformation programme, delivering significant operational efficiency improvements.
Afua Kyei at the Bank of England
Becoming CFO at Age 36
In 2019, Afua was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Bank of England by then Governor Mark Carney — making history as one of the youngest and most senior women ever to hold this position.
Her Responsibilities
Afua oversees the Bank’s finance, strategy, performance, and tax functions. She reports directly to Governor Andrew Bailey and plays a core role in:
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Managing the Bank’s £600bn–£1 trillion balance sheet
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Overseeing the Asset Purchase Facility (QE vehicle)
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Supervising the Covid Corporate Financing Facility
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Supporting the Alternative Liquidity Facility
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Leading climate change financial disclosure
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Acting as Executive Sponsor for Diversity & Inclusion
Her leadership has been critical during major events including Brexit, Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the UK cost-of-living crisis.
Afua Kyei’s Salary and Net Worth (Estimated)
Afua Kyei Salary
The Bank of England does not publish individual salaries for Executive Directors. However, based on the official senior pay bands:
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Executive Director total remuneration typically ranges between £180,000 to £300,000+ per year.
This places Afua among the highest-paid public financial executives in the UK.
Afua Kyei Net Worth
There is no public disclosure of her net worth.
However, based on:
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Two decades in senior banking roles
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High-level executive positions
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Public remuneration bands
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Awards and professional standing
Her estimated net worth is likely in the low millions, though exact figures remain private.
Afua Kyei’s Husband and Children
Who Is Afua Kyei’s Husband?
Afua Kyei is married to Robert Dickinson, a Somerville College alumnus who studied Modern History. Their relationship began during their time at Oxford. The two married on 27 August 2011 at the Brompton Oratory in London — a fact confirmed by community records and Somerville College publications.
Afua Kyei’s Children
Afua and Robert have four children, balancing family life with two demanding professional careers. Afua has publicly shared how motherhood has shaped her perspective on leadership, resilience, and prioritising what matters most.
Awards, Honours, and Recognition
Major Awards
Afua Kyei’s accomplishments have earned her numerous prestigious honours, including:
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#1 Most Influential Black Person in the UK (Powerlist 2026)
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Powerlist Executive of the Year (2025)
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CFO of the Year (Women in Finance Awards, 2021)
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Listed in the 100 Most Reputable Africans (2023)
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Britvic Kindness & Leadership – Leading Lights (2022)
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Freedom of the City of London (2023)
Honorary Fellow
In 2023, Afua was appointed Honorary Fellow of Somerville College, recognising her exceptional contributions to finance, leadership, and public service.
The Leadership Legacy of Afua Kyei
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Afua is widely admired for her integrity, intelligence, and commitment to public service. As a Black woman leading one of the most powerful institutions in the UK, she represents hope, representation, and progress for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Impact on UK Finance
Her work directly supports:
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Financial stability
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Central bank governance
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Crisis management
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Climate-related financial transparency
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Diversity and inclusion within the Bank
Conclusion: Why Afua Kyei Matters
Afua Kyei is more than a financial executive — she is a symbol of what dedication, intellect, and integrity can achieve. From her scientific beginnings to her meteoric rise in global finance, she has carved a place in history as one of the UK’s most influential leaders. Her story inspires not only those in finance but anyone striving to break barriers and lead with purpose.
FAQs
1. Who is Afua Kyei?
Afua Kyei is a British financial executive who has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director of the Bank of England since 2019. She is recognised as one of the most influential figures in UK finance and was ranked the #1 Most Influential Black Person in the UK on the Powerlist 2026. Her career includes senior roles at Barclays, UBS, EY, and significant contributions to Britain’s financial stability during major national and global crises.
2. Who is Afua Kyei’s husband?
Afua Kyei is married to Robert Dickinson, an alumnus of Somerville College, University of Oxford. The couple met during their student years and later married on 27 August 2011 at the Brompton Oratory in London. They have built a strong family foundation while both pursuing high-level professional careers.
3. Does Afua Kyei have children?
Yes. Afua Kyei is a mother of four children. She has spoken about balancing a demanding executive career with motherhood and often credits her family life for grounding her and shaping her approach to leadership and resilience.
4. What is Afua Kyei’s salary and net worth?
The exact salary of Afua Kyei is not publicly disclosed. However, Bank of England Executive Director remuneration typically falls between £180,000 and £300,000+ per year based on official pay bands. While her net worth is not officially published, her long career in senior banking roles suggests that she likely has a net worth in the low millions, though this remains an estimate rather than a reported figure.
5. What is Afua Kyei’s educational background?
Afua Kyei has an exceptional academic history. She studied Chemistry at Somerville College, University of Oxford, completing an MChem as part of Professor Sir Jack Baldwin’s research group. She later undertook a Junior Research Fellowship at Princeton University in Organic Chemistry. She is also a Chartered Accountant (ICAS) and part-qualified CFA, further strengthening her expertise across science, finance, and strategic leadership.
