Behold! The Most Influential Black Briton: Nigerian-born Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa

Nigerian-born Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa, OBE, was in the order of procession for the Queen’s funeral last week.

Sir Kenneth Olisa was born in the UK in 1951 to a Nigerian law student father and British mother. He never met his father.

He is High Bailiff and Searcher of the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey, a lay role by which he was connected with the funeral, to which he was appointed 2021.

The High Bailiff acts as one of the principal external advisers to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey, and takes part in the Abbey’s most significant ceremonial occasions.

But he’s also, since 2015, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, making hom the first black Briton so honoured.

This is a very important ‘palace chieftaincy’, one of 96 courtiers who function as the Queen’s personal representatives in their localities.

They stand in for the Queen when unable to attend an event locally.

They also welcome her when she visits their locality.

A successful businessman and philanthropist, Olisa is on the boards of a number of quoted companies.

He’s founder Interregnum, a merchant bank, and also the managing partner at Restoration Partners.

He’s past Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (basically tech bros with a royal seal!)

He is also the Chairman of Interswitch.

He and wife endowed the £2m Olisa Library at his alma mater, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied Natural Sciences & later Political & Management Science.

He also heads a relatively newly foundation, Charles Olisa Charity Foundation named for his late father, Charles Olisa of Aboh, Delta State, who died in 1963.

It aims to aid SMEs.

He’s widely seen as the most influential black Briton.

It’s not known if he will continue to serve the new king as Lord-Lieutenant.

*@GbenroAdegbola

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