The Nottingham-born man ranked at the top of the ‘Black Power List’ says he wishes the honour didn’t even exist.
Ken Olisa, from Hyson Green, was recently announced as top of the 2016 Power List – beating Sir Lenny Henry, Mo Farah and Baroness Lawrence.
The award aims to celebrate the achievements of ethnic minorities, but has been criticised by some for encouraging segregation.
Speaking to Notts TV News the 64-year-old businessman, who now lives and works mainly in London, said: “As soon as the power list becomes irrelevant the better – we’re not ready yet as there are lots of people who still think the colour of your skin stops you from being successful.”
He was picked to top this year’s list after his charity work and contributions to business – as the first black director of a FTSE-100 company.
The first black bus conductor was front page news, now we have a black Lord-lieutenant!
Mr Olisa grew up in Hyson Green during the 1950’s and remembers when the first black man was appointed as a bus conductor.
“It was front page news, no one could believe that a black man could become a bus conductor, and now fifty years on, a black person has become a representative of Her Majesty the Queen.”
Despite his objections to winning the award Mr Olisa said he was delighted to receive it.
He said: “I am delighted, it’s somewhat humble to have a group of people I don’t really know sit down and sift through hundreds of nominations and decide that I come top.”
Mr Olisa serves as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London, and is responsible for her formal arrangements whilst on official engagements in the city.
