Michael Olayinka Eboda, a lawyer-turned-journalist-turned-entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Powerful Media Group (PMG), one of the most respected speciality media businesses in the UK. Michael’s business, which he founded 14 years ago, is responsible for The Powerlist, an annual publication that features Britain’s most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage. This flagship publication prominently features annually both online and off as well as internationally, highlighting influential figures like the Duchess of Sussex, Stormzy and the 2020 number one, Ismail Ahmed.
In addition to its flagship publication, PMG boasts another market leading publication, Future Leaders, which focuses on the next generation of talent and social mobility; a bespoke recruitment firm within the Legal sector; and an events division hosting premier events in prestigious locations across the capital. One of the events Michael’s company hosts is the Powerlist Black Excellence Awards, an annual black-tie dinner that has become the most prestigious black-focused event in the UK.
Michael grew up in south London and left the UK for Nigeria in his early teens, living there for some eight years and qualifying for the Nigerian bar in 1984. After returning to Britain and doing a Masters Degree in Business Law, he decided on a change of career.
Following a stint as an entrepreneur (he owned a restaurant, a retail outlet and a number of properties), Michael chose to become a journalist. Michael gained a reputation for being one of the UK’s foremost journalists. In 1999, he was headhunted by the Ethnic Media Group and asked to help turn round their struggling titles, New Nation, which was aimed at an African Caribbean readership and Eastern Eye, which was Asian-focused. As Group Editorial Director, he helped turn the group into the biggest minority ethnic newspaper organisation in Europe within five years.
Michael’s interests include football, athletics, design, art, photography and travel. He is, for his sins, a diehard Manchester United supporter.