COUNCILLOR George Finch is officially one of the 30 most inspiring young people in the UK.
The 19 year-old leader of Warwickshire County Council features in The Sunday Times Young Power List 2026, which spotlights 30 exceptional young people under the age of 30.
The winners are chosen by editors at The Sunday Times.
At just 18, Coun Finch made history to become the youngest ever council leader in the UK, taking charge of WCC and its £500 million budget. A prominent young voice in politics, Coun Finch was a member of the Conservative Party before joining Reform ahead of the 2024 general election. His leadership has come under scrutiny and last month he narrowly survived a vote of no confidence.
Coun Finch features alongside musician Raye, who became one of Britain’s biggest music success stories after breaking away from her label and going on to win a record six Brit Awards in one night.
The list also includes the footballer Alessia Russo who last year won the Uefa Women’s Champions League, the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award and the Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot. She has been a mainstay for the Lionesses, winning back-to-back European Championship titles in 2022 and 2025.
The Young Power List 2026 takes over The Sunday Times Magazine, featuring Raye on the cover alongside an exclusive interview to celebrate the release of her new number one album, This Music May Contain Hope. The issue also includes standalone interviews with Coun Finch and Britain’s youngest ever Formula 1 driver Arvid Lindblad, as well as a Relative Values interview with the brothers and Hamnet actors Noah and Jacobi Jupe, a Life in the Day interview with Clarkson’s Farm favourite Harriet Cowan and an additional feature on the young entrepreneurs who have found enormous success without going to university.
Hannah Swerling, The Sunday Times commissioning editor, said: “The rules of success are being rewritten by a new generation of British talent. Our Young Power List winners are fighting for social change, building thriving businesses, breaking sporting records and lighting up the world stage. All 30 are at the forefront of a new era of British excellence. Read exclusive interviews with them all and prepare to be inspired.”
Coun Finch has been approached for comment.
