Sandie Okoro OBE appointed as first female Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham has announced the appointment of one of the country’s preeminent lawyers and equality rights champion as its new Chancellor. Sandie Okoro OBE brings a remarkable record of accolades recognising her contribution to diversity, equality and female rights, and is currently Group General Counsel of Standard Chartered where she leads the Bank’s Legal, Group Corporate Secretariat and Shared Investigative Services functions.

Sandie Okoro is the University’s eighth Chancellor since it was established in 1900. She succeeds Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE, who will step down as Chancellor in July after 10 years in the role; and follows in the footsteps of the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain and the Right Honourable Anthony Eden, the Earl of Avon.

Sandie is a proud University of Birmingham alumna, graduating with a degree in Law and Politics from Birmingham before qualifying as a barrister at City, University of London. After switching roles to solicitor, she held posts including Head of Legal for Corporate Services at Schroders, Global General Counsel at Barings and General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management. Sandie was also Senior Vice-President and General Counsel, and Vice-President for Compliance, for the World Bank Group.

Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said: “We are excited to welcome Sandie as our new Chancellor. She is a highly respected trailblazer in the corporate legal sector and is of course a proud University of Birmingham graduate. To hear her talk about breaking glass ceilings and aiming high is inspirational and reflects the attitude and passion of our university and our commitment to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.”

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. They preside at degree ceremonies, celebrating with and inspiring students on their graduation day. They also perform an important role in engaging with the community and stakeholders and working as an advocate to raise the University’s profile and promote its reputation regionally, nationally and globally.

On accepting the post, Sandie Okoro said: “The wonderful University of Birmingham is the alma mater to three generations of the Okoros, my mum, me and my son. So my connection to it is very special indeed. I have followed the University’s outstanding progress very closely since my days there as a student on a full grant back in the 1980s – its dedication to impactful research, its focus on creating an inclusive environment for talented, minority students and educational excellence are themes very close to my heart.

Sandie Okoro OBE said “I am truly honoured and delighted to be appointed Chancellor. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to give a little something back to the amazing University that has given so very much to me and my family.”

Sandie was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for her services to Diversity in International Finance. She has also received a lifetime achievement award from the UK Black Solicitors Network and was named one of the Power 100 Women by City A.M. and 100 Women to Watch by Female FTSE Board. She received the Howard University 2019 Vanguard Women Award for her accomplishments as a woman of colour who has blazed the trail and her commitment to mentoring young women and advancing the rights of women and girls globally. She is also the recipient of the Beyond the Glass Ceiling Award presented by the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (2019), the Chambers 100 Outstanding Global General Counsel (2019). Sandie is an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple in the United Kingdom.

Sandie was appointed inaugural Chair of the UK-based charity Women of the World Foundation in June 2021, she received an honorary lifetime Emeritus membership of the Law Societies’ Compact and Forum for Sustainable Development Goal 16 in June 2022 and is a Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Sandie has previously been a council member of the human rights organization JUSTICE, Ambassador for the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme and sat on the Equality Standards Panel of the Premier League.

Latest

Chineke! Foundation Welcomes Seven New Trustees

James Brining announced as The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh’s new Artistic Director

Black History Month series: Music, Literature, Film and More!

Building Together for the Future: Industry obstacles and how we can challenge them together

Tilly Blyth joins Weald & Downland Living Museum as new Director

“Good is not good enough, you have to want to be great” – An evening with Scottish Rugby legends Chris Paterson MBE and Stuart McInally on Leadership

British Museum appoints new Managing Director and Director of Finance

David Isaac CBE Appointed as New Chair of the Henry Moore Foundation

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bletchley Park Trust

Andy Street announced as Birmingham Rep’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees

John Whitgift Foundation appoints new CEO

FCA and PRA appoint new Chair of the FSCS

University of Glasgow announces Professor Andy Schofield as new Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Nurturing future leaders: Jane Gotts, Chair of The Glasgow Academy

Alan Cumming appointed new Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Building Together for the Future: A series of insights from friends of the firm and long standing leaders across the Built Environment

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Haris Sultan

Jo Ogilvy rejoins Saxton Bampfylde as Consultant in the Schools’ Practice

Transforming Legal Services: Isabel Parker on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Law Firms

Nurturing future leaders: Interview with Emma Taylor, Warden and CEO of Dean Close Foundation

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer at Family Business UK

SXSW London reveals key management team appointments

RSA announces Loyd Grossman CBE as Chair of the Board of Trustees

University of Chichester announces appointment of new Vice-Chancellor

DFN Project SEARCH appoints learning disability expert Kirsty Matthews as new Chief Executive

Jonathan Shaw appointed as new Headmaster of Ellesmere College

Elizabeth Newman appointed as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres

Queen Mary’s School Announces New Head for 2025

Canterbury Christ Church University appoints Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Gouy Hamilton-Fisher, Director Colleagues & Support, Timpson Group

Canford School appoints Chris Wheeler as new Head

Jewish Museum London appoints Sally Angel as new Chief Executive

Foundling Museum announces new Chair

The White Horse Federation appoints CEO

Social Mobility Day 2024

Concern Worldwide (UK) appoints new Executive Director

Richard Greenhalgh succeeded by Christian Brodie as Chair of United Learning’s Group Board

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew announces Susan Raikes as Director of Wakehurst

Standing Together: Saxton Bampfylde Celebrates Pride Month

We have moved! Our new London location

Managing Risk in Professional Services: It’s not just about protecting the firm, but enabling it – Interview with Alastair Levy

Crystal Palace Park Trust welcomes Victoria Pinnington as new CEO

Nadia Fall appointed as new Artistic Director of The Young Vic Theatre

How lawyers are coming to terms with their own ‘Now and Then’

Nicola Dudley announced as new Head of Queen Margaret’s School for Girls

Gordon Seabright appointed new Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens

The General Pharmaceutical Council appoints new Chief Strategy Officer

A healthy perspective on executive search

Foot Anstey LLP appoints Non-Executive Director

South By Southwest comes to London

Saxton Bampfylde in action with charity Smart Works

Sue Ryder announces new Chief Executive

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Gabrielle Mathews

Liz Truss was correct. Well, on one fundamental point

General Dental Council announces new Chief Executive and Registrar

Andrew Comben appointed new CEO of Britten Pears Arts

Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE appointed as new Director of the British Museum

Saxton Bampfylde partners with Family Business UK

Professor Robert Mokaya appointed Provost and DVC at University of Sheffield

30 years on from the first Code: A personal account of the Corporate Governance Revolution

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros & Rudd

Leadership in the age of AI: CEO Breakfast with Doug Gurr, Director of the National History Museum

Sustainability Dinner with speaker James Cameron, Chair of Crown Agents

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Nigel Edwards

Middlesex University announces its new Vice-Chancellor

SafeLives appoints new CEO

Do the right thing: ESG in 2024 – Interview with Lisa Hart Shepherd, CEO of Lamp House Strategy

A Healthy Perspective Podcast – Helen Buckingham, Nuffield Trust

New GPhC Council members appointed for 2024 and 2025

RICS senior governance appointments

An Independent Mind: Sharpening the role of a law firm NED

CLCH appoints new Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Integration

Into Film appoints Fiona Evans as new CEO

An evening for current and aspiring non-executives with Kenny Imafidon

V&A announces Director of Collections and Chief Curator

RNLI appoints new leader to take charity into third century of lifesaving

Erika Lewis appointed CEO at Connected Places Catapult

Alex Frazer Announced as the New Head of Bancroft’s

Sue Baillie appointed as Woldingham’s new Head

Royal Hospital School appoints new Head

The University of Manchester appoints Professor Duncan Ivison as next President & Vice-Chancellor

Championing the Mission – Interview with Jonathan Morgan

Quadrant Chambers appoints Sarah Longden as new COO

New Oasis Community Learning Chief Executive Announced

Rachel Kent made Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Paul Drechsler CBE

Indhu Rubasingham appointed as Director of the National Theatre

Northumbria University, Newcastle appoints new members to Board of Governors

Professor Tom Crick joins DCMS as Chief Scientific Adviser

Norwich Theatre appoints Tom Sleigh as new Chair

MOSL announces Cliff Kamara as new Board member

Saxton Bampfylde welcomes Partner Hannah Scarisbrick back to the firm

Saxton Bampfylde ranked in Financial Times UK’s Leading Recruiters 2024

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and Association Welcomes Martin Houghton-Brown as Secretary General

Royal British Legion Announces New Director General

English Heritage announces New Blue Plaques Panel Members

Paul Ridd named Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announces Lord Tony Hall as new Chair

Team Consulting appoints new CEO