Nigerian-born lawyer Sandie Okoro named as University of Birmingham's new chancellor

NIGERIAN lawyer Sandie Okoro has been named as the eighth chancellor of the University of Birmingham succeeding Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea who is standing down this month after 10 years in the role.

Apart from being one of the UK's preeminent lawyers, Ms Okoro OBE,  a University of Birmingham alumna, is an equality rights champion. She 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, corporate secretariat and shared investigative services teams.

Established in 1900, the University of Birmingham prides itself on being one of the UK's leading academic institutions. Ms Okoro joins a long list of eminent chancellors who have held this position before Lord Bilimoria, including the likes of the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain and the Right Honourable Anthony Eden, the Earl of Avon.

Ms Okoro 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.

After graduating with a degree in law and politics, she went on to qualify 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, general counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management and senior vice president and general counsel/ vice president for compliance, at the World Bank Group.

Adam Tickell, the 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.”

Historically, the chancellor has been the ceremonial head of the university. They preside at degree ceremonies, celebrating with and inspiring students on their graduation day and 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.

Ms Okoro added: “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 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 AM and 100 Women to Watch by Female FTSE Board.