According to Sahara Reporters, the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom has announced the historic appointment of Sandie Okoro, a British-Nigerian, as its first female Chancellor. Okoro, recognized as one of the UK’s leading lawyers and a champion for equality rights, will succeed Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE, who is stepping down after a decade in the role.
In a statement, the University praised Okoro for her exceptional contributions to diversity, equality, and female rights. Okoro currently serves as Group General Counsel of Standard Chartered, where she oversees the Bank’s Legal, Group Corporate Secretariat, and Shared Investigative Services functions.
Okoro is a proud alumna of the University of Birmingham, having graduated with a degree in Law and Politics. She will be the University's eighth Chancellor since its establishment in 1900, following in the prestigious footsteps of the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain and the Right Honourable Anthony Eden, the Earl of Avon.
After her studies at Birmingham, Okoro qualified as a barrister at City, University of London. She then transitioned to the role of solicitor, holding prominent positions including Head of Legal for Corporate Services at Schroders, Global General Counsel at Barings, and General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management. She also served as 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, expressed excitement about Okoro's appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Sandie as our new Chancellor. She is a highly respected trailblazer in the corporate legal sector and a proud University of Birmingham graduate. Her inspirational talks about breaking glass ceilings and aiming high resonate with the University's commitment to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion.”
The role of the Chancellor is largely ceremonial, presiding over degree ceremonies and inspiring students on their graduation day. The Chancellor also engages with the community and stakeholders, advocating for the University and promoting its reputation on regional, national, and global stages.
Upon accepting the position, Okoro expressed her deep connection to the University. “The wonderful University of Birmingham is the alma mater to three generations of the Okoros – my mum, me, and my son. My connection to it is very special indeed. I have closely followed the University’s outstanding progress since my days there as a student on a full grant back in the 1980s. Its dedication to impactful research, focus on creating an inclusive environment for talented, minority students, and commitment to educational excellence are themes very close to my heart.”
Okoro was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for her services to Diversity in International Finance. Her appointment as Chancellor marks a significant milestone in the University's history and reflects its ongoing dedication to diversity and inclusion.