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Sandie, an alumnus of the institution, currently works with Standard Chartered as Group General Counsel, overseeing the legal affairs, investigative, and corporate governance services. An excited Sandie 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.”
Continuing, the Nigerian legal expert expressed honour and delight “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.”
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Reacting to her appointment, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Adam Tickell, said:
“To hear Sandie 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.”After earning a Law and Politics degree at the University of Birmingham, Sandie Okoro became a barrister at City University of London. Some of the roles that she has handled include working with the World Bank Group as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Vice President for Compliance, the Global General Counsel at Barings and General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management, Head of Legal for Corporate Services at Schroders, and more. During the 2024 New Year Honours, Sandie was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) due to her commitment, dedication, and services to Diversity in International Finance.
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She is also a UK Black Solicitors Network Lifetime Achievement Award holder and has been listed in the City AM Power 100 Women and Female FTSE Board’s 100 Women to Watch. Sandie Okoro is also a winner of the 2019 Vanguard Women Award, the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys’ Beyond the Glass Ceiling Award in 2019, and the Chambers 100 Outstanding Global General Counsel in 2019. The Nigerian also boasts the distinguished title of Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple in the UK.
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