Sandie Okoro facts for kids

Sandie Okoro is a very successful British lawyer. She was born in 1964. She is known for being a top legal advisor for big companies and organizations.

Until 2024, Sandie was the chief legal officer for Standard Chartered Bank. She also became the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham in August 2024. Before these roles, she was a senior leader and chief legal advisor at the World Bank Group. She also worked as a top lawyer for other major companies like Barings Asset Management and Schroders Investment Management International.

Early Life and Education

Sandie Okoro was born in Fulham, London, in 1964. She grew up in a nearby area called Balham. Her father was a teacher from Nigeria, and her mother was a nurse from Trinidad.

When Sandie was just nine years old, she decided she wanted to become a judge. She was inspired by a TV show called Crown Court. Even when a school teacher told her, "Sandie, little black girls from Balham don't become judges," she didn't give up on her dream.

She went to Putney High School. Later, she studied law and politics at the University of Birmingham. After university, she continued her legal studies at the Inns of Court School of Law. In 1988, she became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court. Then, she decided to become a solicitor, another type of lawyer who deals with legal paperwork and advises clients. In 1990, she joined Schroders.

Sandie's Career Journey

Sandie Okoro worked at Schroders from 1990 until April 2007. She moved up in the company, becoming the head of legal for corporate services. After that, she joined Barings as their global chief legal officer. She spent seven years at Barings before moving to HSBC Global Asset Management, where she also became the global chief legal officer.

In November 2016, Sandie was chosen for a very important role. She became the senior vice-president and chief legal officer for the World Bank Group. This organization helps countries around the world with development and reducing poverty.

Sandie has also been involved in many other important groups. These include the Black British Business Awards and the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme. She was also the president of International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) in 2014.

In July 2024, Sandie was appointed Chancellor of the University of Birmingham. This is a very special role, like being the ceremonial head of the university. It's extra special because she is a former student of the university. She officially started this role on August 1, 2024.

Awards and Recognition

Sandie Okoro has received many awards and honors for her work.

She has been listed several times in the Powerlist. This list names the most influential black people in the United Kingdom. She was on the 2020 list and was even in fourth or fifth place on the 2015 list.

In 2014, City, University of London gave Sandie an honorary doctorate. This was to celebrate her amazing achievements in law and finance. They noted that she was the only female lawyer from an ethnic minority to hold such a high position in the City of London at that time.

Also in 2014, The Guardian newspaper named Sandie as one of "10 women who are changing the face of the City."

At the 2016 UK Diversity Legal Awards, Sandie received a special BSN Lifetime Achievement Award.

In July 2019, Sandie was featured in a film as part of the First 100 Years of Women (2014–2019): Women in Law campaign. This campaign celebrated 100 years since women in Britain were allowed to become lawyers and join other professions.

Sandie Okoro was also honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours. This award was given to her for her great work in promoting diversity in international finance.

Personal Life

Sandie Okoro has a son and a daughter. In 2010, she was on the board of governors for her daughter's school.

She is also a marathon runner! Sandie completed the London Marathon in both 1997 and 1999.

She has shared that the two people she admires most are Nelson Mandela and a member of her own family.