Sandie Okoro facts for kids

Sandie Okoro, born in 1964, is a very successful British lawyer. She currently works as the main lawyer (called 'general counsel') for a big bank named Standard Chartered Bank. She is also the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, which is a high-ranking role at the university she attended.

Before her current roles, Sandie was a top lawyer for the World Bank Group. She has also worked as a general counsel for other large companies, including Barings Asset Management and Schroders Investment Management International. She was awarded an OBE for her work in promoting diversity in finance.

Her Early Life

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 she was only nine years old, Sandie decided she wanted to become a judge. She was inspired by a TV show called Crown Court. Even when a school teacher told her that "little black girls from Balham don't become judges," Sandie 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 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. Later, she also became a solicitor, another type of lawyer. In 1990, she joined Schroders and became the head of their trusts team.

Her Amazing Career

Sandie worked at Schroders for many years, from 1990 to 2007. She rose through the ranks to become the head of legal for corporate services. After that, she joined Barings as their global general counsel, overseeing all legal matters worldwide.

After seven years at Barings, she moved to HSBC Global Asset Management, where she also served as global general counsel.

In November 2016, Sandie was appointed as a senior vice-president and general counsel for the World Bank Group. This is a very important role, helping to provide legal advice for a global organization that works to reduce poverty and support development around the world.

Sandie has also been involved with many important organizations. These include the Black British Business Awards, the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, and International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA), where she was president in 2014.

In July 2024, she became the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham. This is a special role for someone who has achieved a lot and can inspire others.

Awards and Recognition

Sandie Okoro has received many awards and honors for her work. She has been listed several times in the Powerlist, which names the most influential black people in the United Kingdom. She was listed in the 2020 edition and was even in fourth place in the 2015 list.

In 2014, City, University of London gave Sandie an honorary doctorate. This was to recognize her "outstanding achievements in the legal profession and financial services." They noted that she was the only female lawyer from an ethnic minority holding 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 first allowed to become lawyers and join other professions.

In 2024, Sandie was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This honor was given to her "For services to Diversity in International Finance," recognizing her efforts to make the financial world more inclusive.

Her Personal Life

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

Sandie is also a runner! She 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.