Introducing our new Chancellor
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Sandie Okoro OBE as our new Chancellor, succeeding Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE.
As a proud Birmingham alumna, graduating with a degree in Law and Politics, Sandie brings a remarkable record of accolades to the University. She’s made a significant contribution to diversity, equality and female rights, and is currently Group General Counsel of Standard Chartered where she leads the Bank’s Legal, Group Corporate Secretariat and Shared Investigative Services functions.
Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, shared in the excitement of Sandie’s appointment, saying: “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.”
The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. They preside at degree ceremonies, celebrating with and inspiring students on their graduation day. They also perform an important role in engaging with the community and stakeholders and working to raise the University’s profile and promote its reputation regionally, nationally and globally.
On accepting the post, Sandie Okoro 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”.
Sandie continued, “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.”
We can’t wait to see Sandie back on campus!