Funke Abimbola MBE is the kind of figure who makes the phrase “breaking barriers” feel genuinely earned rather than merely descriptive. As a dual-qualified corporate lawyer, diversity campaigner, author, BBC media commentator, Professor of Practice, and founder of her own consulting firm, she has spent decades working at the intersection of legal excellence and social change in a way that earned her recognition from Buckingham Palace, the Financial Times, and the British Prime Minister’s office.
Funke Abimbola MBE Biography
| Full Name | Professor Dr. Funke Abimbola MBE |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British-Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Nigerian |
| Education | Newcastle University (Law); University of Hertfordshire (Honorary Doctor of Laws, 2019) |
| Profession | Solicitor, DEI Consultant, BBC Commentator, Non-Executive Director, Podcast Host |
| Known For | MBE for diversity work; Former UK General Counsel at Roche; Founder, Austen Bronte Consultancy |
| Children | One son |
Early Life and Background
Funke Abimbola was born into a family of medical doctors in Nigeria, a background that shaped her work ethic and created professional expectations. Her own decision not to pursue medicine was partly practical: she had a fear of pain and blood. She was educated at Burgess Hill Girls, an independent school in England, which placed her in the British educational system at a formative age.
Education
Abimbola studied law at Newcastle University, then travelled to Nigeria to sit the Nigerian Bar examination, qualifying her to practise law in both England and Wales and as a barrister and solicitor in Nigeria. She qualified as a solicitor in 2000. In 2019, the University of Hertfordshire awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws. In February 2022, Newcastle University appointed her as Professor of Practice within the Law School.
Career Journey
Abimbola worked with Campbell Hooper in England before joining Roche UK in 2012 as Managing Counsel. She rose to become General Counsel and Company Secretary in December 2015, and later General Counsel and Head of Financial Compliance in January 2017. At Roche, she became the most senior Black solicitor overseeing pharmaceutical operations across the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, and Malta.
In September 2020, she founded The Austen Bronte Consultancy, a global DEI consulting firm whose clients include Levi Strauss and Co, Sky, Macquarie Group, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and Covington and Burling, among others.
Diversity Advocacy and Recognition
Throughout her career, Abimbola has maintained an extensive voluntary portfolio of diversity work. In October 2016, she received a Point of Light award from the UK Prime Minister. In June 2017, Queen Elizabeth II awarded her the MBE in the Birthday Honours List for services to diversity in the legal profession and to young people. Her investiture took place at Buckingham Palace in December 2017. The Financial Times ranked her as a top 15 minority ethnic leader across the UK, US, Ireland, and Canada.
Personal Life
Funke Abimbola is the proud mother of one son, who studies software engineering at Newcastle University. She and her son co-host a podcast called The Power of Privilege and Allyship. She has established a medical scholarship in memory of her late father, who passed away in 2012 after a cancer diagnosis.
Net Worth
Funke Abimbola’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Her earnings derive from her consulting work, board roles, speaking engagements, BBC commentary, and academic positions. Specific financial figures remain private.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MBE stand for? Member of the Order of the British Empire, an honour awarded by the British monarch.
Why did she receive her MBE? For services to diversity in the legal profession and to young people, awarded in 2017.
What is The Austen Bronte Consultancy? A global DEI consulting firm she founded in 2020.
Is Funke Abimbola a professor? Yes. She is a Professor of Practice at Newcastle University Law School, appointed in 2022.
Where did she study law? Newcastle University, and she also holds a barrister qualification in Nigeria.
Editorial Notice
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