Buhari lauds Okoro as new World Bank VP

Solaade Ayo-Aderele

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Ms Sandie Okoro for her recent appointment as World Bank Group Senior Vice-President and General Counsel.

Earlier this month, the World Bank had announced the appointment of Sandie Okoro as World Bank Group Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

A press release announcing her appointment and signed by the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, reads, “Sandie Okoro is a highly regarded thought leader with a strong track record of developing new legal approaches in the field of international finance.

“Her experience managing legal and financial risks at global financial institutions will make her a great asset for the Bank Group and our Board.”

Okoro, a Nigerian-Briton, is currently the Global General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management. She is also Deputy General Counsel of HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management and a member of the Executive Management Committee of HSBC Global Asset Management.

Before joining HSBC, Okoro was Global General Counsel at Barings. She has also been appointed to the Management Board and Panel of Experts of The Hague-based Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance, which assists with the settlement of international disputes of complex financial transactions.

Okoro played a leadership role during the financial crisis, particularly in respect to the mitigation of counterpart risk exposure.

Okoro has received several accolades for her work and volunteer efforts. Most recently, in July 2016, she was named as one of the 100 Women to Watch by the Female FTSE Board.

As World Bank Group Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Okoro will be the principal adviser and spokesperson on all legal matters.

She will also serve as the legal adviser to the Board, management, the Inspection Panel, and the CEO of the Global Environmental Facility Program.

Okoro will lead the World Bank’s Legal Vice Presidency, which is responsible for all legal services provided to internal and external clients.