Professor Funke Abimbola MBE | Business Lawyer, Leader and Author

Funke is a multi-award-winning business leader, lawyer and author.

Her professional experience spans almost 25 years spent as a corporate lawyer and business leader in the UK, most recently within C-suite leadership roles in the global healthcare sector encompassing biotech, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, medical technology and digital health. She has also advised outside the healthcare industry and has experience of advising technology, not-for-profit, manufacturing, professional services, education, financial services, retail and media clients. Having served as permanent General Counsel for three separate global healthcare businesses, she now works as a fractional General Counsel, providing flexible, ad hoc strategic legal advice to ambitious, high growth businesses.

Alongside her legal and business leadership, Funke has notable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expertise. The overall impact of her leadership has been recognised by the UK’s Prime Minister and the Financial Times and she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s 2017 birthday honours list for services to diversity and young people.

The University of Hertfordshire and the University of Kent have both awarded her honorary doctorates to recognise the impact of her leadership and her alma mater, Newcastle University, appointed her as Professor of Practice for her leadership impact.

She has served as a non-executive board director of a fully listed company within the premium beverages sector and was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. She is also a regular commentator on BBC TV and radio.

Funke is the proud mother of a 22-year-old son who recently graduated with a Computer Science degree and now works as a global tech consultant advising clients on AI and data science. Together, they host a podcast series called The Power of Privilege and Allyship podcast, showcasing exceptional role models who have used their privilege to maximise the impact of their allyship to transform lives. The podcast has a global following across almost 1,500 cities, all 7 continents and over 90 countries, interviewing over 100 inspiring leaders. Ranked and listed on all major podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google, the podcast now has over 12,000 downloads and an estimated 100,000+ listens.

Her best-selling first book, Climbing Mountains: My 5-Stage Journey to Resilient Leadership is available to purchase on Amazon globally.