Name: Adeola Olumeyan
Position: Company Secretary/Assistant General Counsel
Company: Channels Media Group

Sector Media and IT

Worked in the current position for: 11 years

Years in-house: 11 years

An overview of my role is:

As I function as both Company Secretary and General Counsel, I lead the Company secretariat, Legal and Compliance functions for the Group.

Therefore, my role is central to the development and implementation of several policies to enshrine good corporate governance in the different companies within the Group including the following: Anti-corruption, Diversity, Health and Safety, Business and Government Relations. I am also a core member of the Group’s risk management team.

As the Compliance officer/coordinator of Channels Limited, UK, I lead the HR function, financial reporting; supervise the development and implementation of policies for the UK operations, as well as the annual compliance summary report.

Apart from board advisory, corporate governance, compliance, legal risk management, intellectual property management; my team often leads in project management for property acquisition/development.

The best thing about my current job is:

For me, the work that we do at Channels Media Group is incredibly important. At Channels TV for example, we help to document the history of the world’s largest black population (Nigeria) as it happens.  Being a media organization, we are also sometimes involved in national agenda setting. These come with incredible power to influence and shape the course of history.

Knowing how important this is, it is crucial that everyone who works here understands the responsibility we carry and my team’s contribution helps to achieve this. The work that I do helps to create the framework to guide “how” we execute on our responsibility in the best interest of all stakeholders (employees, audience, government, regulators, policy makers, etc).

I am grateful (and humbled) daily for the opportunity to be part of a team of people selected for this special “assignment” and to contribute to the success of the same. Every time the government makes a change that affects people positively because of an issue we highlighted, or when the perception of people change or they have new understanding of an issue/person(s) because of something we shared, I am filled with gratitude and joy and showing up at work feels completely worth it!

The most challenging thing about my current job is:

Not really a challenge, but having to remind people that I am a lawyer not a journalist! Sometimes I meet people in serious business settings who are uncomfortable with me being in a room because they fear that whatever they discuss or say will end up on TV or our social media pages! I often have to work on gaining trust in such settings.

My most pivotal career move:

The opportunity to serve as a board member was a huge career leap for me. It broadened my perspective as a Company Secretary and sharpened my corporate governance and risk management skills.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Your work alone will not speak for you. You need to speak up for yourself. Do not be afraid to take risks or take credit for your work. Seek out a mentor and a sponsor. Lastly, get out there and network!

The key influencers that have shaped my journey?

So many people have helped shaped my journey! To mention a few: Lookman Durosinmi-Etti, Toyosi Alabi, Uwa Ohiku, Asue Ighodalo, Olusola Momoh, John Momoh, Simi Nwogugu, Hansatu Adegbite, Nzeakor Atulomah, Ikechukwu Uwanna and Tokunbo Olumeyan

My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is:

Advising SME founders on corporate governance, strategy and negotiations.

If I were not practising law, I would probably be: 

A serial entrepreneur

What (singular) achievement are you most proud of? 

This is a tough question! It is hard to pick one thing. But every time I have been “first” to achieve something, I am proud. While I have achieved quite a few “firsts”, I am still work in progress and grateful for the opportunities that push me closer to my dreams. But if I must absolutely mention anything, I will say the opportunity to serve on three Ministerial committees set up to look into industry issues in the broadcast and advertising industries in Nigeria. I am really proud of the outcomes occasioned by implementing the reforms suggested by these Committees.

And on an informal note, learning to speak French and Spanish simultaneously is much easier than I feared (even though I am not yet an expert at either language)!

What’s something you love doing that you’re terrible at?

I can’t hold a tune to save my life but it doesn’t stop me from singing all the time. In Church on Sundays, I make it a point to ignore the stifled laughter or irritated glances I often get.

What’s something you really do not like doing that you’re great at?

Driving feels like a huge burden, but I do have a tendency to bruise a few male egos when I get behind the wheels.