Sector (financial, govt, energy etc): Financial Services

Worked in the current position for: 2.5years

Sector: Legal in the FMCG sector

Years in-house: 11 years plus

An overview of my role is: I provide in-country oversight and leadership on all Legal, Compliance and Corporate Secretarial matters. I manage the regulatory relationship and ensure adherence to all AML/CFT requirements. The role is multi-dimensional in the sense that I also drive compliance with Old Mutual’s internal governance requirements as we are a subsidiary within a multinational Group.

The best thing about my current job is: The ability to set my own agenda. Sometimes employers place more emphasis on work schedules, resumption times and administrative matters at the expense of the work employees are hired to do. While I appreciate that not every staff member is self-motivated, I value the freedom that comes with setting my agenda.

The most challenging thing about my current job is:  The nature of my role is challenging. There is always a tussle between the three departments I am responsible for, and I must always ensure a juggling act without dropping the ball.

My most pivotal career move: My most pivotal career move: Moving from working as an in-house solicitor in a leading bank into my current role. It was pivotal in the sense that I quickly realised that my career aspirations were totally misaligned with the role in the bank as there was simply no opportunity for growth. In my current role, my progression (both in personal development and career opportunities) has been exponential.

The hardest lesson I have learned as a lawyer: An outstanding piece of work that is rendered late can be useless in a fast-paced business environment. No matter how hard one works, if one does not deliver, it is as good as not having done any work.

What advice would you give your younger self? Calm down. Everyone makes mistakes.

Who are the key influencers that have shaped you along the way? I will mention a few; Yinka Edu taught me the value of being assertive as opposed to being aggressive and the value of a strong personal brand. The amazing Bozoma Saint John for everything she stands for; Dupe Olusola for demonstrating the value of living life on your own terms; and last but certainly not least my mum, Mrs Bola Adetula, who has taught me resilience and always finds a way out of anything.

My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is: Informal career coaching and mentoring. I find that so little emphasis is placed on some powerful tools (which I wish had been aware of earlier on in my career), including networking, the value of mentorship, the importance of having a sponsor, self-awareness, emotional intelligence etc. It really helps to guide people about these soft issues that can be resolved and set them apart, quickly

The worst job I ever held was: Packing pancakes and crumpets in a factory somewhere in Cardiff, Wales. It was horrendous!

Most valuable life lesson that I still apply today is: It is linked to my informal coaching arrangements. It is extremely rewarding to share past experiences and guide appropriately.

If I were not practising law, I would probably be:  A healthy food advocate, fashion blogger, social media influencer, women’s rights advocate or gardening enthusiast!

I’m currently reading: “Mindset” by Carol Dweck and “Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa”, by Aigboje Aig Imokhuede.

My current music playlist includes: Always Mariah Carey and a bit of everything; Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown, Prince, Don Moen, Tope Alabi and Bruno Mars.

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