Page 72 - 2018 Powerlist

Profiles

Funke Abimbola

General Counsel and Head of
Finance Compliance, Roche UK

Funke is the senior lawyer at Roche, the world’s largest
biotech company, and as of January this year was promoted
to the newly created role of Head of Compliance.
She is responsible for heading the financial compliance
function and ensuring overall compliance of Roche UK’s
pharmaceutical operations with a turnover of £600 million.
It is the first time a lawyer – and not an accountant – has
taken on the role in any of Roche’s global headquarters.
Funke is widely recognised as a leading lawyer in the field
of sciences and healthcare. Under her leadership her team
has been shortlisted for two major legal awards –
& Religion
in-house team of the year at the Legal Business Awards and
Halsbury’s Legal Awards, a first for the company.
Formally appointed diversity champion for Roche UK,
she regularly presents on the importance of inclusion and
equality to staff across the 95,000-strong global corporation.
She has also created and been appointed executive
sponsor of a UK-wide Roche bursary scheme running across
several universities offering a range of bursaries, mentoring
and work experience.
Funke led on diversity and inclusion content for Roche’s
first impact report, demonstrating the impact that diversity
of thought has on driving innovation. The report is now a
benchmark for the business worldwide.
Politics, Law
Funke practised and qualified as a corporate solicitor
in the City and worked for a couple of regional firms as a
corporate specialist before joining Roche. She is listed in
Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories.
She is an active member of the Black Solicitors Network,
the Association of Women Solicitors and the Women
Lawyers’ Division of the Law Society.
She is regularly invited to speak at high-profile events
to promote diversity within the legal profession and was
awarded the Point of Light award by Prime Minister Theresa
May last autumn for her contribution to improving diversity
and mentoring young people.

68 Powerlist 2018