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New Pro-Chancellor to give inaugural annual DLA Piper lecture
06/05/2021
Sandra Wallace, Joint Managing Director for UK and Europe of the global law firm DLA Piper and interim co-chair of the government’s Social Mobility Commission, has recently been appointed as Pro-Chancellor for Social Mobility at the University of Wolverhampton.
She is an alumna of the University’s LLB (Hons) programme and was also rated as one of the 100 most influential black people in Britain in the Powerlist 2020.
Sandra’s career with DLA Piper started in 1992 when she joined as an trainee solicitor; rising to her current role as Joint Managing Director with a leading reputation in employment law.
She is well-known for her passionate determination to drive social mobility within the legal sector, and has been recognised for her work in helping those from less privileged socio-economic backgrounds to succeed.
On her new role, Sandra said: “I am thrilled and humbled to be honoured with this role for my University. I always say that the University of Wolverhampton was truly where my educational life and subsequent career began: a place that accepted, encouraged and inspired me and prepared me for the career and life to come.
“To have this opportunity to contribute something meaningful and relevant to the university that helped shape and inspire me to strive is a wonderful thing. And I am proud and grateful that my firm, DLA piper, is so committed to the cause of social mobility in all respects.”
To mark her appointment, Sandra will be giving the inaugural annual DLA Piper Lecture on Social Mobility on 10 May, 6 pm to 7 pm.
Her talk is entitled: “Social Mobility: the role of business and their legal advisers in tackling some of society’s biggest challenges”.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer said: “Social mobility is vitally important to the mission of the University of Wolverhampton; we are the University of Opportunity which relates to our ambition to provide the population of the Black Country and surrounding areas with a high quality education that open doors and enhances the life chances of our students.
“Our Vision 2030 focuses on our people and our ‘Place’. We want to make a positive impact that will help re-build the local economy following the Covid-19 pandemic and help people, young and mature, reach their potential.
“Sandra’s story exemplifies all that is possible. At the top of the legal profession, she is also passionately committed to the message and practice of social mobility as Commissioner and then interim co-chair of the Social Mobility Commission.
“She is the first member of our alumni community to become a Pro-Chancellor of the University. It is fantastic to have her join us and I know her expertise and experiences will be inspiring and invaluable.”
In her role as Pro-Chancellor, as well as launching the annual DLA Piper lecture, Sandra will engage with the University’s Law School by contributing to teaching content, providing career advice to students and being an inspirational speaker for the University’s social mobility outreach work that engages with secondary and further education students.
Places for the inaugural DLA Piper Lecture on Social Mobility can be booked for free via Eventbrite.
For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.
