“It is an honour to be named on the 2019 Powerlist. But this is not just about me; it is also an acknowledgement of the important work taking place at King’s and our collective mission to serve society globally and locally. “Advice I give to my students is, you must have a vision of self, of who you are, in order to make your time count. You are walking a journey, you must enjoy that journey which is very important, but you can only enjoy that journey and pursue your dreams if you recognise who you are in relation to where you want to go. In that journey, I think the process is as important as the outcomes; make the time count by being purposeful and hopeful."
Vice President & Principal (International), Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin
25 October 2018
Powerlist named King's Vice Principal as 7th
King’s College London’s Vice President & Principal (International), Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, has ranked 7th on the annual Powerlist, which honours men and women of African and African-Caribbean heritage in Britain who are changing lives.
Also among the 100 of the most influential and powerful black people in Britain this year are the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, rapper Stormzy and boxer Anthony Joshua.
’Funmi has been associated with King’s for over 25 years starting with her postgraduate study in War Studies. Since graduating she has worked in a number of roles, including at the Office of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. On returning to King’s, ‘Funmi founded the African Leadership Centre, which aims to develop the next generation of African scholars and analysts generating cutting-edge knowledge for security and development in Africa, and became a Professor of Security, Leadership and Development in the School of Global Affairs at King's College, London.
‘Funmi’s most recent work at King’s focuses on driving the internationalisation of the university, as well as facilitating King’s work in Africa including, in Nigeria to develop the next generation of African leaders to influence positive change in the future. She was interviewed by the university on international Women’s Day 2017 about her education and career.
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy appointed her as a Distinguished Fellow in April 2014. The University of Pretoria also appointed also her as an Extra-Ordinary Professor in 2016, building on an earlier award as a Mellon Foundation Distinguished Scholar on Peace and Conflict by UP's Department of Political Sciences in 2013.
Previous Powerlist number ones, now honoured in the hall of fame, include: campaigner Gina Miller, architect Sir David Adjaye, Sir Damon Buffini, former children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, Baroness Scotland and Baroness Amos.