Farmida Bi recognised in FN100 Most Influential Women in Finance 2022

Norton Rose Fulbright’s global chair Farmida Bi, CBE has been included in Financial News’ 100 Most Influential Women in European Finance list 2022 for a fourth consecutive year. 
 
The list, which has been published annually since 2007, celebrates women shaping the financial services industry across Europe. 
 
Farmida is recognised for her role in recent high profile debt capital markets and Islamic finance transactions, in which she has over 30 years’ experience. She is also celebrated for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, including for recently launching the firm’s Scholars bursary programme to help improve access to the profession and leading the firm to become one of the founding members of Legal CORE (Collaboration on Race and Ethnicity).
 
Additionally, Farmida is leading the firm’s three-year strategic partnership with Save the Children, which includes the firm providing pro bono legal advice, alongside fundraising and volunteering initiatives. 
 
Farmida recently led the team advising Save the Children on a new fundraising policy, which will enable it to receive Zakat. The new policy will facilitate the raising of vital funds to support children in Muslim-majority countries, in which Save the Children operate, to get a healthy start in life, keep learning and stay safe.
 
Beyond the firm, Farmida is chair of trustees for the Barbican Centre Trust, which raises funding for the Barbican – the largest performing arts centre in Europe – and for the Patchwork Foundation, a charity that promotes engagement in politics and civil society for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
On the accolade, Farmida Bi commented: “It’s an honour to be included in the list for a fourth year alongside so many inspirational women who are driving change across the industry. Reflecting on recent years, it’s been a privilege to help a number of initiatives, partnerships and programmes come to life, which have the potential to make a real difference to our people and beyond. I remain committed to helping to shape the industry for the future.”
 
Earlier this month, Farmida spearheaded a new UK legal apprenticeship pledge alongside corporate and early careers recruitment partner, Clementine Hogarth, to recognise UK legal apprenticeships as an equal pathway into a legal career. The pledge has been signed by 17 firms across the UK to date.
 
In April 2022, Farmida was recognised as one of Financial News' 50 Most Influential Lawyers 2022 and, last month, was included in Heroes Women Executives Role Model List for a third year.