Anu Omideyi Speaker | Enterprise & Creative & Lifestyle & Careers & Women

Anu Omideyi

Criminal lawyer, motivational speaker, music producer, choir director and songwriter all in one!

Anu Omideyi is a criminal barrister who began her legal career in 2001 and paused it in 2014 when other areas of her life began to flourish. She ran a successful criminal practice spanning all areas of criminal law ranging from murder and serious violent and sexual offences to complex conspiracies to defraud from Furnival Chambers, a leading London set with nearly 100 members and 14 Queens Counsel. During this time she also sat on Furnival Chambers’ Board of Directors for 6 years - the youngest female and black person to have done so.

She is currently a trustee of Common Purpose Student Experiences, is part of the governing body of the Gospel Music Industry Alliance UK and was trustee of Common Purpose UK between 2003-2009.

Anu is also the choir director and manager of the award-winning The Reapers Choir. The choir was a finalist in BBC1’s Gospel Choir of the Year 2014 and has performed in venues including: 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Kensington Palace and The London African Music Festival 2015.

The vocal ability of the choir has been recognised nationally and internationally, winning "Choir of the Year” and “Choir Director of the Year” (Anu Omideyi), in the Zeta Gospel Music Awards, Tennessee, USA, in October 2015 and being nominated for the British Gospel Music Alliance Industry (GMIA) award for “Best Music Video by a UK Choir/Group” (JUMP Music Video Awards) in 2014. The choir’s debut album, “Light Through the Tunnel” was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim and great support.

The numerous leadership roles that Anu has undertaken in her life’s journey has brought her to a point where she is both privileged and humbled to offer advice, inspiration and motivation, be it in large gatherings or one to one.

Testimonials from Teachers

"Anu had a fantastic presence in the room. She was engaging, passionate and interesting. All the students felt at ease to ask her any questions and no student felt that they were asking “stupid” questions. Her greatest strength was being able to relate to the students and could describe a very complex, legal concept in a way that they could make sense of."

– Emer Walsh, Harris Academy

"I was impressed by her natural confidence and presence. She clearly has a secure sense in who she is as a professional and also personally in the interests she pursues outside of work. Anu was more than willing to offer her time to inspire our students with her personal journey as a criminal prosecutor and answer their questions for a careers master class held for our most able students."

– Jennifer McMillan, Head of Maths, High Attainers Co-ordinator, Harris Academy

"Anu has worked with our charity visiting many schools to give talks, raise aspirations and broaden career horizons in South East London, such as Deptford Green, St Matthews, Bonus Pastor, etc. Anu is a pleasure to work with. She is reliable and inspirational and a great role model to all."

– Leila Thomas, Founder and Managing Director, Urban Synergy The Mentoring Resource Pool

"In the summer of 2015, Anu supported the BSS during our summer holiday school. It was a summer holiday camp for children aged between 4 – 12 years which ended with a Children's Gospel Concert. Anu gave inspiring talks to the children and held a music workshop with 33 children to prepare them for the concert. She taught them how to sing and perform dance moves to the songs. I was extremely impressed with her ability to grasp the attention of the children and keep them engaged and entertained throughout the workshop. Put it simply Anu brought out the best out of the children. Accordingly, I would recommend her to give talks to and hold workshops at schools."

– Manyi Tataw Ebot-Ntui, Bright Shining Stars Co-ordinator, Summer School, Hackney, C/o Christ Apostolic Church (Bethel)