SAMUEL OMIYE

If there’s one word that comes up again and again when you meet Samuel Omiye, it’s energy. Whether he’s talking about finance, football, or his latest half-marathon, Sam brings a lightness and humour to every conversation. But underneath the jokes and quick wit lies a serious purpose: impact.

Sam grew up in Hackney, East London, “a proper East Ender”, as he likes to say with pride. Coming from a lower socio-economic background, he benefitted from schemes like 10,000 Black Interns, the Amos Bursary and Generating Genius, which opened doors into spaces that had previously felt out of reach. He’s never forgotten that. Sam inherently knows that he stands on the shoulders of giants, and now it’s about him creating shoulders for others to stand on.

Today, Sam works as an Investment Analyst in Legal & General’s Productive Finance team. In simple terms, he helps direct L&G’s capital into projects with social impact, such as affordable housing and urban regeneration. He loves that his work has a tangible effect. “We’re not just making numbers move, we’re actively trying to improve people’s lives.”

His path here wasn’t straightforward. Sam studied electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Bristol, drawn by maths, physics, and coding, but realised he loved studying engineering more than practising it. A series of internships in both engineering and finance revealed where his passion lay. They say it’s easier for an engineer to become an investment banker than the other way around.

Through his L&G internship, Sam discovered not just a company but a culture. “They don’t just talk the talk on inclusion and wellbeing, they walk it. The people here genuinely care.” That sense of belonging matters. But that doesn’t mean Sam hasn’t battled imposter syndrome, something so many Black peers voice. Mentorship has helped, along with a powerful Nigerian saying his mum drilled into him: Do they have two heads? The meaning: if someone else can do it, so can you.

For Sam, Standing Firm in Power and Pride is about roots and resilience. “I come from one of the proudest countries in Africa. Nigerians never carry last. My heritage, my name, they give me power. I know I deserve to be here.”

He channels that pride outward, too, supporting interns, reviewing CVs, mentoring students, and reminding them of their worth. “You’re not less than anyone else. Someone saw something in you that got you here. Own your space.”

But don’t mistake his drive for self-importance. Sam wants to be remembered less for shareholder value and more for community. “I want people to say, Sam was the one who co-founded the basketball club, the one who showed up at the Inclusion and Wellbeing events, the one who gave advice when you needed it. That’s legacy.”

When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Sam grins: “Switch barbers early. But also take a deep breath. You’re doing this life thing for the first time. Be easy on yourself.”

Because at the end of the day, Sam’s why is simple: “For the Samuel my mum believed I could be, and for the Samuel my friends and family inspire me to be today.”