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Lincoln’s Inn appoints new Under Treasurer

Headshot ofEmma Hopkins OBE. She wears a white suit jacket, teal top and gold jewelry and has short blonde hair.

We are pleased to announce that Emma Hopkins OBE has been appointed as Under Treasurer, to succeed Anne Sharp CBE with effect from 1 September 2025.

The Under Treasurer leads the Inn’s professional team of over 150 employees and, as Chief Executive, is responsible for all facets of the Inn’s organisation and operation.

Emma Hopkins OBE

Emma graduated with a law degree from Cambridge University. She was Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1995 and practised as a self-employed barrister until 2001 when she joined the Home Office as an advisory lawyer in the Government Legal Service.

Between 2006 and 2008, Emma led the development of the first UK strategy on human trafficking and delivered it through a national and international campaign. For her work, in 2008, Emma received the Civil Servant of the Year Award for outstanding contribution to public service.

Emma also built and led the UK government’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), a campaign to end impunity for warzone rape. She was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services to preventing sexual violence in conflict affected countries. Her team was given the Civil Service International Award for its work on the warzone rape campaign.

Emma’s career in government has included leading legal and policy teams at a senior level.

Emma served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2015 to 2020. Whilst in Bulgaria she was also the senior regional lead for organised crime and rule of law projects (focusing on modern slavery) in Central and Eastern Europe.

From October 2020 to August 2024, Emma served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Denmark.

I am delighted to be joining Lincoln’s Inn and returning to the legal world where I started my career as a barrister. The Inn’s primary purpose of supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice has never been more critical. I am looking forward to supporting all aspects of the Inn’s work, including making sure the next generation of barristers is diverse, resilient, and well equipped to respond to the challenges ahead.

Emma Hopkins OBE

The Treasurer, The Hon Sir Paul Morgan, commented:

“Emma has the wide range of skills and qualities which make her an excellent appointee as our next Under Treasurer. We look forward to welcoming her to the role.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Anne Sharp CBE for her dedication and commitment to Lincoln’s Inn during her six and a half years as Under Treasurer. Her contribution to the well-being of the Inn has been enormous. We wish her well for her retirement when she leaves the Inn at the end of July.”