A message from the Under Treasurer

Emma Hopkins OBE in a white jacket a turquoise blouse

Dear Members,

Hello! I arrived on the 1 September to take over the role of Under Treasurer. I am delighted finally to be in post, and many things feel familiar (I practised for 17 years as a self-employed and employed barrister) but also new. As I told the professional team in my first all staff meeting, I applied for the role of Under Treasurer as having worked on many rule of law projects overseas as a diplomat I understand the importance of supporting a robust, diverse, and independent legal profession and its significance in holding power to account. I was also attracted to the variety of the role, supported by a genuinely diverse team of committed staff and with the opportunity to engage the next generation through our educational activities. Also, after serving the last 10 years overseas as a British Ambassador, I am keen to be back in the UK and to get back to my roots.

My priorities for the first few months include getting to grips with the operation of the Inn, the governance structures and to see the various Committees in action. There are also some important thematic areas of focus such as looking at our mid-year financial plan and the timing of call conversation. The publication of Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review on bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment at the Bar in my second week was also a timely reminder of the work that is needed across the profession to eradicate behaviour that has no place in an inclusive, professional, and modern legal profession. I am looking forward to supporting the Treasurer and EDI Committee in ensuring that the Inn is responding to the recommendations made.

It has been a hectic few weeks and I am using the relative “quiet” of September to get under the bonnet of the Inn. This has included spending time work shadowing different teams. I have been out and about doing a refuse pick up with the porters and a security round with the wardens, trying to understand what it takes to keep the Inn both well-presented and secure. I have donned some chef’s whites and joined the Catering Team downstairs to see the range of different (and award winning) capabilities that we possess to the benefit of members and external customers. I have spent time with our IT and Communications teams to assess our IT resilience and how we are using the Inn’s different social media tools to communicate. I have been touring the Inn to understand some of the challenges presented to our estates and maintenance teams from being the custodian of such a historic estate and have been getting my nose into the accounts.

As the start of term approaches the diary is already filling up and I am looking forward to meeting students, members and Benchers at committee meetings, Council, Call days and educational sessions. There is a lot to learn but I have already benefitted from the expertise of the Inn’s professional team in “inducting” me to all things Lincoln’s Inn and am excited to learn more.

I welcome the opportunity to meet many of you in the weeks and months to come.

Emma Hopkins
Under Treasurer, Lincoln’s Inn

Under Treasurer meets Treasurer. They are sitting at a wooden desk covered in paperwork

Emma Hopkins in chefs whites is shown around the Lincoln's Inn kitchen

Emma Hopkins presents her first All Staff meeting

Emma Hopkins whisking custard in chefs whits with a blakc hat and apron in the Lincoln's Inn kitchen

First meeting between the Under Treasurer (left) and the Treasurer (right)

Work shadowing in the Inn's kitchen

The Under Treasurer's first All Staff meeting

Work shadowing in the Inn's kitchen

The Hon Sir Paul Morgan smiles at the camera. He is a white man with balding grey hair. He wears a charcoal suit, a white shirt and a silk tie patterned with a Lincoln's Inn design (golden chevrons on a blue background).

Welcoming Emma to the Inn, the Treasurer said:

“I am delighted to welcome our new Under Treasurer, Emma Hopkins to the Inn. Emma joined us on 1 September and has been busy settling in and getting to grips with the wide range of activities which the Inn undertakes. I was very pleased when Emma agreed to take on the role of Under Treasurer and I know that leadership of the Inn’s professional team will be in very capable hands. On a personal note, I look forward to a constructive relationship with our new Under Treasurer. I believe that the Inn will benefit from solid and dependable advice from Emma on the various challenges facing the Inn in the months and years ahead.”