Herts graduate Grace Ononiwu appointed as first ever Legal Director General of the Crown Prosecution Service

The CPS employs almost 8,000 staff in 14 regions across England and Wales.

Grace, who graduated in law from Herts in 1988, and subsequently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2017, has established a career of ‘firsts’ having been the first Afro Caribbean person to hold the post of Chief Crown Prosecutor in the history of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the first woman to hold that position in Northamptonshire County, the East of England and West Midlands regions.

Grace is a Visiting Professor at Hertfordshire Law School, and a patron of the University of Hertfordshire’s Law Clinic and she actively supports the Law School. She was also a member of the University Board of Governors from March 2020 to May 2021.

It has been a long journey since she was once discouraged by her school careers officer, who told her there was no way she could become a lawyer. She subsequently failed her ‘O’ Levels, thinking there was no point in trying. She said: “I hated how failure made me feel and that was a turning point in my life. I worked in a shoe shop throughout my studies; I was determined to qualify.”

University of Hertfordshire Vice-Chancellor Professor Quintin McKellar, said:

“Grace’s incredible success story – and her sheer determination - is a beacon of hope for all students, and we are so proud of her achievements in a journey that began here at the University of Hertfordshire.

“We wish her every success in this new post and thank you Grace for continuing to support and inspire the careers of all those students who want to follow in your footsteps.”

Grace gave an inspirational talk at the University School of Law and Education Awards on Friday 23 May recognising the University’s Grace Ononiwu Rising Stars in Law and Education.

In 2021, in her honour, the University re-named its law court building the Grace Ononiwu Law Court Building.

Grace was awarded the OBE in 2008 in recognition for her work within the CPS and received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Hertfordshire in 2017, for her contribution to justice and the legal system, including her ongoing work to promote legal education. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University.

In the 2019 Birthday Honours, Grace was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Law and Order.

Grace has also been included in the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Power list, which features 100 of the UK’s most influential men and women of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage.

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