Burford Capital Limited, the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rukia Baruti as an independent non-executive director.
Dr. Baruti is the Secretary General of the African Arbitration Association and an experienced independent arbitrator. She is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and previously practiced commercial and arbitration law in London. She is also the founder of Africa International Legal Awareness, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing African involvement in the international legal community, and a co-founder of the African Arbitration Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting African arbitration practitioners. Dr. Baruti holds a bachelor’s degree in law (first class) from Birkbeck College, University of London, a Master’s degree from the University of Westminster, and a doctorate (cum laude) from the University of Geneva.
Dr. Baruti, 53, brings a valuable perspective to Burford’s business as an arbitration expert with deep international experience. She will also serve as a member of its nominating and governance committee. She is Burford’s fifth new non-executive director since 2020, and her appointment completes the refresh of Burford’s board of directors ahead of schedule.
Burford previously announced a plan to achieve by its 2023 annual general meeting a board of directors with a majority of independent directors as defined by the UK Corporate Governance Code (to which Burford is not subject). Burford delivered an independent board of directors in line with the Code one full year ahead of schedule in May 2022 with the appointment of Christopher Halmy as an independent non-executive director. Dr. Baruti’s appointment adds still more independent oversight to the Board.
Dr. Baruti’s appointment also furthers Burford’s plan to improve the diversity of its board of directors. Burford has stated that at least 30% of the board of directors should comprise female members as soon as reasonably possible; following the retirements of Mr. Parkinson at the 2023 annual general meeting and Mr. Wilson at the 2024 annual general meeting, Burford will exceed that goal.
Other required disclosures
Dr. Baruti’s full name is Dr. Rukia Baruti Dames. Save as disclosed below in relation to current and past directorships, Burford confirms that there are no further disclosures to be made in relation to Rule 17 of paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Dr. Baruti’s appointment.
| Current directorships/partnerships: | African Arbitration Association |
| Directorships/partnerships in the past five years: | Africa International Legal Awareness Ltd |
About Burford Capital
Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on theNew York Stock Exchange(NYSE: BUR)and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and it works with companies and law firms around the world from its principal offices in New York, London, Chicago, Washington, DC, Singapore, Sydney and Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com.
