A Wanstead barrister has been appointed the first patron of Black British Academics.

Miranda Brawn, of Hermon Hill, Wanstead, was appointed last week to help increase the number of professors from an ethnic minority background.

There are only 85 professors, 15 of which are female, from ethnic minorities, out of a total of approximately 15,000 in Britain.

Ms Brawn attended St Joseph’s School in Vicarage Road, Leyton, before attending Trinity Catholic High School in Mornington Road, Woodford Green, and then completing her A-Levels at Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Loughton.

Since then, her professional career spans more than 20 years in investment banking where she has managed teams and clients for some of the world’s biggest investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Deutsche.

She now works as a barrister.

Black British Academics is an organisation which promotes and works to help create equal opportunities for people from ethnic minorities in academia.

Ms Brawn, in her late-30s, said: “The numbers are insane and I want to help encourage black and ethnic minorities to progress in academics to become professors.

“Up until a week ago I had not heard of this problem so when I was approached I wanted to help improve these numbers.

“Unless someone raises the issue then people will not think about it, I am confident I have access to the networks and contacts to make a difference.

“I think I changed the stereotype of what to expect from an investment banker, I didn’t go to private school and worked my way up and I hope others are inspired by this.

“Attitudes need to change and anything is possible with hard work, you can do anything you put your mind to.”