Professor Suzanne Rab has gone from performing in productions of The Card, Bugsy Malone and Guys and Dolls at Colne Primet Academy to donning a wig and gown as a barrister in London. 

Suzanne, who attended Bradley Primary School, was offered a scholarship to a private school to do her A Levels before attending the University of Oxford, Oriel College where she obtained undergraduate and post-graduate law degrees (BA, MA and BCL).  She has practised as a lawyer (first as a solicitor in international law firms and currently as a barrister) throughout her career and has also been a director of economics at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has lived and worked over the world including in Brussels, Paris and Washington DC. 

Today, Suzanne practices as a commercial, competition law and regulatory barrister at Matrix, a leading public law and human rights chambers in London.  She teaches law at a number of UK universities and has public sector non-executive roles including as a Board Member of the Legal Aid Agency, the Press Recognition Panel and as a panel member of the Office for the Internal Market which was created post Brexit to advise the UK administrations on regulatory divergence across the UK nations. 

Suzanne said: “Primet encouraged me to believe in myself and not be limited by my background.  I grew up in a council house, my parents were immigrants, I received free school meals and was the first in my family to attend a UK university.  

“After Primet, I was offered a scholarship which further raised my aspirations. A lot of these were ingrained in me by inspirational teachers who went beyond the curriculum and who incentivised me to strive to do better. Perhaps it was the Modern Languages teachers who introduced me to French and Spanish who sparked my curiosity in understanding other countries and cultures and which later forged my career as an international lawyer. 

“Mine isn’t the background you would necessarily associate with being where I am today. I am proud to have attended Primet. Though I now live in London, I have retained my Northern accent, despite this being unusual – dare I say even sometimes slightly mocked in jest – at the English Bar. 

“I had very strong supporters from an early age and am grateful in that respect.  Whether my parents or educators. They raised my vision. They gave me the courage to challenge the idea that the so-called ‘elite’ professions were not for me. 

“My advice to today’s Primet students comes from experience of living and working in very different environments and countries over different stages in my own life. I encourage students to get involved in the activities and opportunities that are offered to them and don’t be afraid to try something new. You should be kind to others and yourself as building resilience will be necessary to get you through the tough times that come to all of us and take advice from those around you – they do have your best interests in mind even if it may be hard to see this at all times. Finally, have some fun!”