Glenn Agutu

As the first person in his family to attend university and enter professional services, Glenn’s achievement of securing a training contract marked a significant personal milestone. However, his story takes a distinctive turn as he transitioned from traditional legal practice into the cutting-edge world of AI and technology entrepreneurship, demonstrating how legal skills can translate effectively into innovative industries.

Can you tell us a little about your journey into law and what initially inspired you to pursue legal training?

I pursued law because it was the highest earning career path that aligned with my skillsets. I was poor at maths-based subjects in school, so I viewed law as the field where I could achieve the most. I believe it’s important to play to your strengths. I’ll also be honest, the TV show Suits fuelled my ambition. In my household, my family pushed me to be the best, and watching Harvey Spector dominate in the legal field inspired me. We all know it’s not an accurate representation, but the show pushed me to dream.

What area of law did you study/train in, and how has that legal foundation influenced your current work in AI?

I studied a general law degree with a strong interest in business and financial markets. I enjoyed corporate finance, finished 6th in the British Inter-University Commercial Awareness competition, and wrote my dissertation on crypto regulation. An interest in business naturally causes you to explore the frontiers of innovation, which helps me today.

In private practice, I trained in the construction and finance teams. My legal foundation helped me in numerous ways:

• Problem solving at speed, particularly for general business problems or “vibe coding”
• Increased pain tolerance and ability to handle pressure
• Client and team communication
• Ability to focus for extended periods and work long hours
• Project management and organisational skills – I was surrounded by people who forced me to become more competent
• Training and team building. I was surrounded by an amazing supervisor and team members who created a great learning environment for me. I’ve taken numerous leadership lessons for leading a team in the future.

What does it mean to you to be a Black entrepreneur in Scotland today, particularly one with a legal background?

It means being an outlier in most rooms. This acts as an amplifier, lack of competence is magnified because you stand out. Conversely, if you have competence, you stand out 10x more. You must always be on edge and seek to overperform. With that mentality, you can achieve outsized results as a Black person in Scotland.

Have you faced any unique challenges in your career transition, and how have you navigated them?

Lack of structure. In an office environment, there was always a smarter person in the room who could help. In entrepreneurship, you have complete ownership. You must figure out the correct answer to your roadblocks or you will fail.

What has been the proudest moment in your career journey so far?

Securing my training contract. I was the first person in my family to go to university and the first to enter the professional services industry at an international firm.

What does Black History Month mean to you personally and professionally as both someone with legal training and as a tech entrepreneur?

Black History Month is a period of reflection, gratitude, and excitement for the future. I reflect on my experience as a Black person in the UK, show gratitude to those who walked a more difficult path and paved the way, and get excited about the future and the impact I wish to have on my community.

Is there a Black historical figure or professional who inspires you in your work, and why?

Kobe Bryant. He taught me that obsession is a requirement for greatness. You must have an unparalleled work ethic and willingness to learn from others. He started training before the rest of the team, finished after everyone else had gone home. Further, he studied his game tapes late into the night, he was obsessed with feedback loops, he was known for constantly querying his superiors for advice. I always seek constructive criticism as a result.

He also taught me that setbacks are positive. Your deficiencies expose opportunities to improve. Life would be boring without reasons to strive for improvement. My favourite quote from Kobe is “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

During my time in law and business, I’ve learned that the times you struggled most were your periods of greatest growth. You wouldn’t be who you are today without that struggle. I view almost every negative thing that happens to me in work as a future positive.

What’s one book, film, or piece of art that has had a lasting impact on you?

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

The book is a compilation of private notes from one of the greatest Roman emperors. Since the notes were never meant to be published, you gain an unfiltered insight into the mind of one of history’s most powerful people. Despite his unlimited power, he emphasised that the key tenets of a good life were:

• Focusing on being a good person
• Discipline over hedonism – discipline, although uncomfortable, is the true source of satisfaction
• Regulating anger towards others
• Only focusing on what you can control – ignore the roadblocks you cannot control. This is the key to achieving inner peace.

What advice would you give to other law students considering alternative career paths?

First, in whatever you’re pursuing, chase with vigour and give 100 per cent. Learn everything about the field, speak to those in the industry, understand the application processes. You must go through a period of obsession to achieve ambitious goals.

Second, put 100 per cent into what you’re doing right now, even if it’s not your main ambition. Remain humble and absorb as much knowledge as possible from your current situation. Opportunities will naturally arise as a result.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, or your hopes for the future?

I’m currently focused on moving quickly, maintaining my daily inputs, and attacking the market. I believe opportunities will arise as a result. Long term, I hope to create a massive impact by improving the lives of others – I’m not sure how yet, but I’ll figure it out.