The former Europe & Asia general counsel (GC) of global multimedia giant Thomson Reuters, Daragh Fagan, has resurfaced at UK-based support services company Rentokil Initial as group GC.
Following the merger of Thomson and Reuters in 2007, an $8.7bn deal that created the world’s largest provider of financial news and information, Fagan was appointed from legacy Reuters as GC for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions, after joining from Italian energy group ENI in the summer of 2007.
Having been further appointed as GC for the Europe and Asia regions in January Fagan, a former Herbert Smith lawyer, departed the media giant in the summer and took up his new position at Rentokil, which offers a mix of services including pest control and workwear, in September.
While Thomson Reuters refused to comment on who has replaced Fagan officially since his departure, former Morrison & Foerster partner Priscilla Hughes is now listed as senior vice president & GC for Europe & Asia, and also fills the role of chief counsel at Thomson Reuters Financial & Risk.
Senior in-house moves across the media, culture and financial services sectors have been considerably frequent of late. The past month has seen a spate of moves, including Virgin Money’s legal director Jasan Fitzpatrick becoming a GC at Premium Credit; the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) offering interim GC Marina Zain a permanent role; and former News Corp GC Lon Jacobs’ appointment as a deputy GC at Time.
Elsewhere, HMRC’s GC Antony Inglese announced his retirement after a five year stint leading its 200-strong legal team, with HMRC has yet to announce his replacement.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
