Emma Anthony, senior legal counsel of high-end retailer Selfridges, has taken a role at online retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP) starting in May 2017.
Anthony (pictured) , who was selected as a Rising Star in Legal Business’ GC Powerlist 2017, had previously undertaken brand protection and IP work and reported to Selfridges’ director of legal, Sarah Hemsley. In her new role, Anthony will become YNAP’s head of legal for the UK.
Despite currently forging a career in-house, Anthony had initially intended to go to the Bar and qualified in 2009 following a pupillage at One Brick Court Chambers. Anthony’s career started with Jimmy Choo in 2008, before stints in private practice at RPC and Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy. As part of her Rising Star nomination, Eversheds partner David Young described Anthony as ‘a role model for in-house lawyers.’
Selfridges’ four UK stores form part of the wider Selfridges Group, which consists of the high-end retailers Brown Thomas in Ireland, Holt Renfrew in Canada, and De Bijenkorf in the Netherlands. Until recently, Anthony was additionally responsible for overseeing legal affairs at Brown Thomas.
In November 2016, Olswang advised YNAP on the UK aspects of its joint venture with Symphony Investments. The move saw YNAP capitalise on the Middle East’s significant growth in the luxury online retail market by offering its full range of products in the region.
Olswang corporate partner Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon led the firm’s team. The deal saw Olswang working closely with YNAP’s Italian legal advisers, Gatti Pavesi Bianchi.
Other recent in-house moves have seen Channel 4 general counsel Prash Naik resign. Naik has been at Channel 4 for almost 23 years, starting as a legal and business affairs executive and taking on positions including senior lawyer and controller of legal and compliance before landing the role of GC in 2014.
tom.baker@legalease.co.uk