Grant Dawson
General counsel and company secretary
Centrica
Since Centrica’s demerger from British Gas in 1997, Grant Dawson has ‘made the role his own’, according to one energy partner. This includes leading the way with his advice on deals covering the full spread of power supply and generation, including Centrica’s joint venture with EDF Energy in 2009 and the acquisition of Venture Production.
As the longest-serving member of Centrica’s executive committee his loyalty is unquestionable and as such has been instrumental in helping transform Centrica’s position from a UK gas supplier to an international energy service company. He is responsible for 170 people working in legal, regulatory, compliance and the secretarial team.
Law firms used: Ashurst, Eversheds, Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters, Pinsent Masons, Slaughter and May
1997-present: General counsel and company secretary, Centrica
1991-96: Associate general counsel, Nortel