Kelvan Swinnerton
Head of legal
Canada Life
Kelvan Swinnerton is known for solving problems quickly. Having been a partner at insurance firm Kennedys for the best part of a decade, one private practitioner says of him: ‘Kel has a very sharp legal mind, which he couples with a drive to resolve problems proactively and practically – he always has an eye open for the most sensible solution. He also manages to maintain a lively sense of humour.’
He has high expectations of his external firms and will be most impressed when a law firm can condense the complex. ‘I’m quite exacting on keeping things succinct and expect my lawyers to do the same,’ he says. ‘I like to put myself in the shoes of those to whom I am answerable and expect a high quality, value for money, easy to follow product.’
Law firms used: Herbert Smith Freehills, Slaughter and May
2008-present: Head of legal, Canada Life
2007-08: Head of legal, Bupa International
2003-07: General counsel, Catlin Group
1994-2001: Senior solicitor, Kennedys