Legal Business

Kenneth Underhill – ACE European Group

Kenneth Underhill

Senior vice president and general counsel

ACE European Group

 

Kenneth Underhill admits that he is no easy taskmaster. He describes himself as ‘tough but fair – and of course ever busy’. As such, he expects both his in-house and external legal teams to have a thorough understanding of the insurance industry. As one insurance partner says: ‘He expects outside counsel to reflect ACE’s own innovative and commercial approach.’

Two of the firms ACE uses most often are Norton Rose and Clyde & Co. ‘We always strive to build long-term relationships with our external legal partners, because, in our experience, the best outcomes inevitably follow when our partners understand our business and our culture well,’ he says.


 

Law firms used: Clyde & Co, Norton Rose

2007-present: Senior vice president and general counsel, ACE European Group

1999-2007: Partner, RPC

1994-99: Solicitor, Heath Lambert