Profile: Carol Hui – Heathrow Airport Holdings

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Heathrow’s legal chief on early responsibility, legal satnavs and runway three.

While most general counsel (GCs) at major companies will talk of the attraction of getting close to the business, in a highly varied career Heathrow Airport Holdings legal head Carol Hui really can claim to have been at the corporate coalface for years.

The Slaughter and May-trained lawyer has amassed a huge range of experience since moving to British Gas in a senior corporate role at a time when female lawyers in influential roles were rare in private practice, let alone industry. Continue reading “Profile: Carol Hui – Heathrow Airport Holdings”

Careers counsel for aspiring lawyers: Roche’s Funke Abimbola

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Roche UK managing counsel Funke Abimbola (pictured) has embraced diversity in both her widely varied in-house activity and in her equally challenging voluntary work. Recognised as a leading healthcare and life sciences lawyer, she received the 2012 Association of Women Solicitors’ in-house award and most recently saw her team shortlisted for the 2013 in-house team of the year distinctions at the Legal Business Awards and Halsbury Legal Awards. Continue reading “Careers counsel for aspiring lawyers: Roche’s Funke Abimbola”

GC Power List – Summer Reception 2014

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The GC Power List Summer Reception was held on the evening of 11 June, with RPC as lead sponsor. The event comprised a relaxed debate chaired by veteran City columnist Anthony Hilton followed by an evening of food and drink at the renowned private members’ club at The Ivy. The debate included senior lawyers sharing their experiences from companies including Land Securities, ITV, Royal Bank of Scotland, Shire and Vodafone.

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Deutsche Bank appoints new global head of regulatory affairs

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Following the departure of Deutsche Bank’s compliance and regulatory affairs chief Andrew Procter to Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) in March, the investment bank has hired Banque de France’s Sylvie Matherat as its new global head of regulatory affairs, taking over some of Procter’s former responsibilities. Continue reading “Deutsche Bank appoints new global head of regulatory affairs”

A bit of hustle, a bit of love – GCs expect attention and pitching from advisers

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In our focus on Nabarro this month the firm comes in for some criticism at the hands of an important client for its failure to engage, to make the client aware of its strategy, or simply to make the general counsel (GC) feel sufficient love.

While this is just one client and Nabarro could undoubtedly rustle up on the spot a dozen others that have a different take on their client service levels, this prestigious client legal head says: ‘I’ve spoken to other GCs about it and they have similar issues, it’s bewildering.’

Continue reading “A bit of hustle, a bit of love – GCs expect attention and pitching from advisers”

Barclays’ Americas chief Michael Crowl set to join UBS

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Barclays’ high-profile managing director and general counsel (GC) for the Americas, Michael Crowl, is to head UBS’ US wealth management division, replacing former permanent head Jonathan Eisenberg, who returned to K&L Gates earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Barclays last month confirmed the bank has, until a permanent replacement is announced, put in place two interim heads: New York-based Kevin Genirs and Marcelo Riffaud.

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Second Best – The Pros and Cons of Borrowing Your Talent

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The secondment has long been leant on by corporates to plug holes in their resources but, as the economy recovers and law firms’ resources become strained, does the model still deliver?

Often billed as a win-win for resource-strapped in-house teams and private practice firms looking to deepen their client relationships, secondments are arguably also a convenient window dressing for clients to get something for nothing in the name of relationship building.

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Sainsbury’s unveils new panel as Lloyds appoints insurance GC

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Significant in-house announcements in May saw King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin and TLT awarded first-time spots on Sainsbury’s panel, while Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) appointed RSM Tenon’s former group general counsel (GC) Joanne Jolly to lead its insurance group.

Sainsbury’s recently concluded the third review of what it calls its ‘legal community’: a 12-strong collaborative law firm panel, which saw reappointments for Addleshaw Goddard; Bond Dickinson; CMS Cameron McKenna; Croner; Dentons; DWF; Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co; Linklaters; Shepherd and Wedderburn; and Winckworth Sherwood.

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