Profile: Simon Dowson-Collins, HarperCollins UK

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The media lawyer talks about daytime TV and taking the top spot at the publishing giant.

Although not recommended for your average wannabe general counsel (GC), before rising up to become HarperCollins’ most senior UK lawyer, Simon Dowson-Collins’ in-house career began by watching television during the day.

Formerly with media firm Wright Webb Syrett, which merged with the now defunct Davenport Lyons, Dowson-Collins’ enviable first taste of life on the buy-side was as a media defamation litigator at the BBC, checking programmes such as Have I Got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and They Think It’s all Over.

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In-house: Ben Sherman’s GC moves to Myla; DfT’s former GC Muttukumaru joins Monckton

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Lee Gage has left Ben Sherman after five years as general counsel (GC) to join luxury lingerie retailer Myla in the same role. His move comes as Monckton Chambers yesterday (3 June) announced the arrival of the Department for Transport’s (DFT’s) former GC Christopher Muttukumaru as a tenant. Continue reading “In-house: Ben Sherman’s GC moves to Myla; DfT’s former GC Muttukumaru joins Monckton”

ITV pulls in panel firms in new development programme as it launches ‘gold plated’ CSR scheme

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ITV is taking steps to embed its law firms in the fabric of the organisation by involving them in a new programme of training and development with its lawyers, as it also launches a new, extensive social mobility iniative involving private practice pairings with Microsoft, Yahoo and MTV. Continue reading “ITV pulls in panel firms in new development programme as it launches ‘gold plated’ CSR scheme”

The Crown Estate’s Peeke to join Land Securities in legal head role

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Land Securities, the UK’s largest listed property company, has hired The Crown Estate’s deputy head of legal Alex Peeke as head of legal, taking over the day-to-day conduct of the legal function and operations and reporting to group general counsel (GC) and company secretary Adrian de Souza. Continue reading “The Crown Estate’s Peeke to join Land Securities in legal head role”

In-house: Sainsbury’s unveils new panel; Lloyds brings in insurance GC; Ladbrokes promotes deputy to GC role

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A trio of significant in-house moves and announcements yesterday (6 May) saw King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin and TLT awarded a first-time spot on Sainsbury’s latest panel, as Lloyds Banking Group appointed RSM Tenon’s former group general counsel (GC) Joanne Jolly to lead its insurance group and outgoing Ladbrokes GC Jonathan Adelman handed over the reins to his deputy. Continue reading “In-house: Sainsbury’s unveils new panel; Lloyds brings in insurance GC; Ladbrokes promotes deputy to GC role”

Taking the lead – the GCs striving for life without a law firm

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A growing band of in-house counsel are taking on major projects with little or no support from outside advisers. How far can ambitious GCs push the envelope?

When asked why an in-house legal team would choose to handle the majority of its major projects in-house, head of legal at Marks & Spencer, Robert Ivens, turns the question on its head.

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Worth the money: Barclays to introduce value accounts for upcoming legal panel

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Failure to meet value targets set to result in firms partially refunding banking giant

As Barclays’ long-awaited review of its global legal panel moves closer to completion, it has emerged that the bank is set to shake up how it interacts with its external advisers with the introduction of corporate value accounts.

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Heading to The Ivy: Legal Business and RPC team up for GC Power List Summer Reception

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We’ve made it no secret that a major aim for Legal Business and its Legalease stablemates is to better engage with the general counsel (GC) community. As such, we’re taking another step in that direction with the launch of an exclusive debate and networking event in June, building on the success of our acclaimed Power List report.

The GC Power List Summer Reception will be held on the evening of 11 June, with RPC as lead sponsor. The event will comprise 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 will include senior lawyers sharing their experiences from companies including Land Securities, ITV, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Shire and Vodafone.

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