Experience

The Legal Director

• United Kingdom
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Client Legal DIrector

  • Jun 2016 - Present

  The Legal Director is a fully regulated law firm that provides businesses with experienced, high-calibre lawyers on a part-time or flexible basis. I advise my clients on all areas of corporate, commercial energy and maritime law including:•company law, covering business structures, shareholder/partnership agreements, directors' duties, investment agreements, listings, exit planning, disposals and acquisitions;•commercial agreements, including terms of business, manufacturer and supply, distribution, agency and franchise terms, and all aspects of e-commerce;•employment matters - contracts, staff handbooks, benefits and EMI share schemes;•intellectual property protection and licensing; data protection; •maritime law - S&P, charterparties, finance, ship management, insurance;•litigation;•compliance and risk management;•intellectual property protection and licensing; data protection; and•oil,energy, gas and powerThe following are some of the clients I am currently acting for as their part-time in-houselawyer:Dropit Shopping Ltd; Jellicoe Tankers (UK) Ltd; FinFleet Tankers (UK) Ltd, Matchless Motorcycles Ltd, CommerceBlock Ltd, Rurelec Limited and Cantab Research Ltd.



BP

• France
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Castrol B2B Head of Legal for Castrol at BP

  • Jan 2011 - Sep 2015

  Head of Castrol B2B’s strategic legal function with responsibility for all aspects of commercial, regulatory and compliance activities across all business functions globally. Providing strategic counsel to the CEO and leadership team on commercial and compliance challenges including: anti-trust, anti-bribery and corruption; risk management and safety; contracting and litigation; M&A, joint ventures and strategic partnerships; IP, patents and trademarks; corporate social responsibility, sustainability and environmental stewardship; employment and diversity; sponsorship and promotion.Expert in the legal and regulatory aspects of operating globally within complex international jurisdictions, including issues from market entry to global standardisation.Leader of cross-functional teams including a legal team of three direct reports and a network of more than 28 lawyers across the globe, external counsel, R&D, sales, finance, tax and HR (depending on circumstances). Driving Castrol’s change programme by improving the professional capability of the legal team and contributing to business strategy development and execution.

• Senior Legal Adviser BP Shipping Ltd

  • Jan 2004 - Dec 2010

  Member of the extended leadership team of BP Shipping. Providing commercial and legal advice and working directly with the CEO and the CFO on many projects within different business units including E&P, Global LNG, IST, Procurement and Azerbaijan. Contentious and non-contentious work, valued member of the emergency response team dealing with casualties at sea which requires quick decisive thinking and action to minimise risk and losses. Negotiating under intense pressure and under the spotlight of Senior Group Management and the external media when safety or pollution is a risk. Responsible for advising on a wide range of issues utilising extensive legal shipbuilding experience in offshore support vessels, tugs, tankers and LNG carriers. Managing a range of external lawyers and liaising with banks and other key stakeholders.Holds primary responsibility for the provision of legal advice and the management of legal risk, compliance, contracts and dispute resolution, while providing strategic and operational guidance for the benefit of the wider business.

• Legal Adviser BP Shipping Ltd

  • Apr 2003 - Jan 2004

  Deep specialist marine expertise including contract law, dispute resolution, fuel, cargo, payment, port issues, charterparties, shipbuilding, insurance and tug contract as well as trading bench support for Integrated Supply and Trade and LNG.



The Swedish Club

• Director and Manager of the FD&D department at Swedish Club, Hull, P&I and FD&D Insurers

  • Jan 2001 - Apr 2003

  Contentious and non-contentious work for the shipowner members of the Swedish Club, one of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Mutual Assurance Clubs. Reporting to the main board of directors and keeping members apprised of major cases and contingent liabilities. Working closely with the other heads of departments (Hull and P&I) to promote the “one stop shop” ethos. Advising frequently as General Counsel on all matters pertaining to the corporate entity in London.Responsible for: writing articles for Swedish Club publications and for external titles including the Maritime Advocate; presenting a number of lectures and seminars to trainees and clients in the shipping industry; presenting to members of the Swedish Club and The Hellenic Committee; giving external lectures to the Cambridge Academy of Transport and leading the legal sections of The Swedish Club Academy Insurance Course.



Richards Butler

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Solicitor at Richards Butler

  • Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Trained and qualified for the shipping team primarily working on contentious matters such asHigh Court / Court of Appeal actions, commercial arbitrations and mediations. Taking instructions, reviewing and providing legal opinions on merits of claims and legal arguments, drafting pleadings, statements and settlement agreements. Responsible for a range of tasks including: multi-jurisdictional work; interlocutory applications; advocacy work; enforcements of judgements and arbitration awards; liquid and dry cargo disputes; general charterparty contractual disputes under time and voyage charters; enforcement work for banking clients and finance houses pursuant to loan agreements and deeds of covenants/guarantees; reviewing pooling agreements and advising on insurance cover issues. Also tasked with reviewing and drafting contracts and advising on particularly onerous terms.In private practice, amongst many other cases, I was involved in the Adriatic Tankers litigation and the BLASCO cases. Advising on war risks and UN Sanctions and US Port requirements since 09/11.



Stephenson Harwood LLP

• United Kingdom
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Solicitor at Stephenson Harwood

  • Jan 1993 - Jan 2000

  Solicitor Contentious and non contentious Shipping Law with experience in wet, dry and finance. Solicitor Contentious and non contentious Shipping Law with experience in wet, dry and finance.