An evolution in service for in-house legal teams
Konexo develops strategic support for in-house teams and the c-suite
To support demand from our clients for senior skills and experience, Konexo is capitalising on the skills of a number of former senior general counsel and heads of legal operations who have held recent and significant roles at large listed and private corporates. The skills and experience of these individuals will build on a number of our service offerings, which already provide a range of consulting, interim resourcing, and managed services.
We will be focused on supporting in-house teams and the c-suite in four key areas:
- Companies looking for an interim GC, whether to plug a gap or as their first senior in-house lawyer
- Helping with a strategic issue, such as a major project, investigation, corporate financing or M&A activity – where the experience of someone who has ‘been there and done it’ is vital
- Coaching and skills development for in-house lawyers, new heads of legal, or new GCs, with the support of an advice line service
- Re-designing the in-house legal team and support for legal operations functions including legal team design, systems, processes and use of technology
By placing experienced, former GCs and heads of legal operations within in-house legal and compliance teams, we will help clients unlock more value from their in-house teams in the delivery of legal and compliance services. The GCs and heads of legal operations will work to each client’s bespoke brief, with activity ranging from addressing any knowledge and skills gaps within in-house teams for start-ups or SME-sized businesses, managing business as usual activity during busy periods or workload fluctuations, through to advising on and implementing complex change and transformation projects in support of client’s strategic, boardroom goals.
David Boyd, Partner, commented:
“Our clients tell us that they need senior expertise and specialist legal advice, and often require a resource that will embed and work alongside their in-house teams. Our services have evolved to meet these demands. We can now provide clients with access to experienced, senior former GC’s and heads of legal operations, with their inherent quality and efficiency, to meet clients’ needs. The first three former GCs on our roster, Hugh Ford, John Bennett and Stephen Cooke, have extensive listed and private company experience in many commercial sectors, across both contentious and non-contentious activity. Their unique and valuable skillsets will be welcomed by our clients and we look forward to working closely with them.”
Hugh Ford, former GC and Group Treasurer, Intu Properties plc; General Manager Legal at Virgin Atlantic Airways commented:
“Having been both a provider and client of in-house legal services, I understand the value skilled, experienced individuals bring as part of an in-house team when delivering on strategically important matters and meeting the expectations of senior executives and boards. We see a strong market for this form of embedded leadership and advisory service, particularly one which can provide a fresh perspective and is supported by the wider skills that Konexo brings. I am looking forward to working with Konexo to deliver this new service and to helping their and Eversheds Sutherland’s clients resolve the strategic legal, compliance and regulatory issues they face.”
John Bennett, founder and CEO, Melius Law and former COO, Legal & Regulatory and Director of Legal, Santander; General Counsel, Bank of Ireland (UK) plc; commented:
“Against a backdrop of regulatory headwinds and cost constraints, General Counsel face increasing pressure to deliver for their business. The stakes are high and expectations are higher.
This service will assist in-house teams by enabling them to focus on their core roles whilst being able to draw on the support and guidance of senior former GCs and legal operations specialists. Having worked closely with Konexo during my time at Santander, I have seen the value and creativity that an interim, senior legal resource can add to a business. In this role, I’m able to bring a deeper level of experience and understanding to clients of the issues they are facing, and I look forward to working with Konexo to develop this offering.”
Stephen Cooke, former Deputy General Counsel, Head of Digital Business Services Legal, HSBC; COO Global Legal, HSBC commented:
“As a progressive legal leader, I look forward to delivering high quality, commercial and efficient legal services, particularly in relation to key challenges around impact and importance of technology. In the continuous drive for efficiency, it is essential that the needs and priorities of corporate stakeholders are understood to define the focus of the legal team. My depth of experience in partnerships, technology, legal operations and beyond will be of benefit to clients of Eversheds Sutherland and Konexo.”
Our recent projects and client activity have focused on providing in-house legal and compliance technology consulting advice, support for large regulatory change projects such as IBOR, large scale remediation exercises with an emphasis on financial crime, managed services to support in house operating models, in particular for loans and commercial contracts, and placement of interim resources at all levels and across numerous skillsets to cover short term or longer term requirements.
