The GC Series

Insights from in-house leaders and

our exclusive event invitation

Click below for our GC video interview series

A note from James Lewindon

Our 2025 white paper asked the question, "Why are lawyers underrepresented in CEO roles?". The response to our publication was so overwhelmingly positive, we decided to continue the conversation.

I launched an interview series with Heads of Legal and GCs to find out what it takes to step out of your comfort zone and climb the in-house career ladder.

While these legal leaders share a range of varied perspectives, there were themes that appeared throughout these stories; pushing past fear, and being open to the new and unknown. Throughout this series, I've been struck by the refreshing openness of our interviewees. I know that their honesty about their challenges and feelings of self-doubt, coupled with their generosity of advice, will be a breath of fresh air, and will provide meaningful guidance to anyone aiming to progress in-house.

Click below to read our GC to CEO White Paper

The GC to CEO White Paper

General Counsel Horizons Event

The GC Series Wrap-Up Event: General Counsel Horizons

Thursday 19 March @ 6pm

Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London, EC2A 4ES

Networking, nibbles and drinks

To celebrate the conclusion of our GC Series, we would like you to join us for an exclusive evening event out our Crown Place London office.

Guest speaker, former intelligence officer, Tim Bradshaw, will deliver a talk on resilience and making decisions under pressure.

Spaces are limited; click below to register your interest in attending.

I would like to attend

The GC Interview Series

"Don't wait until you feel fully ready; just start."

Rebecca Rawson, Senior Managing Counsel and Board Member at Mastercard, spoke to us about the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on the many transferable skills held by lawyers. "Acknowledge the fear, embrace the risk, and think about the value that you're going to bring."

"A GC is seen as a strategic partner to the business... and a key advisor to the C-Suite."

Sherrill Taggart, General Counsel EMEA, Legal, Risk & Compliance at FTI Consulting, discusses the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, and gaining a deep understanding of your business' strategy.

"Be curious and broaden your horizons."

Alex O'Connell, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Fever-Tree, emphasises the importance of the right focus when it comes to in-house career progression, advising lawyers to "Think about what you're working towards, rather than what you're trying to get away from."

"I was in a velvet rut... it was very comfortable, but it was still a rut."

Kirstie Ross, sustainability lead at TSB Bank, shares how stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing new challenges led her to combine her legal expertise with her passion for sustainability, finding greater fulfilment in her career. Her experiences highlight the value of transferable skills and the importance of pursuing what truly motivates you, even when it means venturing into something new.

"If the competency and the willingness is there to be involved in wider matters, why not take advantage of that?"

Simon Swain, Group Legal Director at Advanced Medical Solutions, shares his insights into stepping outside traditional legal boundaries, developing financial understanding, and proactively seeking new experiences.

"The challenge in branching out lies in shifting that perception from a gatekeeper to more of a strategic enabler."

Lorna Burnet, General Counsel, Performance Excellence at Weir Group PLC, emphasises the importance of overcoming stereotypes and demonstrating value beyond legal expertise. She stresses that the key to a successful transition into non-traditional opportunities lie in strong cross-functional relationships and delivering tangible strategic results.

"We've all got bills to pay families to provide for. Well, I fail. If I fail, will I get back into the law?"

Richard Crabb, Head of Legal and Commercial at NuBreed Hotels, shares his remarkable career journey from marketing into law, and onward into senior leadership roles. Richard reveals the challenges and apprehensions of stepping away from a purely legal role, highlighting that self-awareness, boldness and adaptability were the key to overcoming imposter syndrome and achieving his varied successes.

"Growth comes from making sure you have an opportunity to grow your experience and capability by trying something new and doing something different."

William Morris, General Counsel - Corporate for Rolls-Royce, reflects on his transition from legal counsel to board director, highlighting the importance of versatility. Drawing on his broad experience in risk, compliance, and governance, William demonstrates how legal professionals can bring valuable independent judgment to the boardroom.

“Treat most career moves as two‑way doors; you can go through, come back, and therefore decide faster.”

Ciara O'Buachalla, AI Governance Manager for Logitech, recounts moving from law through an MBA, to a startup, and Amazon into AI governance, highlighting how lawyers’ fast‑learning, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional skills transfer beyond a purely legal remit.

“Curiosity, curiosity, curiosity — that’s how you expand your impact beyond what’s in your job title.”

Sarah Gray, General Counsel for Railpen, shares her journey from private‑practice M&A lawyer to interim Group General Counsel at the Post Office, sharing how stepping beyond traditional legal roles transformed her into a broader business leader.

“If we go in speaking the business language, we start to reshape how CEOs see the legal profession”

Brenda Albert, Legal Director at Kone, describes her transition from private practice into a broad, business-focused legal leadership role by becoming deeply curious about the business, embracing calculated risk, and deliberately building her brand beyond legal expertise.

“You grow where you're uncomfortable. You don't grow in the area that you were comfortable with.”

Chris Fowler, Chief Operating Officer Legal, Governance & Corporate Affairs at Rio Tinto, reflects on confronting fear, embracing uncertainty, learning to manage change, and developing skills far beyond traditional legal work. Chris offers grounded, practical advice on growth, leadership, and finding purpose by challenging yourself, trusting supportive mentors, and backing your own potential.

“Assume you’re not the smartest person in the room; you need other people to help you get where you need to be.”

Paul Barrett, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Helios Towers, discusses how his role as General Counsel expanded far beyond legal work, emphasising the importance of commercial understanding, people skills, and proactive career development. His story highlights how stepping outside your comfort zone can build confidence, capability, and leadership strength.

“Be curious, be confident, and go get it.”

Christian Fahey, Deputy General Counsel and Company Secretary (EMEA & APAC) for Ankura, reflects on a career shaped by stepping beyond traditional legal work into broader business, governance, and board roles. Saying, “Yes” to opportunities has deepened his capabilities as a lawyer, and opened unexpected doors, including starting his private pilot licence.

“There were a lot of failures along the way as well as successes. I’ve been around the block on career development and learned how to do it the hard way.”

Michael Phillips, Head of Legal for Schroders Personal Wealth, reflects on his non-linear career path, shaped by late‑diagnosed ADHD, and the trial‑and‑error approach that ultimately helped him build an impressively broad range of skills, and an understanding of where he thrives professionally. Michael’s experience demonstrates how embracing curiosity, small, strategic steps and leveraging your strengths can lead to a meaningful, rewarding career.

“I was feeling very comfortable, so I wanted to feel a bit uncomfortable… finding out whether I could do a non‑legal job was the challenge I wanted.”

Helen McGrath, Head of Global Payment Methods Partnerships Program at Stripe, describes her transition from in‑house lawyer to a business‑side leader as a journey driven by curiosity, self‑reflection, and the desire for new challenges. She stresses the importance of developing an "extreme growth mindset" to make the shift from advising on decisions to owning them as a business leader.

Legal Geek: GC Series Live

We were at Legal Geek 2025, and had the opportunity to continue our GC Interview Series live on stage. James Lewindon spoke to Lawrence Grabau, Chief Legal Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe, about his fascinating career journey. Click below to read his insights and watch the interview.

Legal Geek 2025

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The GC Series

Insights from in-house leaders and

our exclusive event invitation

Click below for our GC video interview series

Rebecca Rawson Mastercard

Sherrill Taggart FTI Consulting

Alex O'Connell Fever-Tree

Kirstie Ross TSB Bank

Simon Swain Advanced Medical Solutions

Lorna Burnet Weir Group PLC

Richard Crabb NuBreed Hotels

Lawrence Grabau Pizza Hut UK & Europe

William Morris Rolls-Royce

Ciara O'Buachalla Logitech

Sarah Gray Railpen

Brenda Albert Kone

Chris Fowler Rio Tinto

Paul Barrett Helios Towers

Christian Fahey Ankura

Michael Phillips Schroders Personal Wealth

Helen McGrath Stripe

A note from James Lewindon

Our 2025 white paper asked the question, "Why are lawyers underrepresented in CEO roles?". The response to our publication was so overwhelmingly positive, we decided to continue the conversation.

I launched an interview series with Heads of Legal and GCs to find out what it takes to step out of your comfort zone and climb the in-house career ladder.

Click below to read our GC to CEO White Paper

General Counsel Horizons Event

The GC Series Wrap-Up Event: General Counsel Horizons

Thursday 19 March @ 6pm

Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London, EC2A 4ES

Networking, nibbles and drinks

To celebrate the conclusion of our GC Series, we would like you to join us for an exclusive evening event out our Crown Place London office.

Guest speaker, former intelligence officer, Tim Bradshaw, will deliver a talk on resilience and making decisions under pressure.

Spaces are limited; click below to register your interest in attending.

The GC Interview Series

"Don't wait until you feel fully ready; just start."

Rebecca Rawson, Senior Managing Counsel and Board Member at Mastercard, spoke to us about the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on the many transferable skills held by lawyers. "Acknowledge the fear, embrace the risk, and think about the value that you're going to bring."

"A GC is seen as a strategic partner to the business... and a key advisor to the C-Suite."

Sherrill Taggart, General Counsel EMEA, Legal, Risk & Compliance at FTI Consulting, discusses the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, and gaining a deep understanding of your business' strategy.

"Be curious and broaden your horizons."

Alex O'Connell, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Fever-Tree, emphasises the importance of the right focus when it comes to in-house career progression, advising lawyers to "Think about what you're working towards, rather than what you're trying to get away from."

"I was in a velvet rut... it was very comfortable, but it was still a rut."

"If the competency and the willingness is there to be involved in wider matters, why not take advantage of that?"

Simon Swain, Group Legal Director at Advanced Medical Solutions, shares his insights into stepping outside traditional legal boundaries, developing financial understanding, and proactively seeking new experiences.

"The challenge in branching out lies in shifting that perception from a gatekeeper to more of a strategic enabler."

"We've all got bills to pay families to provide for. Well, I fail. If I fail, will I get back into the law?"

"Growth comes from making sure you have an opportunity to grow your experience and capability by trying something new and doing something different."

“Treat most career moves as two‑way doors; you can go through, come back, and therefore decide faster.”

Ciara O'Buachalla, AI Governance Manager for Logitech, recounts moving from law through an MBA, to a startup, and Amazon into AI governance, highlighting how lawyers’ fast‑learning, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional skills transfer beyond a purely legal remit.

“Curiosity, curiosity, curiosity — that’s how you expand your impact beyond what’s in your job title.”

Sarah Gray, General Counsel for Railpen, shares her journey from private‑practice M&A lawyer to interim Group General Counsel at the Post Office, sharing how stepping beyond traditional legal roles transformed her into a broader business leader.

“If we go in speaking the business language, we start to reshape how CEOs see the legal profession”

Brenda Albert, Legal Director at Kone, describes her transition from private practice into a broad, business-focused legal leadership role by becoming deeply curious about the business, embracing calculated risk, and deliberately building her brand beyond legal expertise.

“You grow where you're uncomfortable. You don't grow in the area that you were comfortable with.”

“Assume you’re not the smartest person in the room; you need other people to help you get where you need to be.”

“Be curious, be confident, and go get it.”

“There were a lot of failures along the way as well as successes. I’ve been around the block on career development and learned how to do it the hard way.”

“I was feeling very comfortable, so I wanted to feel a bit uncomfortable… finding out whether I could do a non‑legal job was the challenge I wanted.”

Legal Geek: GC Series Live

We were at Legal Geek 2025, and had the opportunity to continue our GC Interview Series live on stage. James Lewindon spoke to Lawrence Grabau, Chief Legal Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe, about his fascinating career journey. Click below to read his insights and watch the interview.

OUT LAW / YOUR DAILY NEED TO KNOW

A purpose-led professional services business with law at the core

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