London, England, United Kingdom
I’m an experienced General Counsel focused on building and scaling legal functions for fast-growth businesses, with specific experience in the marketplace, SaaS and travel sectors. With a track record of leading legal teams at start-ups and scale-ups, I create pragmatic, scalable frameworks optimised for growth and simplicity. From funding rounds and M&A to establishing contract management frameworks and international expansion, I’ve guided businesses through critical growth initiatives, as well as managing through crises with calm, strategic leadership. I also have significant experience of international data privacy issues, offering practical, business-focused solutions to complex regulatory challenges.
As the first lawyer in the business and member of the leadership team, I built the legal function from the ground up, creating scalable processes and frameworks to support the company’s rapid growth. Beacon is a supply chain visibility and automation software platform Key achievements include: • Guiding a strategic pivot: I advised on the transformation of the business from a physical services model to a SaaS platform, creating a legal framework optimised for frictionless onboarding of customers. • Implementing a privacy framework: Designed and implemented a comprehensive privacy compliance program, addressing international data protection requirements. • Streamlining contract processes: Established a contract management system and controls for approving and signing agreements, boosting efficiency and governance. • Supporting global expansion: Provided strategic legal counsel for the company’s expansion into China, with a focus on privacy and data localisation compliance. • Developing an IP strategy: Laid the foundation for the company’s intellectual property strategy, ensuring protection and alignment with business objectives. • Managing High-Stakes Litigation: Led the company through complex international litigation, that posed a significant risk to the company. This role combined strategic advice to the leadership team with hands-on execution to support the company’s growth and transformation.
Built and led the legal team from 1 to 4 members during a period of rapid international growth and regulatory change. Oversaw all legal matters across global operations. Secret Escapes is an online travel marketplace, offering deals on luxury travel. My work included: • Funding rounds - Coordinating the legal process for multiple equity and debt funding rounds, including emergency raises in the wake of the COVID pandemic. • International M&A - Leading on various share and asset acquisitions and disposals across several countries, including the integration of acquired businesses post-transaction. • Data protection compliance - Navigating huge regulatory change with the introduction of GDPR. Guiding the business through implementing a GDPR compliance program company-wide. • COVID-19 response & crisis management - Leading the company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the coordination of customer service, sales and operations functions. I led the business-wide efforts to repatriate customers, coordinate communications with customers and suppliers and liaised with regulatory bodies. • Establishing the legal function - Streamlining legal operations with a contract management platform, intake solution, and playbooks, as well as scaling the team using both permanent and temporary resources. • Navigating regulatory change - Advising on global consumer and travel regulations at a time when both areas saw major change with the introduction of a new package travel directive and increased scrutiny from the CMA.
Negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts, including outsourcing, cloud and SaaS agreements.
Completing my training contract and subsequently qualifying into the real estate team, advising on various commercial property matters