Philip van den Heever

Head of Legal – APAC | Executive Legal & Risk Leader | Corporate, Commercial, IR & Employment | Franchising | Governance | Multi-Jurisdictional

Mascot, New South Wales, Australia

About

Senior legal executive and trusted adviser to boards and executive leadership teams, with extensive experience leading Legal, Commercial, Industrial Relations, Employment and Risk functions across complex, multi-jurisdictional and highly regulated environments. Currently Head of Legal – APAC, responsible for delivering strategic, commercially focused legal leadership across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Pacific. I partner closely with executive teams to enable growth, manage enterprise risk and support operational decision-making in dynamic, customer-facing and franchised business models. My background spans both private practice and senior in-house leadership, with deep expertise in corporate & commercial law, industrial relations, employment compliance, franchising, WHS, regulatory engagement and dispute resolution. I am known for providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented advice that balances legal integrity with commercial outcomes. I bring a strong governance mindset, coupled with the ability to lead teams, manage complex stakeholder environments and navigate high-risk, high-impact situations.

Experience

  • Head of Legal | Pacific at Avis Budget Group
    Nov 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

    Executive leader responsible for the Legal function across APAC, supporting a large, geographically dispersed and partly franchised operation. - Lead legal strategy across multiple jurisdictions, aligning legal support with business objectives - Trusted adviser to executive leadership on corporate, commercial, employment and risk matters - Oversee industrial relations, employment compliance and workforce risk (AU & NZ) - Advise on franchising strategy, compliance and dispute management - Lead major litigation, disputes and regulatory engagement - Support M&A, restructuring and strategic initiatives - Drive compliance frameworks across employment, privacy, franchising and third-party risk - Oversee critical commercial contracts, including technology, supplier and partnership agreements - Provide leadership on data privacy, cyber risk and digital transformation initiatives

  • Member Board Of Directors at Integricare
    Oct 2018 - Aug 2024 · 5 yrs 11 mos

  • Executive Director | Head of Legal at Australian and International Pilots Association
    May 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos

    - Senior legal and executive adviser to a major federally registered organisation - Led industrial relations strategy, including enterprise bargaining and major negotiations - Managed complex disputes, litigation and regulatory matters - Provided governance and strategic advice to Board and senior stakeholders - Led organisational risk, HR and compliance functions - Managed and developed a multidisciplinary team

  • Special Counsel / Business Development Manager at Frank Law
    Jan 2018 - May 2021 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    - Advised on commercial, corporate, employment and property law matters - Supported privately owned businesses with strategic legal and risk advice - Contributed to business development and client relationship growth

  • Executive Director at Australian and International Pilots Association
    2007 - 2017 · 10 yrs

    Senior legal and executive adviser to a major federally registered organisation Led industrial relations strategy, including enterprise bargaining and major negotiations - Managed complex disputes, litigation and regulatory matters - Provided governance and strategic advice to Board and senior stakeholders - Led organisational risk, HR and compliance functions - Managed and developed a multidisciplinary team