United Kingdom: Hall of Fame 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
General counsel and company secretary | British Airways
Chief operating officer - legal, governance and corporate affairs | Rio Tinto
General counsel and company secretary | Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc
Chief risk officer, global general counsel for investments, and head, EMEA | The Carlyle Group
General counsel, compliance officer and data protection officer | E.ON UK Legal, Compliance and Data Protection Team
General counsel and compliance officer | Nestlé UK and Ireland
Director of legal services and company secretary | Associated British Foods
Group general counsel, director of regulatory affairs | BT
Managing director and general counsel, global head of services, legal | Citi
Director of legal - corporate & deputy secretary to the Board | Virgin Media O2
Legal and corporate affairs director | Anglo American (soon to be Anglo Teck)
It is my honour to announce the launch of Legal 500’s inaugural GC Powerlist UK: Hall of Fame. This exclusive group is made up of senior in-house counsel who have consistently stood out throughout our UK research over several consecutive years.
Our Hall of Fame honourees boast extensive experience, with careers spanning the world’s largest financial institutions, government bodies, tech giants, and media conglomerates. This impressive cohort represents more than just legal advisors; they are integrated business partners. As Simon Croxford, General Counsel, investment bank and EMEA at UBS Group Legal UK, reminds us, ‘a good lawyer will go beyond an advisory role’. For Croxford, this means being ‘a strategic partner who… is at the table for key discussions with stakeholders’.
GCs are increasingly relied upon to provide advice that is both legally and commercially viable, remaining compliant while also driving growth. ‘Ultimately, they act as a trusted advisor to the Board and the business, enabling the business to grow while remaining legally and ethically sound’, says Alison Yapp, group general counsel and company secretary at Compass Group.
But the influence of in-house counsel extends beyond legal or commercial objectives. Mark Maurice-Jones, General Counsel and Compliance Officer at Nestlé UK and Ireland, sees ‘an increasing role for in-house counsel in driving forward the company’s purpose and values’. Alongside our other Hall of Famers, Maurice-Jones points to the impact that GCs have on company culture and employee wellbeing. He highlights the work that in-house leaders can do in supporting their organisations’ core values, from ESG and human rights initiatives to fostering an ethical working environment.
Legal 500 is proud to celebrate such an innovative and influential group of in-house counsel, who play an integral role in driving progress both within the legal world and beyond.
Isabel Caine
Editor – Corporate Counsel
Legal 500
The Diversity and Inclusion Forum 2026 took place in Colombia as part of an established annual gathering dedicated to advancing inclusive leadership and fostering equitable workplaces across the region. Bringing together a wide range of senior professionals, legal experts and business leaders, the Forum once again provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of forward-thinking ideas.
From the outset, the event set an engaging and purposeful tone. Following registration, opening remarks were delivered by Margherita Birri, Research Editor at Legal 500, and Enrique Gómez Pinzón, Executive Partner at Holland & Knight. Both speakers underscored the growing importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as a strategic priority, highlighting the responsibility of organisations to embed inclusive practices within their core operations and culture.
The central panel discussion, “Engagement Forward: Building Business with Social Purpose”, explored how organisations can align commercial objectives with broader societal impact. The session featured an accomplished panel comprising Sheilla Namen Chavarro (Corporate Affairs VP, Biomax), Antonio Docampo (Operative Director, WOK), Diego Mora Posada (Chief Legal Officer, Gramalote Colombia Limited), Mateo Rodríguez Borda (General Counsel, Juan Valdez Café), Cindy Duque Bonilla (Partner, Holland & Knight), and Inés Elvira Vesga (Partner, Holland & Knight).
Panellists shared practical insights into integrating social purpose into business strategies, emphasising the importance of authentic engagement, leadership accountability, and measurable outcomes. The discussion also addressed challenges such as sustaining momentum beyond initial commitments, alongside the opportunities that inclusive policies present in driving innovation, strengthening employee engagement, and supporting long-term sustainability.
A recurring theme throughout the session was the need to move DEI from aspiration to action. Speakers highlighted the importance of going beyond rhetoric and focusing on concrete initiatives capable of delivering lasting impact both within organisations and across wider communities. The exchange of perspectives reflected the evolving DEI landscape in Colombia and across Latin America more broadly.
As a key fixture in the annual calendar, the Diversity and Inclusion Forum 2026 delivered an insightful and engaging programme. The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among attendees, reinforcing a shared commitment to building workplaces—and communities—where inclusion is not only valued but actively practised.
Overall, the Forum successfully fulfilled its aim of inspiring, connecting and equipping leaders to drive meaningful change, continuing its role as a leading annual platform for advancing diversity and inclusion.
