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, in partnership with Lexis Nexis. 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
On 3 September, after the success of the Kenya launch, Legal 500 hosted the second official launch event for the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026, in partnership with ENS. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, the evening brought together many of the region’s leading in-house lawyers, with a particular focus on celebrating the strength and contribution of Uganda’s legal community.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their outstanding contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Giulio was followed by Rachel Musoke, Head of ENS Uganda, who addressed the audience and applauded the exceptional achievements of those recognised in the 2026 edition.
Following the formal certificate presentation ceremony, Candy Wekesa Okoboi, Head of Legal at Stanbic Bank Uganda, was invited to speak on behalf of the honourees. She reflected on the significance of being recognised by the publication and emphasised the importance of bringing together East Africa’s in-house legal community to celebrate shared achievements, strengthen professional connections, and support the continued development of the profession across the region.
The Kampala launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s outstanding in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, leadership, and innovation present across East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process, and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
