{"id":67463,"date":"2023-12-06T12:03:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T12:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taylorroot.com\/?p=67463"},"modified":"2026-04-14T08:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:54:08","slug":"2023-general-counsel-in-retail-and-fmcg-how-do-you-build-a-high-performing-legal-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/hiring-advice-de\/2023-general-counsel-in-retail-and-fmcg-how-do-you-build-a-high-performing-legal-team\/","title":{"rendered":"General Counsel in retail and FMCG 2023 | How do you build a high performing legal team?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide post-content-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-66738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_4023-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In November we hosted a General Counsel roundtable for 20 senior leaders in the retail and FMCG sector.<br><br>During the interactive discussion, co-chaired by Dan Webster, General Counsel at Harrod, we defined the pillars that create a high performing team and what leadership qualities General Counsel need to possess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can create a positive, values led team culture this will encourage open communication and trust for your team to work effectively. As a General Counsel you should be present and be seen, be able to register the pulse of your business and seek feedback from key stakeholders regularly to assess legal\u2019s image. It was agreed that bringing together both a strategic and human approach for recruitment and management of your team is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-brand-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98d56d530559b7c0a8b970777796e9e0\" id=\"h-recruiting-talent\">Recruiting talent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don\u2019t rely solely on a CV \u2013 interpersonal skills are crucial in-house<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be strategic with your recruitment process \u2013 involve a mix of interview styles and people in the organisation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement a skills assessment, such as technical mark-up, drafting a response to an email or talking through a scenario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for \u201cculture add\u201d rather than seeking a uniform \u201cculture fit\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-brand-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-faac409e03fb3657f91eba3207b1775f\" id=\"h-managing-your-team-effectively\">Managing your team effectively<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adopt a personalized approach to managing direct reports \u2013 get to know the individual and lead with empathy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Motivate your team by finding stimulating, challenging and varied work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trust your people, give them the autonomy and freedom to thrive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be creative with offering opportunities for growth, transparent about career progression and proactive in salary conversations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-brand-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a1e8f9a68589d3d32ab0cd1c63ded393\" id=\"h-leadership-responsibilities\">Leadership responsibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strive to avoid internal politics. Protect your independence and impartiality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lead by example \u2013 it\u2019s important that you carry on doing actual legal work both to keep your skills alive but to be credible as a senior adviser for your team and the business<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be understanding the unique perspectives of your team members, you can create an inclusive environment for them to thrive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utilise your position as a General Counsel to actively drive diversity, equity and inclusion within your team, organisation and the broader industry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nurturing a high-performing legal team is an ongoing journey, marked by strategic recruitment, effective team management, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive culture. As leaders, embracing these insights will not only elevate the legal function but also contribute to the success and growth of the broader business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like to discuss these topics further or the in-house market or hiring needs for your team, please get in touch with Georgia at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:georgiamorgan-wynne@taylorroot.com\">georgiamorgan-wynne@taylorroot.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n\t<div class=\"hd-block hd-block-author\" id=\"block_6ad75edf878639729c3b719eb6c8f822\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"eyebrow-group\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"hd-block-job__title is-style-eyebrow eyebrow-group__title\">Author<\/h3>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"cards cards--people\">\n\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"card card--person post-565 hd_person type-hd_person status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry hd_person_role_type-permanent hd_person_sector-corporate-and-commercial hd_person_seniority-managing-director hd_person_specialism-in-house hd_person_location-london hd_person_location-uk\" id=\"block_6ad75edf878639729c3b719eb6c8f822-person-565\">\n\n\t<div class=\"card--person__inner\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card__image-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/consultants\/georgia-morgan-wynne\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GeorgiaMorgan-Wynne_web1000x1000-300x300.jpg\" class=\"card__image test\" alt=\"Georgia Morgan-Wynne Headshot\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, (max-width: 781px) 50vw, (max-width: 1023px) 40vw, (max-width: 1200px) 25vw, 370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GeorgiaMorgan-Wynne_web1000x1000-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GeorgiaMorgan-Wynne_web1000x1000-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GeorgiaMorgan-Wynne_web1000x1000-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GeorgiaMorgan-Wynne_web1000x1000.jpg 1000w\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__titles\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/consultants\/georgia-morgan-wynne\/\">Georgia Morgan-Wynne<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"card__subtitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/consultants\/georgia-morgan-wynne\/\">Managing Director | In-house Legal | Corporate and Commercial<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__location\">London, UK<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__email\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"card__contact-link card__contact-link--email\" href=\"mailto:georgiamorgan-wynne@taylorroot.com\">georgiamorgan-wynne@taylorroot.com<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__tel\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"card__contact-link card__contact-link--tel\" href=\"tel:+442073322482\">+44 20 7332 2482<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"card__contact-link card__contact-link--linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/georgiamorganwynne\/\">Connect<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n<!-- Banner -->\n\n\n<div class=\"hs-cta-embed hs-cta-simple-placeholder hs-cta-embed-274773364927\"\n  style=\"max-width:100%; max-height:100%; width:260px;height:520px\" data-hubspot-wrapper-cta-id=\"274773364927\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/cta-eu1.hubspot.com\/web-interactives\/public\/v1\/track\/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLpyHBn4THqZryjLePpd0VoQqyl5krae%2B%2FfwPOiPtQLZRMTHTsta71udlEB21txg%2Bl7OSU4UpzrriDOlNodZgPZwO6brr5jDZxDtVJaksExRdZWoKEOPBzmhNqe03ClLEoUy1C5J5eM6iYX9cZRwUrOAHp%2FNCkjL3ky%2B5dHs%2B0IeK4QEaPc11kDvBC2yirNGU6fCX4hUaoGUte0R4LkSq9b%2B4FrH1i%2BrftjdlFKNzprYqiuBh4ns87DJw%3D%3D&#038;webInteractiveContentId=274773364927&#038;portalId=26669168\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TR_GLO_2026_in-house_report_web-banner_Global-new\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/cta\/default\/26669168\/interactive-274773364927.png\" style=\"height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill\"\n      onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"hd-block hd-block-posts is-template-grid alignwide\" id=\"block_f920e8a2fa3bb264709b222e712b00cf\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"eyebrow-group\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"hd-block-job__title is-style-eyebrow eyebrow-group__title\">Featured Content<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-arrow eyebrow-group__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"hd-block-posts__button button wp-block-button__link eyebrow-group__link\" href=\"https:\/\/taylorroot.com\/resources\">See all<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"cards cards--posts\">\n\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"card card--post post-94275 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-in-house category-market-update category-uk tag-new_in-house-market-insights hd_author-sarah-ingwersen\" id=\"block_f920e8a2fa3bb264709b222e712b00cf-job-94275\">\n\n\t<a class=\"card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/market-insight\/market-update\/uk-in-house-market-update\/\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card__image-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-627872842-1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"card__image\" alt=\"Businessman talking to colleagues in meeting\" sizes=\"(max-width: 481px) 100vw, (max-width: 599px) 50vw, (max-width: 1240px) 33vw, 370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-627872842-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iStock-627872842-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"card__tags\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__tag\"><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"card__title\">UK and Ireland in-house legal recruitment market update Q3<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<ul class=\"meta__list\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__published-date meta__item\"><span class=\"meta__item-label\">Posted<\/span> <span class=\"meta__item-value\">July 13, 2026<\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">Contents Key insights Corporate and commercial, London Banking and financial services, London Interim, London Regional UK Ireland Corporate and commercial, London Q2 saw confidence continue to build across the in-house legal market, although hiring remained measured and highly strategic. Businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty, evolving regulation and rapid technological change, but there was greater [&hellip;]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card card--post post-118496 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-governance category-hiring-advice category-uk tag-new_risk-and-compliance-hiring-advice hd_author-zaryna-pirverdi\" id=\"block_f920e8a2fa3bb264709b222e712b00cf-job-118496\">\n\n\t<a class=\"card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/hiring-advice\/when-should-uk-fintechs-hire-their-first-company-secretary\/\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card__image-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Detail_Two-woman-in-discussion-using-laptop_iStock-694072990-1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"card__image\" alt=\"Graphic designers at work.\" sizes=\"(max-width: 481px) 100vw, (max-width: 599px) 50vw, (max-width: 1240px) 33vw, 370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Detail_Two-woman-in-discussion-using-laptop_iStock-694072990-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Detail_Two-woman-in-discussion-using-laptop_iStock-694072990-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"card__tags\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__tag\"><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"card__title\">When should UK fintechs hire their first company secretary?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<ul class=\"meta__list\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__published-date meta__item\"><span class=\"meta__item-label\">Posted<\/span> <span class=\"meta__item-value\">March 24, 2026<\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">As UK fintech&nbsp;firms&nbsp;mature&nbsp;from&nbsp;early-stage&nbsp;startups&nbsp;into regulated,&nbsp;financial services&nbsp;businesses, governance&nbsp;stops being optional and&nbsp;becomes&nbsp;a strategic necessity.&nbsp;What begins as a fast-moving technology venture quickly becomes part of a highly regulated financial ecosystem where accountability, transparency and&nbsp;oversight are essential.&nbsp; Hiring a Company Secretary&nbsp;is&nbsp;one of the most important early&nbsp;governance&nbsp;decisions&nbsp;for scaling fintech companies, as they&nbsp;assist&nbsp;the company in&nbsp;navigating&nbsp;regulatory requirements, strengthening&nbsp;corporate&nbsp;governance&nbsp;and supporting&nbsp;effective decision-making at board level. [&hellip;]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card card--post post-3217 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-australia category-moving-jobs category-uk tag-new_in-house-career-advice tag-new_law-firms-career-advice hd_author-tillyherbertsmith\" id=\"block_f920e8a2fa3bb264709b222e712b00cf-job-3217\">\n\n\t<a class=\"card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/career-advice\/moving-jobs\/living-and-working-in-australia-a-guide-for-uk-lawyers\/\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card__image-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Sydney-300x225.jpg\" class=\"card__image\" alt=\"Sydney opera house\" sizes=\"(max-width: 481px) 100vw, (max-width: 599px) 50vw, (max-width: 1240px) 33vw, 370px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Sydney-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Sydney-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Sydney-768x576.jpg 768w\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"card__tags\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__tag\"><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"card__title\">Living and working in Australia: a guide for UK and Ireland lawyers<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<ul class=\"meta__list\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"card__published-date meta__item\"><span class=\"meta__item-label\">Posted<\/span> <span class=\"meta__item-value\">February 13, 2026<\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">Are you an overseas qualified lawyer looking for a career more to Australia? Our&nbsp;experienced team&nbsp;is well-connected and expertly placed to help you relocate your career to Australia. Australia is a well-trodden path for British and Irish lawyers. For those looking for an international experience that combines a new adventure with excellent career opportunities, Australia has [&hellip;]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In November we hosted a General Counsel roundtable for 20 senior leaders in the retail and FMCG sector. During the interactive discussion, co-chaired by Dan Webster, General Counsel at Harrod, we defined the pillars that create a high performing team and what leadership qualities General Counsel need to possess. If you can create a positive, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":277,"featured_media":67481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/post-original.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cn_metabox_post_checkbox_dont_send_once":false,"_cn_metabox_post_checkbox_dont_send_ever":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[215,211,213],"tags":[],"hd_author":[621],"class_list":["post-67463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-counsel-de","category-hiring-advice-de","category-leadership-de","hd_author-georgia-morgan-wynne"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/277"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67463"},{"taxonomy":"hd_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hd_author?post=67463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}