Head of Legal in City of London

Apollo, a Skyward Group company, is an innovation-inspired insurance platform operating at Lloyd's of London, delivering data-driven and creative solutions across a broad range of risks.

Our name reflects our origins.

Inspired by one of our founding investors, Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, the business was built with the same pioneering mindset.

Alongside Jim Hays, Neil set out to create a different kind of Lloyd's platform, focused, agile and built around people.

Since launch in 2009, we have grown into a diversified insurance group offering products across Property, Casualty, Marine, Energy and Transportation, Specialty and Reinsurance, alongside Smart Follow and digital and embedded risk programmes.

Our experience and unique ecosystem give Platform Partners the best chance of success, from navigating the Lloyd's new entrant process through to the delivery of their long-term strategy.

With a team of more than 300 professionals, we continue to grow with purpose, combining underwriting excellence, innovation and collaboration to enable a more resilient and sustainable world.

Your Role

As Head of Legal, you will lead Apollo's in-house legal function and play a key role in protecting the business as it continues to grow and evolve.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer at Skyward Group, you will be Apollo's senior legal leader, working closely with the Executive team and subsidiary boards to ensure legal and regulatory considerations are understood and factored into key business decisions.

You will build and develop a high-performing legal team, shape how legal services operate across Apollo and turn legal strategy into practical ways of working.

This is a broad and influential role, combining senior legal counsel with the opportunity to shape and develop the legal function for the future.

• What you’ll do
• Lead and develop Apollo's in-house legal team, setting clear priorities and ensuring the business receives high-quality, commercially focused legal support.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Executive team and subsidiary boards on complex legal and regulatory matters.
• Shape and develop how the legal function operates, including processes, matter management, policies, templates, technology, reporting and knowledge management.
• Lead legal support across commercial and corporate matters, including drafting and negotiating insurance, distribution, agency, outsourcing, technology and supplier agreements.
• Advise on UK insurance regulation and related requirements, including Consumer Duty, ICOBS, UK GDPR and data protection.
• Support the development and operation of effective corporate governance across Apollo.
• Oversee litigation and manage relationships with external legal advisers and specialist counsel.
• Own the legal budget and external counsel strategy, ensuring specialist support is used effectively and proportionately.
• Work closely with teams across Apollo to strengthen contracting, procurement and negotiation practices.
• What we are looking for
• A qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate in the UK or Ireland.
• Senior in-house legal leadership experience within insurance or another highly regulated financial services environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK insurance regulation, market practices and insurance distribution models.
• Strong commercial contract drafting and negotiation expertise.
• Experience of building and developing legal teams and improving how an in-house legal function operates through effective processes, technology, data and governance.
• The judgement, credibility and communication skills to advise Executive and Board-level stakeholders on complex legal and regulatory matters.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, including experience managing legal budgets, external counsel and competing priorities.
• Experience working across international jurisdictions or advising on the US insurance market would be beneficial.
• What you’ll get in return

We offer a competitive and thoughtfully designed reward package that reflects the value of our people.

This includes a fair and attractive salary, discretionary bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package - including 31 days' annual leave, a non-contributory pension and private medical insurance.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Apollo, people are at the heart of everything we do.

We are a diverse, growing team of empowered experts who bring collaboration, innovation and data-driven thinking to every relationship and every risk.

We believe diversity and inclusion go far beyond targets.

They are essential to understanding the global communities we serve and to making better decisions.

That's why we are committed to developing diverse talent at every level and creating an environment where different perspectives are genuinely valued, supported and celebrated.

We also run a programme of events, training and initiatives designed to recognise both the challenges and opportunities that come with building an inclusive workplace.

Hybrid & flexible working

Flexible and hybrid working are fully embraced at Apollo.

We do not believe in presenteeism.

Instead, we trust our people to work in ways that allow them to perform at their best, balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments.

Supporting your application

Apollo is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience where every candidate feels supported and able to perform at their best.

To help us do this, we invite you to complete a confidential Clear Talents profile.

It takes just a few minutes and allows you to share any adjustments that may support you during the recruitment process.

Your information remains private, and the recruitment team is only notified if an adjustment is requested. Please register to create your profile here: Clear Talents

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