Chief Legal Officer in London

Our client is a London Stock Exchange listed oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the heart of Central Asia. As a mid-cap listed entity, they operate within a dynamic regulatory environment and are undergoing a period of strategic development, including planned restructuring of their debt capital structure.

The Company benefits from a strengthened in-country legal team that manages the complexities of operating in emerging markets. They are seeking a Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary who can provide strategic oversight of the operations while focusing on the governance and compliance requirements that come with being a premium-listed public company in London.

The Role

They are seeking an experienced Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary to lead the legal and governance function at a pivotal stage of their corporate development. In this role, you will be responsible for all aspects of legal, compliance, and corporate governance, including Board secretarial duties, LSE listing compliance, oversight of their international legal operations, including support for a potential debt restructuring. This is a position of significant influence and responsibility within the organisation, reporting directly to the Board.

Key Responsibilities

• London Stock Exchange Listing Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with the UK Listing Rules, Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR), and Market Abuse Regulation (MAR).
  • Manage the Company’s ongoing obligations to the LSE, including notification requirements, regulatory communications, and annual compliance confirmations.
  • Advise the Board and senior management on securities law matters affecting the Company.
  • Oversee disclosure controls and procedures to ensure timely and accurate market communications.
• Board Secretarial Duties
  • Serve as Company Secretary with full responsibility for statutory and governance records.
  • Support the Board of Directors and its committees (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination) with agendas, papers, and secretarial administration.
  • Maintain statutory registers, minute books, and corporate records in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
  • Ensure proper corporate governance practices aligned with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Oversight of International Legal Operations
  • Provide strategic oversight of the Company’s legal team in-country, managing coordination and ensuring alignment with Group governance standards.
  • Monitor compliance with local legal and regulatory requirements in the jurisdiction of operations.
  • Liaise with in-country legal counsel on key matters affecting the Company.
  • Ensure effective communication between the Board and local legal teams on material issues.

Key Requirements

Skills & Experience

• Candidate Requirements - Essential
  • Qualification: Qualified solicitor admitted to practice in England & Wales, or equivalent legal qualification recognised in the UK.
  • Experience: Minimum 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), ideally at senior level in a law firm or in-house legal function.
  • LSE Expertise: UK Listing Rules and continuing obligations, Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR), Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), AIM or premium listing requirements.
  • Restructuring Experience: Solid experience of corporate restructuring, including debt restructuring, creditor negotiations, and schemes of arrangement.
  • Company Secretary Knowledge: Working knowledge of company secretarial duties; ICSA or CGI qualification highly advantageous.
  • Governance Acumen: Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
  • Track Record: Evidence of having successfully managed complex legal and governance matters in a senior capacity.
• Candidate Requirements - Desirable
  • Emerging Markets Background: Experience working in or advising on emerging market legal and regulatory issues.
  • Oil & Gas Sector: Experience in the energy sector or extractive industries, particularly upstream oil and gas operations.
  • In-House Background: Prior experience as General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer in a FTSE or mid-cap listed company.
  • International Operations: Experience managing legal teams across multiple jurisdictions or overseeing non-UK legal functions.
  • Restructuring Expertise: Specific experience with debt restructuring, either as advisor or in-house counsel.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic Thinker: Able to see the bigger picture and provide forward-looking legal and governance advice to the Board.
• Excellent Communicator: Capable of explaining complex legal and regulatory matters clearly to non-lawyers, including the Board and senior management.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with internal teams, external advisors, and regulators; builds strong relationships across the organisation.
• Proactive and Solution-Oriented: Anticipates issues, identifies risks, and provides practical solutions rather than purely cautionary advice.
• Organised and Detail-Oriented: Manages multiple competing priorities and complex governance processes with precision and calm.
• Commercially Minded: Understands business objectives and balances legal risk management with commercial pragmatism.
• Adaptable: Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment where priorities may shift, particularly during a corporate restructuring.

Location & Working Arrangements

Location: UK-based, with a strong preference for candidates within commutable distance of London.

Flexibility: The position status is remote working, though an expectation of periodic attendance at the London office for Board meetings and key governance events is essential.

Compensation

A competitive package commensurate with experience, qualifications, and the seniority of the role. The package will include salary, benefits, and pension contributions appropriate for a Chief Legal Officer appointment in a listed company.