Alumni Matters 2023:
Introduction with Adrian Clough

It falls to me to welcome you all to the 2023 edition of Alumni Matters, and to thank those across the HSF network, particularly my colleagues Kym Somers and Olivia Troop, who have brought us such an absorbing collection of new alumni stories.

This year’s introduction must start on a sad note, and pay tribute to my predecessor, John Farr, who died this year after a short battle with cancer. He has been taken from us far too early. John was a hugely respected litigation and employment partner in London, and subsequently the inspiration behind the development of our thriving alumni network. He was also a great person to be around, and those who knew him will remember him with affection. His obituary appears on page 52 of the magazine. John’s memorial service in Kew in October was a fitting tribute and drew a huge turnout of former colleagues from the firm.

Hear their views in the roundtable. Their conclusion? Much change is happening, although perhaps not as fast as we would like.

It is often said that data is the new oil, the management and protection of which is increasingly important to how business operates. Control of data is also vital in helping First Nations peoples in Australia, Canada and elsewhere tell their own stories and eradicate centuries-old discrimination, as Barbie-Lee Kirby explains.

It is not only climate change and data management impacting business; companies face challenges from multiple directions – greater regulation, focus on corporate governance, activist shareholders, not to mention the volatility of the global economy. That has led to a spotlight on the general counsel role. We spoke to two GCs (Henrietta Rowe and Minchu Wang) working in different sectors (healthcare and private equity) to see how they are responding – and thriving.

Similarly, the role of non-executive directors has become more critical in recent years. Lawyers and former lawyers can play a very valuable role as board members, as much for their expertise in risk management as their legal background, as Carol Shutkever and Selina Lightfoot explain.

What about the regulators? It is all too easy to assume that regulators have little regard to the impact of new regulations and are merciless enforcers. The truth is far more nuanced, as we hear from Tim Parkes, former longstanding partner and now chair of the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulatory Decisions Committee.

As well as their contribution to boards, lawyers and our former business services staff are bringing their experience and knowledge to bear in new businesses. In this issue we hear from Michelle Ridsdale and Alex Cook, who have each started a healthcare-related business.

Alumni Matters strives to bring our readers up to date with important firm developments. This issue, we report on the excellent progress of the firm’s Alternative Legal Services (ALT) offering. Reflecting clients’ desire for their law firms to deliver efficient, technologically focused services, ALT is busy meeting that demand. Nicola Heaney describes how her involvement in ALT in the Belfast office has helped set up in her subsequent career.

ALT aside, former partner Scott Cochrane says that from a client’s vantage point, law firms could and should be doing more to harness the technology potential in their services.

It is always gratifying when our people return to the firm after working elsewhere, and we are interested to know what draws them back, finding out what they have done while away from the firm, what they have learned and how their experience enriches the firm (Jon Ford and Heather Kelly).

I’m happy to say that our various reunion events are now all back up and running and we hope to see many of you at the events scheduled for the coming year. Make sure we have your up-to-date contact details. Part of John’s legacy is that the alumni network should not only be useful but also fun, so do come along to enjoy the company of old friends and perhaps make some new ones. Photos from this year’s events can be found here.

One final request from me. By necessity, given data privacy laws, the alumni network is an “opt in” association which requires people to register. If you encounter fellow HSF alumni who have yet to register, do please encourage them to do so, so that we can keep in touch and include them in our activities. It can be done in a few clicks on the firm’s Alumni website.

Wishing you and your families health, happiness and success over the year ahead.