Taylor Root
General Counsel (12 month FTC) - Retail
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Location: Central London (Hybrid)
Contract/Interim: Fixed-Term (12 Months) - Ideally starting in September 2026
Function: Corporate Services
Reporting Line: Executive Leadership Team & Board
Level: Senior Leadership
About the Organisation
Our client is a fast-growing retail and consumer business with a strong presence across the UK. Known for its customer-first approach and entrepreneurial culture, the organisation continues to invest in innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
The business offers a collaborative and ambitious environment where experienced professionals can make a visible impact, influence strategic decisions, and contribute to the next phase of growth.
The Opportunity
A well-established consumer-facing retail organisation is seeking an experienced legal leader to oversee its legal and governance activities during a period of continued growth and transformation.
This role offers broad exposure across commercial operations, regulatory matters, governance, employee relations, digital innovation, and strategic business initiatives. The successful candidate will act as a key advisor to senior leadership while leading a small in-house legal function.
You will combine strategic oversight with practical delivery, partnering closely with stakeholders across the business to support commercial objectives while maintaining appropriate governance and risk management frameworks.
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This would suit a highly experienced Head of Legal or General Counsel with broad leadership experience with the ability to run day-to-day legal matters alongside the team.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Leadership & Strategy
- Lead, coach, and develop the in-house legal team.
- Shape and deliver the legal function's priorities in alignment with wider business objectives.
- Act as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
- Support organisational decision-making with pragmatic, risk-based guidance.
Commercial & Operational Support
- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements.
- Provide legal support across supplier, customer, and strategic partnership arrangements.
- Advise on business initiatives, change programmes, and expansion activities.
- Develop and maintain legal templates and standard documentation.
Governance, Compliance & Risk
- Oversee corporate governance and company secretarial activities.
- Manage legal compliance obligations across multiple operational areas.
- Monitor emerging legislation and regulatory developments.
- Design and deliver training and awareness programmes for internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate relationships with external legal advisors and manage associated budgets.
Specialist Legal Areas
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- Support matters relating to employment law, consumer regulations, data privacy, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.
- Provide guidance regarding evolving technology risks, including digital innovation and AI-related considerations.
- Maintain and strengthen policies, controls, and legal processes across the organisation.
About You
We are interested in speaking with applicants who can demonstrate:
- Qualification as a solicitor, barrister, or equivalent legal professional.
- Significant post-qualification experience gained in-house and/or private practice.
- Previous experience leading or managing an internal legal function.
- Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement in balancing risk with business opportunity.
- Ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and boards.
- Experience operating within a multi-site retail, hospitality, consumer, or product-based business environment.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A collaborative, solutions-focused approach to leadership.
Desirable
- Exposure to international operations.
- Experience supporting franchised, licensed, or distributed business models.
- Knowledge of property-related matters within a retail estate.
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