Alumni News

James Lambert (London Senior Economist until 2014) joined London Gatwick as Head of Economics and Regulation in June. James has enjoyed a variety of roles since leaving Ashurst, including Deputy Director of COVID-19 analysis at the UK Department of Health and Social Care and Co-Chair of the Cross Government Social Mobility Network at the Civil Service. James joins London Gatwick after serving eight years as a Director at the Competition and Markets Authority. He is also a Board member of the Royal British Legion, supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

Congratulations on your new roles James! What excites you most about your position at London Gatwick?

I have a passion for aviation and worked on airline and airport cases whenever the opportunities arose at Ashurst and the CMA – so I am excited to be joining the sector! The role is a great opportunity to apply economics to challenging regulatory issues which span key areas of the business, including aeronautical charges, service quality and investment. Having been an adviser and a regulator, it is fascinating to have the opportunity to work in-house. I also enjoy the fast-paced operational environment and the international dimension of a business serving over 200 destinations.

What are the biggest challenges on your horizon?

We are working to secure our next regulatory settlement with the Civil Aviation Authority from March 2025, which will cover the ceiling on our aeronautical charges, service standards and capital investment. It comes at a pivotal time for the business as the Planning Inspectorate prepares to examine our application to bring our northern runway into routine use alongside our main runway – a £2.2bn privately financed plan which would enable us to serve 75 million passengers a year by the late 2030s.

We are also working to deliver a refreshed capital investment programme focusing on service, capacity and airfield resilience, while accelerating our plans to reach net zero by 2030. In addition, we are working hard to win airline business to secure traffic recovery, particularly in the off-peak where long-haul and business travel is taking longer to recover from the pandemic.

Please tell us a bit about your work at the Royal British Legion.

I am a member of the Board of Trustees, which is collectively responsible for guiding the organisation’s strategy – ensuring it is meeting the needs of Armed Forces personnel past and present and their families; fulfilling its responsibility to the nation to ensure that service and sacrifice is never forgotten; and providing good governance of its activities and resources. I also sit on the audit and risk committee and the care services committee.

Trustees are legally accountable and can be held personally liable for the decisions and actions of the charity and for its compliance with charity law and other applicable laws and regulations. We spend a significant amount of time reading and considering reports, as well as participating in six Board meetings per year with fellow Trustees and the Executive Management. We also represent the Royal British Legion at key events, including the Festival of Remembrance and Cenotaph Ceremony and Parade. Throughout the year we engage with a range of constituents, including beneficiaries, members, volunteers and staff.

What advice would you give your fellow alumni looking to be appointed to a Board position?

Becoming a Board Trustee is a great way to use your skills to help others and offers significant development opportunities. For those in their first Board position, it is an excellent opportunity to understand how a Board operates and interacts with the Executive Management. I recommend finding an organisation that you care about and contacting some current or former trustees to learn more about the role and its challenges. I would not be put off if you are currently working full or part time or are already on other Boards, but I would recommend taking the time to explore how the role could fit alongside your existing commitments – many organisations are keen to recruit new talent and will be supportive. Many of the skills learnt as a trustee on a charity board will be relevant to both private and public sector board opportunities.

Huge congratulations to Senior People & Culture Business partner Amy Petherbridge, and Ashurst partner Martyn Rogers who got married in July!

Amy and Martyn joined the London office in 1998. They were delighted to welcome a number of Ashurst alumni to their wedding celebration.

Pictured from left to right - Graeme Hare, Nicola Shipley, Amy Rogers, Stuart Walker, Janet Prior (née Bruton), Emma Stephenson, Shelley Holmes

Congratulations to Antony Greenwood AM (Melbourne Consultant until 2016) who was made a Member of the Order of Australia award for significant service to the Anglican Church, and governance and legal advisory organisations.

Congratulations, Antony. How did it feel to be recognised?

The award was an unexpected pleasant surprise. BDW/Ashurst contributed to the award by encouraging me to serve on committees of the Law Institute Victoria, Law Council of Australia, Business Council of Australia, Melbourne University Law School Corporate Law faculty, Victoria University Audit & Risk Committee, and as a director of The Salvation Army's Employment Plus service, consultant to PR China for securities regulation, and pro bono adviser to the firm's clients Worawa Aboriginal College and International Specialised Skills Institute.

James Prescott (London Resources and Utilities Solicitor until 2018) was recently appointed as Counsel, Business Development and Regions, Corporates and Solutions at BP. James was previously Senior Counsel at Chinese energy company, CNOOC International.

Congratulations on your new role James! What are you responsible for?

My role in BP’s Business Development and RC&S legal team is to provide legal support to various groups across BP's gas and low-carbon and RC&S businesses (including hydrogen, CCS, offshore and onshore wind), focusing on M&A, joint ventures and new business opportunities.

What excites you most about this role?

The opportunity to be part of a skilled and talented team which is focused on growing and developing the energy projects of the future and which is integral to BP's strategy of becoming an integrated energy company.

What is the biggest challenge facing the energy sector this year?

I think navigating the dual challenge of balancing energy security against the push for low-carbon energy will be the biggest challenge facing the sector this year and for years to come, particularly in a world where low-carbon energy markets and regulatory environments are either evolving from scratch or moving at different speeds across different regions.

What is the best career advice you've been given?

Always aim to perform at a level above your current grade, build your network and put yourself out of your comfort zone. All very clichéd but this has helped me to develop, progress and build strong and trusted relationships.

Ashurst's Tim West, Charlie Reid and Claire Fourel were delighted to welcome their fellow 2008 trainees to a reunion dinner in the London office on Wednesday 11 October. A most enjoyable evening was had by all!

Ashurst Partner Tim West said, "It was fantastic to reconnect with former colleagues and reminisce about old times, 15 years after we all started with the firm. Everyone had a great time, and it goes to show the value of hosting these sorts of reunion events. I look forward to the next one!".

Ashurst Counsel Charlie Reid said, "The dinner was a fabulous way to re-establish connections, share stories and find new cross-overs and opportunities. Incredibly, no one had aged!".