BA counsel steps down to embark on ‘third career’

British Airways (BA) general counsel Robert Webb QC is stepping down from the role at the end of March.

A well-known figure in legal circles, Webb spent 25 years at the bar before joining BA. He sat opposite the BA when instructed by Virgin during the infamous ‘dirty tricks campaign’ in the 1990s.

After joining BA in 1998 his decade in the post most recently saw him defend the airline against price-fixing charges ;following ;a ­Department of Justice investigation in the US.

Speaking to The Lawyer, Webb said his time at BA was “thoroughly enjoyable”.

He said he was leaving to begin his “third career”, which will involve broadening his various non-executive roles, which currently include positions on the boards at the BBC and the London Stock Exchange.

Webb will be succeeded by Maria De Cunha, a ­former Lloyds of London competition lawyer.