Balfour wins SABMiller in-houser for GC role
Construction and utility giant Balfour Beatty has snared SABMiller deputy general counsel Chris Vaughan to take on the newly created post of general counsel.
The London-based position, which will report to chief executive Ian Tyler, was created by management in light of an increasingly "demanding" regulatory environment.
Tyler said: "Chris will help determine and direct strategy in respect of how we operate in this [regulatory] environment."
Balfour Beatty head of legal services Frank McCormack and company secretary Chris Pearson will now report to Vaughan, although Pearson remains responsible for board matters.
Vaughan will have his hands full after Tyler's announcement that the group is seeking opportunities in the gas, electricity and water markets in areas across the UK where the company does not already operate.
The group has also acquired construction trader Cowlin Group last August and has announced the £33m acquisition of facilities management company Covion.
The group has used Linklaters, which advised on the Cowlin purchase, Pinsent Masons, Beachcroft, and Wragge & Co in past transactions.
Vaughan's post at SABMiller was filled by Lovells corporate partner Stephen Jones in July, as reported on www.the lawyer.com (2 July).
