Lattice takes on legal head from ABF

Stephen Bentzien, from Associated British Foods, will replace Angeline Swift when she retires from the role at the end of the year.
Lattice Property is responsible for the regeneration and disposal of an extensive portfolio of decommissioned gas works sites. Bentzien will become chief lawyer for the operation and will coordinate the legal panel, made up of some 20 firms, which includes many regional players in order to cater for the portfolio's UK spread. The property panel is separate from the group's smaller panel, but there is an overlap between the two.
Patrick Somers, group general counsel, said: "Angeline has over the years managed the panel and makes sure they're providing value for money. That's worked very efficiently. We saw some very good people for the role. It was about getting the right balance. We were looking for the right mixture of property and environmental experience."
Bentzien was in-house at British Foods for six years. He was responsible for property sales and disposals, funding arrangements and environmental matters. Prior to that, he was at construction company John Mowlam & Co.
Each of Lattice's eight businesses has its own dedicated lawyer. They in turn form part of the 33-strong team of lawyers run by Somers.