RBS takes on ex-C&W counsel as projects head

Cable & Wireless’s (C&W) former associate general counsel has resurfaced at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

John Whitehead, who parted company with C&W last summer, joined RBS as head of projects earlier this month. It is believed that in his new role Whitehead will be responsible for managing the RBS legal panel. He will report to the bank’s director of group legal services Mark Chidley.

RBS concluded its highly unpopular online tender in November 2003 for its new group legal panel. The exercise resulted in a number of sub-panels, including a transactional panel for deals valued at £100m and over. The firms that secured places on the coveted panel included Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith and Linklaters.

The new panels, which came into force on 3 November 2003, will remain in place for just under two more years.

While at C&W, Whitehead managed the 32-lawyer team that provided legal services to the company’s UK, Continental Europe and US businesses.

Whitehead and RBS declined to comment.