Vernalis unveils new counsel
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Biotech research company Vernalis has promoted in-house lawyer Alison Hood to general counsel and company secretary.
Hood replaces former general counsel and chief operating officer (COO) John Slater, who left Vernalis at the end of September. It is not yet known where Slater has moved on to.
Hood joined the group in 2007 from pharmaceuticals company Celltech, where she was assistant general counsel.
Vernalis CEO Ian Garland said: “She’s perfect for our organisation because she trained as a biochemist at university before training to be a lawyer.
“This is extremely valuable experience for us.”
Hood joined Addleshaw Goddard legacy firm Theordore Goddard in 1995 as a trainee in the IP group before joining Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in 1997.
The Vernalis legal function has a three-strong team, including Hood. During Slater’s tenure the general counsel and COO roles were combined.
Vernalis has decided not to replace Slater with a new COO.
