Reuters’ redundancy programme has seen general counsel Stephen Mitchell lose his job just one month after his deputy Andrew Garard departed for the top job at Cable & Wireless.
Former Rowe & Maw partner and Reuters company secretary Rosemary Martin will become general counsel and remain company secretary.
In an internal email seen by The Lawyer, CEO Tom Glover said: “We’re making 3,000 staff redundant… I don’t feel it right for senior management to remain immune.”
The turmoil at Reuters has resulted in a streamlining of the legal function. “It’s part of the Fast Forward programme that’s affecting every part of the company,” said a Reuters spokesperson.
Martin joins Reuters’ group management committee, which reports to the CEO and which is responsible for the day-to-day management.
In addition to combining the offices of general counsel and company secretary, Martin will be responsible for the risk management office.
She is to review the organisation of the 60-lawyer legal department, which may yet see more casualties.
Mitchell leaves at the end of September.