Lloyds Banking Group real estate counsel Lesley Wan has re-emerged at First Bank of Nigeria (FBN Bank) as general counsel.
The Lawyer reported that Wan exited the bank in May of last year after 10 years in-house. Wan joined the bank in 2006 as a corporate counsel, with responsibility for leading Lloyds’ real estate legal function.
In her new role, Wan will report to CEO Paul Cardoen and replace acting general counsel Parminder Nahl, who took the reins of the in-house practice three months ago when group general counsel Simon Nasta exited for GFG Alliance.
Wan said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this unique role and be given the opportunity to work in a vibrant culture and entrepreneurial environment where the potential for growth in these emerging markets is yet untapped.
“I’m really excited to join an organisation where, in addition to managing the legal risk, I am empowered to effect transformational change, develop talent programmes and focus on strategy and leadership to help deliver the vision of our dynamic CEO Paul Cardoen.”
Relocating to the UK from New Zealand in 1997, Wan joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a solicitor. She moved to Allen & Overy in 2000 before moving in-house in 2005 to Bayerische Landesbank. Wan joined Lloyds a year later.
Lloyds announced in March that it was to carry out another restructure of its legal team, with over 20 roles due to be cut.
The restructure comes just one year after the last overhaul, which led to job losses for junior lawyers at its London headquarters.
The exits were part of a “reorganisation” of the bank’s legal function amid wider organisational plans to cut 9,000 jobs at the bank.
There were also around 25 mid-level legal redundancies in 2015, with Lloyds head of disputes Philippa Simmons leaving the bank amid the shakeup.
