Rolls-Royce has announced the promotion of current head of legal and commercial Mark Gregory to the role of general counsel. Mr Gregory will replace incumbent GC Robert Webb QC from January. Mr Webb, who announced his departure from Rolls-Royce last month, has served as the company's GC and head of risk since January 2012 and previously served as GC for British Airways. He will re-join Brick Court Partners in the new year as an arbitrator, predominantly in the aviation field.

Meanwhile, French digital security company Oberthur Technologies announced last week that Timothy Feely will be taking on the role of group general counsel. Mr Feeley joined OT in 2007 and has since served as the company's general counsel for the Americas, overseeing all legal aspects of OT's operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Prior to joining OT, Mr Feely served as GC for Carmen Group in the United States and earlier as a senior associate with law firm Carr, Morris and Graeff.

Communications services company Sprint has named Jorge E. Gracia as successor to outgoing general counsel Charles Wunsch. Mr Gracia will assume the position of general counsel and senior vice president from 2 January. With more than 25 years experience in corporate law, Mr Gracia joins Sprint from Samsung Electronics America Inc., where he has held the role of general counsel and senior vice president since January 2013. 

Chicago-based Jenner & Block partner Phillip L. Harris will assume the role of vice president and general counsel for Northwestern University from 1 January. Mr Harris, who himself obtained his undergraduate degree from Northwestern in 1980, will provide counsel to the president and the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, as well as directing outside counsel on all cases and issues. Mr Harris succeeds current GC Thomas G. Cline, who is retiring after 27 years with the university.

Finally, Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced on Monday the appointment of Michael J. Parini to the role of executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective from 4 January. Mr Parini joins Vertex after working for more than a decade in the global legal team of biopharmaceutical giant Pfizer, where he most recently served as senior vice president and associate general counsel. As part of the Pfizer team, Mr Parini oversaw the strategic management of Pfizer's global litigation activities, including civil, intellectual property, government and employment litigation.