Around the house

Coca-Cola European Partners has announced the hire of Clare Wardle as its new general counsel and company secretary effective from 15 July. Ms Wardle joins Coca-Cola from European home improvements company Kingfisher, where she also served as group general counsel and company secretary. She has previously held similar roles at London Underground infrastructure company Tube Lines Limited and for Post Office Limited, where she was head of legal services.

Meanwhile, British American Tobacco has selected a new legal chief to replace incumbent Benoit Belhomme. Irish lawyer Ronan Barry is assuming the role of head of legal and external affairs, as well as regional general counsel for Europe, having hitherto served as BAT’s head of corporate and regulatory affairs for Western Europe. The appointment comes after Mr Belhomme announced his retirement in April after 25 years with the company.

Deutsch Bank’s global head of strategy for legal Emma Slatter has announced that she will be departing the bank to launch her own consultancy just six months after taking on the new role. A member of the GC Power List, Ms Slatter has worked with Deutsche Bank for more than 20 years and most recently served as its UK general counsel before being appointed to the strategy role. She will remain with the bank until the end of June, with her successor as yet unannounced.

PEO and expansion advisors Globalization Partners has recruited Nancy Cremins to the role of general counsel. Ms Cremins has extensive experience working with women entrepreneurs and emerging companies, joining Globalization Partners from Boston-based law firm Gesmer Updegrove which specialises in tech-sector early-stage and emerging tech companies. Her clients at Globalization Partners will include eBay, Samsung and General Dynamics.

Finally, women’s retailer Chico’s FAS has named Susan Lanigan as its new executive vice president and general counsel. Ms Lanigan joins Chico’s FAS from variety retail chain Dollar General, where she also served as EVP and general counsel and led the company through a $7m leveraged buyout and an initial public offering. Chico’s FAS CEO Shelley Broader reports that Ms Lanigan will play a key role in the company’s strategic planning, as well as overseeing the legal function.