Regions / United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Here you will find all the latest information for the United Kingdom. This includes upcoming events, news and insights.
United Kingdom Insights and Events
The Next Wave of Impact Litigation and its Implications for the Future (MEMBER-ONLY)
This will be an insightful panel discussion on the next round of impact litigation and what this means for the future. The panel discussion will delve into the evolving landscape of impact litigation and its implications for the future.
Blended Finance in Action: Unlocking Private Capital for African Development
Join GAIL Africa and GAIL UK on the sidelines of the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA) Annual Conference for a practical, interactive panel discussion on how blended finance—combining public or philanthropic funds with private capital—can power sustainable development projects across Africa.
The 2025 GAIL Summit in Mexico City – Save the Date!
Join leading legal professionals from around the world at GAIL Summit 2025, held at the prestigious Universidad Iberoamericana in Santa Fe, Mexico City.
Long-term adaptation project offers blueprint for scalable ‘high-impact’ private sector climate funding
Multiple law firms are backing a Save the Children Global Ventures project, boosting long-term climate resilience in African tea-growing communities
The Legal Charter 1.5 Matters & Mandates working group
The Legal Charter 1.5 Matters & Mandates working group invite you to join their workshop to launch the Matter Classification Tool – a new resource for the legal sector developed by the Legal Charter 1.5
Pensions for Purpose Events: May – June 2025
One of our members, Pensions for Purpose is holding a series of events through May and June. Find out more here.

Sarah Ellington
Chair GAIL UK Board
Partner, Watson Farley & Williams
Sarah Ellington has significant and varied experience in cross-border disputes and crisis management for governments, governmental agencies and international organisations, as well as multinational corporations, particularly in relation to ESG, technology and fraud.
She helps clients obtain successful outcomes within a number of procedural frameworks including courts, arbitration, mediation, UN complaints (Special Procedure Mandates), OECD complaints to National Contact Points (Specific Instances) and private grievance mechanisms.
Sarah advises clients on risk management and governance issues associated with ESG, business and human rights and sustainability agendas, including emerging regulatory and “soft law” standards and how these interact with contractual, tortious and fiduciary duties.
She focuses on developing practical solutions in conjunction with clients, which businesses are able to implement throughout their operations without undue risk to commercial operations, or unnecessarily increasing litigation risk. This includes developing due diligence procedures and putting in place grievance redress mechanisms.
Sarah works with clients and colleagues across the globe, including across Africa, Asia and Latin America and has served on GAIL’s UK Regional Board and has represented GAIL at multiple events.

Nikesh Arya
Senior Associate , Herbert Smith Freehills
United Kingdom

Christina Bartholomew
Lawyer, co-Founder of Stories Evolved, a UK-based ESG Consultancy, Sustainability Teaching Fellow (FHEA)
United Kingdom

Fenella Chambers
Counsel Responsible Business (Pro Bono) Lawyer, Hogan Lovells
United Kingdom

Richard Gerrard
Senior Legal Counsel, AgDevCo

Jonathan Gilmour
Partner, Head of Derivatives & Structured Products, Travers Smith

Matthew Hobbs
Senior Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
United Kingdom

David Hunter
Consultant, Bates Wells

Dawda Jawara III
Deputy General Counsel, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

Lucy Johnson
Partner, Trinity International LLP
United Kingdom

Mark Kenderdine-Davies
Chief Legal Officer, British International Investment plc

Melissa Manzo
General Counsel, AgDevCo
United Kingdom

Rhian Thomas-Turner
R&D Lead, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales
United Kingdom

Frances Holliday
General Counsel, LeapFrog Investments

Naomi Sander
Senior Legal Counsel & ESG-Impact Lead, Asset Green