About me
“The meeting of self and others, of individual, or individual institution, and the community, is probably the most complex issue of our time.” Charles Handy
I’m a business adviser and activist, with a legal background, working at the intersection of business, law and sustainability in search of the new models for organising in the 21st Century.
I spent more than 15 years as a corporate lawyer and project manager, working in the UK and overseas for large corporations.
For the last 10 years ago I have been exploring how we can encourage more healthy, responsible and sustainable approaches to business, working with businesses and charities and social enterprises of all kinds.
What I can do for you
Drawing on my background in law and business, I work with clients to:
- think differently about the structures of their business, making them work to support their goals;
- devise new structures (legal forms, processes and practices) that help embed their culture, values and purpose;
- steer them through the transition to a new structure.
A recommendation
From a friend: “Patrick asks great questions and has a vast store of wisdom built on wide experience. He has an exceptional understanding of organisational design fit for 21st century business and is a graceful man who lives out his values with great authenticity.” Mike Zeidler.
Bio
1988 – Qualified as a solicitor with law firm Hill Dickinson & Co. in the City of London.
1990 – Joined United Technologies, one of world’s largest hi-tech groups, as in-house lawyer, based in UK and then in Canada. Drafted commercial contracts and helped conclude several cross-border transactions (mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures).
1996 – Whilst on temporary assignment in St Petersburg, Russia, appointed general manager of Canadian/Russian joint venture designing aircraft engines, responsible for 70 staff.
1998 – Back in the UK, joined retailer Kingfisher plc. Helped establish major joint ventures in China, Turkey and the Czech Republic. Then lead a team negotiating the takeover of Europe’s second largest DIY retailer.
2002 – Dawning awareness of global sustainability crisis. Left Kingfisher and set up and ran a charity for round-the world sailor Ellen MacArthur.
2003 to 2005 – Self-employed, pursuing an interest in social enterprise and alternative business structures.
2006 – General counsel at Raven Russia, a property company building and owning warehouses in Russia and the Ukraine. Concluded deals worth more than $500m.
2008 to present – Became Board member and head of governance of Riversimple LLP, a ground-breaking eco-car company that aims to transform the auto industry. Led the development of a ground-breaking governance structure designed to embed a triple bottom line (people, profit, planet) approach into the business.
2010 to present – adviser to small businesses and start-ups.
Other
I am a director of Working in Trust, a charity that promotes a hybrid type of business structure designed to encourage more responsibility, compassion and freedom in business.
I am on the board of Riversimple, an eco-car company.
I am a trustee of two charities, the Earth Community Trust and the ETA Trust (charitable arm of Environmental Transport Association) and a director of New Forest Festival CIC
I make really good sourdough bread.
I speak good French and decent Russian and German.
I live in the New Forest with my wife and son and a vegetable patch and two chickens.
And thanks to Shawn Ballantine for the photo of me.
