Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its regulatory practice with the return of former partner Nicola Williams to the firm’s UK practice. Nicola was most recently Legal and Compliance Director and Company Secretary at Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru Cyf).
Nicola joined Eversheds Sutherland in 2004 and was appointed partner in 2007, leading regulatory investigations and disputes for utilities clients, before joining Welsh Water a decade ago.
Throughout her time at Welsh Water, Nicola expanded the responsibilities of the company’s legal team to develop its expertise across additional regulatory and compliance functions. This included managing central compliance, integrated management systems and processes, and policy management across operational functions. Nicola also led on the development of Welsh Water’s enterprise risk management capability prior to the appointment of its first Chief Risk Officer.
Nicola has significant corporate governance and ESG experience including establishing Welsh Water’s approach to its ESG responsibilities, and devising its first report under the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework. She was also the key liaison at the company for both membership and reporting to the UN Global Compact, linking reporting under the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the goals set out in the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
Ian Gray, Executive Partner with responsibility for the firm’s client strategy, comments:
“Nicola returning to us after 10 years in industry is a major plus. She is a proven performer in high level regulatory investigations and litigation work. Coupled with her deep utilities sector knowledge, she is a fantastic rehire for the firm. She will add to our client offering immensely, and she will lead our efforts to develop our water, electricity and gas sector relationships and particularly their ESG and environmental and regulatory obligations. More widely, she will help to develop further our General Counsel relationships across the firm in the UK, US and Europe.”
Mark Davenport, Partner and Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution, comments
“Reappointing a partner of Nicola’s quality is a great coup for the firm and our clients. The utilities industry has never been under so much regulatory and environmental pressure from government and the media, and we expect this to continue for some years. Coupled with the responsibility of all utilities businesses to improve their standing as good corporate citizens, our clients across energy, financial services, TMT and government and infrastructure will all benefit from Nicola’s considerable expertise.”
Nicola Williams, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, comments:
“I’m delighted to rejoin Eversheds Sutherland and look forward to reconnecting with former colleagues and building close relationships with the firm’s lawyers and clients. My utilities experience will allow me to develop further the firm’s deep relationships with its clients. I’ll also be using the skills I’ve honed in-house to advise Boards and Executive teams on key strategic and commercial issues. It’s always a major decision to move from client-side to private practice but it’s a natural next step in my career to be able to provide governance advice and use my current knowledge to support clients on their biggest regulatory and environmental challenges.”
Nicola holds a number of external professional roles including as a trustee for Citizens Advice. She was previously a Board member for a Welsh-based charity focused on workplace equality and a member of the Wales Committee for the Equality and Human Rights Commission for a five year period.
