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The Property Franchise Group
,
Basingstoke, Hampshire
General Counsel
Overview
General Counsel Basingstoke Salary: £85000 - £12000 Rapidly growing AIM listed business with plans for ongoing acquisitions. Partnering a dynamic CFO and supporting a high calibre board. About Our Client The Property Franchise Group Plc is the holding company for four trading subsidiaries with a stable of six national and regional franchisors of estate and letting agency services operating over 375 branches across the UK: Martin & Co, EweMove, Whitegates, Ellis & Co, CJ Hole and Parkers. As part of their continued expansion, now into financial services with the first acquisition completed, they are seeking an experienced solicitor to partner with the CFO. This newly created position will be tasked with delivering a best of breed legal function to support the group. With strong growth plans into 2020 and beyond this appointment will play a pivotal role in delivering the structure and framework that can make these plans possible. This opportunity will be based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Job Description Commercial Produce and develop precedents to assist the negotiation of contracts which often involve supplies to the franchise network. Participate in the negotiation of contracts giving both legal insight to the internal owner of the relationship as well as suggesting structures and commercial terms appropriate to such arrangements. Lead on changes in the law impacting the Group and franchise network so as to provide appropriate training processes and satisfactory implementation of the changes. Implement tools to ensure compliance with key legal requirements - FCA Handbook, GDPR, Money Laundering, client money protection etc. Review and update the franchise agreements to ensure compliance with changes in the law, recommendations from the Executive and changes in the commercial terms. Protect the Group through providing tools to support the pro-active management of the franchise network. Brief external solicitors, oversee their work streams and manage the costs. Ensure that guidelines and policies referred to in the franchise agreements are updated and that any communications with the network are compliant. Corporate Assist with the legal due diligence of acquisitions, oversee the timely reporting of significant matters and suggest solutions where applicable. Assist with the negotiations around acquisitions and the preparation of the final form agreements. Assist with the integration of acquisitions. Manage and liaise with Board members. Draft and present reports to the Board and Committees including a risk review. Attend all meetings of the Board and Committees producing agendas, minutes and action trackers. Ensure that all papers for the Board are supplied in a timely Board pack. Advise the Board on corporate governance matters under the AIM rules. Liaise with external advisers on AIM matters, market announcements, share options, shareholders and dividends. Undertake audits of functions to ensure compliance with the Corporate Guidelines. Ensure that appropriate insurances are maintained and updated. Prepare AGM notices and manage and undertake Companies House filings. The Successful Applicant Qualified solicitor in England and Wales Experience of working in both a B2B and B2C environment Experience of working in an FCA regulated environment. Operated at board level and supported key decision makers. Able to demonstrate the commercial management of regulatory matters for an in-house organisation. Strong communicator who has experience of influencing and persuading at a senior level. Demonstrable experience of negotiating commercial agreements. Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering training on compliance as well as producing tools to support alignment with the changes. A provider of clear, authoritative and commercially aware advice. Demonstrates an awareness of the balance between internal and external advisors. Strong organisational and time management skills. Detailed and analytical approach. A positive "can do" attitude and a supportive team player Probing and enquiring mind, prepared to challenge information received and assess its impact Proactive self-starter with strong problem-solving skills. Happy to travel across the UK to support the leadership team and franchise owners where and when needed. Ideally, experience of working for a listed company. What's on Offer As a newly created position, this opportunity will allow the successful candidate to have a strong hand in the shaping of all matters legal, compliance and regulatory. This opportunity will best suit someone who has already operated within a board structure or supported a main board. With hard work comes reward and the opportunity to share in the success of the group is built in to the package on offer. This is a fast paced and mobile business that adapts quickly to market trends and changes. You will be working with a group of impressive commercially minded professionals who clearly have an aligned vision for the group. If you feel ready to join such a group please do get in touch. All direct applicants or third party agency applicants will be forwarded to Michael Page Legal for review and assessment. Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page. Ref Code: MPTL14082279Z