speaker-photo

James Donald

SVP & Deputy General Counsel Premium Midscale and Economy Division, Accor
James is SVP & Deputy General Counsel, Premium Midscale and Economy Brands for Accor, one of the world’s largest hotel companies. He also leads Accor’s global legal operations function, and is based in Dubai, UAE. In his current role, James is responsible for developing the legal function’s strategy, delivering performance improvement initiatives and driving alignment between Accor’s regional legal teams around the world. In addition to Dubai, James has previously worked in London and Shanghai for another major hospitality operator. He has also acted as an advisor to various technology start-ups across the world. James obtained his first degree in economics and finance, before qualifying as a corporate solicitor of England and Wales in 2008 with a global law firm in London. He is a dad to twin boys and a daughter.
10.00 - 10.45 AM Panel

Thursday 12th December

Leading a Future-Ready In-House Legal Team

In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving business landscapes, in-house legal teams are under increasing pressure to be agile, innovative, and proactive. This session focuses on the real-life challenges legal leaders face as they strive to build future-ready teams capable of navigating complex regulatory environments, managing risk, and integrating cutting-edge legal technology. With insights from experienced legal executives, participants will gain practical strategies for leading their teams through digital transformation, fostering collaboration across departments, and ensuring that in-house legal functions remain not just reactive, but integral to their organizations’ strategic goals.