Chief Legal Officer

Our client is a London Stock Exchange listed oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the heart of Central Asia. As a mid-cap listed entity, they operate within a dynamic regulatory environment and are undergoing a period of strategic development, including planned restructuring of their debt capital structure.

The Company benefits from a strengthened in-country legal team that manages the complexities of operating in emerging markets. They are seeking a Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary who can provide strategic oversight of the operations while focusing on the governance and compliance requirements that come with being a premium-listed public company in London.

They are seeking an experienced

Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary to lead the legal and governance function at a pivotal stage of their corporate development.

In this role, you will be responsible for all aspects of legal, compliance, and corporate governance, including Board secretarial duties, LSE listing compliance, oversight of their international legal operations, including support for a potential debt restructuring. This is a position of significant influence and responsibility within the organisation, reporting directly to the Board.

Ensure full compliance with the UK Listing Rules, Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR), and Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)

Manage the Company’s ongoing obligations to the LSE, including notification requirements, regulatory communications, and annual compliance confirmations

Advise the Board and senior management on securities law matters affecting the Company

Oversee disclosure controls and procedures to ensure timely and accurate market communications

· Serve as Company Secretary with full responsibility for statutory and governance records

Support the Board of Directors and its committees (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination) with agendas, papers, and secretarial administration

Maintain statutory registers, minute books, and corporate records in accordance with the Companies Act 2006

Ensure proper corporate governance practices aligned with the UK Corporate Governance Code

Provide strategic oversight of the Company’s legal team in-country, managing coordination and ensuring alignment with Group governance standards

Monitor compliance with local legal and regulatory requirements in the jurisdiction of operations

Liaise with in-country legal counsel on key matters affecting the Company

Ensure effective communication between the Board and local legal teams on material issues

Qualification
:
Qualified solicitor admitted to practice in England & Wales, or equivalent legal qualification recognised in the UK

Experience
:
Minimum 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), ideally at senior level in a law firm or in-house legal function

o UK Listing Rules and continuing obligations

o Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR)

o Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)

o AIM or premium listing requirements

Restructuring Experience
:
Solid experience of corporate restructuring, including debt restructuring, creditor negotiations, and schemes of arrangement

Company Secretary Knowledge
:
Working knowledge of company secretarial duties; ICSA or CGI qualification highly advantageous

Governance Acumen
:
Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and the UK Corporate Governance Code

Track Record
:
Evidence of having successfully managed complex legal and governance matters in a senior capacity

Emerging Markets Background
:
Experience working in or advising on emerging market legal and regulatory issues

Oil & Gas Sector
:
Experience in the energy sector or extractive industries, particularly upstream oil and gas operations

In-House Background
:
Prior experience as General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer in a FTSE or mid-cap listed company

International Operations
:
Experience managing legal teams across multiple jurisdictions or overseeing non-UK legal…