GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
Clare Wardle of Coca-Cola European Partners
Coca-Cola European Partners, the product of a merger between three Europe-based Coca-Cola bottling businesses, was only two months old when Clare Wardle was appointed general counsel in July 2016. Among her many challenges included the integration and management of the combined legal function, alongside additional regulatory and commercial issues raised by the merger. Wardle, however, is no stranger to complexity, having held general counsel roles at Kingfisher, where she advised on the home improvement retailer’s expansion into Romania, and at Tube Lines, the company responsible for GBP28 billion in infrastructure investments into London Underground, alongside senior in-house positions within Royal Mail and the Post Office. Wardle earns added plaudits for her commitment to diversity and inclusion issues, having played a key role in the launch of the Kingfisher Women’s Network at her prior employer and serving on the diversity council at CCEP. Outside of her work, Wardle also serves in key leadership positions in the sporting world, having been appointed as chair of Basketball England for a three-year term in 2016 and also serving on the board of Pentathlon GB, the national governing body for the sport in Great Britain.