GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
David Eveleigh of Serco Group plc
Commentators regularly cite David Eveleigh’s “long-term strategic view” as a signature strength, and indeed this trait has been a hallmark of his most recent in-house roles at BT and, currently, Serco. In his previous position as general counsel to BT Global Services and his leadership role within the wider BT Group’s legal team, Eveleigh was credited with restructuring the legal function into a more streamlined, efficient department through a greater use of technological tools, including contracts with LPO providers and alternative legal services organisations to handle a broad spectrum of legal matters. Upon his arrival at outsourcing giant Serco in 2014, Eveleigh joined an executive team and legal department that sought to reorganise and revitalise the company following a scandal over alleged overcharging on government contracts. Following a GBP1.5 billion write-off and a thirty percent dip in share value shortly after his appointment, the company began to return to form in 2018 and surpassed its own expectations in terms of financial results, aided in part through Eveleigh and the legal department’s role in Serco’s GBP550 million rights issue and its wider corporate restructuring plan designed to refocus the company on public sector contracting work. Eveleigh’s role includes advising on Serco’s broad spectrum of commercial activities and regulatory compliance across its international business lines, which features operations in areas ranging from border security, accommodation services, air traffic control and defence.