Chris Seel Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

London, United Kingdom

Diversity and Inclusion Adviser, leading on LGBT+ issues as well as supporting and working on all issues across the D&I agenda. The Law Society is completely redesigning the way it works in this area, focusing both internally and externally on how to support members throughout the profession.

London, United Kingdom

Innovation Partner on the executive board running the 220 member/£30m turnover Real Estate Team, and part of the wider Commercial Services Leadership Team. I actively contributed on general management, financial, HR, business development and planning issues; and my Innovation initiatives had a direct impact on gross margin and team engagement. I played a fundamental role in successfully setting up the London Real Estate Team, with particular responsibility for HR issues.On the diversity and inclusion front I co-led the LGBT strand of the Diversity Steering Group, formulated an annual action plan and worked closely with other strands; in addition to successful work on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.In dealing with a heavy workload and wide variety of property matters I set up and managed multi-office/discipline teams dealing with work for various education, local government, oil and gas and energy clients; led teams of 10-15 people acquiring 25-30 property portfolios within short timescales; and led and participated in pitches for new work.

I was constantly involved in firm wide management issues - in particular I was a member of the firm's Blue Sky Thinking Committee; was a regular consultee/participant in managment and HR initiatives; and dealt with the firm's own premises work. I was on the firm's Graduate Panel and determined policy, advised central management and assessed graduates. As Secretarial Partner I was on the steering group for the wholesale re-organisation and part outsourcing of the firm's entire secretarial function; advised on firm wide initiatives and dealt with numerous issues within Real Estate.On diversity and inclusion I arranged for the firm to be one of the first hosts of an event for Freehold, the networking group for LGBT professionals in the property industry; and advised the firm on diversity and LGBT issues.As a key member of the London Real Estate Team I assumed responsibility for 'people issues'; led on know how and raining, including managing the budget; as well as dealing with general firm/group budgeting, accounting, financial and business matters.I advised on a wide variety of property matters and acted for owners, developers and occupiers on sales and acquisitions, development and management matters. Lead role on commercial and real estate work on projects in the education, street lighting, defence and utilities sectors.Client relationship Partner for a number of clients, and lead multi-discipline and real estate teams on transactions.

Member and then leader of the Working Environment Committee, advising the firm on the concerns of legal and support staff.Advising on a wide variety of property matters - acting for owners, developers and occupiers on sales and acquisitions, development and management matters. Member of client service teams. Real estate work and supporting commercial role on projects in the education and health sectors.

Six months in each of:Property litigationPropertyEmploymentMatrimonial