Legal Life In Lockdown: A Telecoms GC On Starting His New Role Remotely

Paul Barrett joined London-listed telecoms company Helios Towers as its general counsel and company secretary on April 1, 2020.

Starting such a role just as Helios starts its journey as a listed company and amid a global pandemic was not without its challenges. Here he talks about what it was like taking it all on remotely and offers advice to others who may be in similar positions.

How has it been starting a general counsel role remotely? 

It’s a bit strange leaving one job in your study and then starting another in exactly the same place! Fortunately, I know Helios well as I performed the role on an interim basis a couple of years ago, which turns out to have been a major blessing given COVID-19.

What are some of the challenges of a remote start?

Getting to know people and making sure the technology, business processes and people work together well and can support often complex transactions and issues.

What advice do you give to lawyers starting remotely?

Put a plan together that ensures you get to know the business and key stakeholders well. Talk to your team regularly to make sure they are okay and to understand what they are working on.

Being busy helps: Helios remotely executed an M&A transaction in South Africa in May 2020.

Describe your home workspace in three words.

Comfortable, organised…busy!

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on a video call? 

Nothing too dramatic fortunately, although like many people I start to speak whilst still on mute.

What time do you tend to start your day, take lunch and finish up? How many times a day are you interrupted by pets/ spouses/ children?

I start about 8.15am, lunch is whenever the dog needs to go out and I tend to finish around 6.30/7pm.

No real interruptions from family, I have teenage children so it’s difficult to get them out of their bedrooms!

Background music or silence?

Silence.

Video calls or phone calls?

A bit of both. It really depends on who I’m talking to, where they are based and the bandwidth available to support video.

How are you spending your weekends? Is there a Netflix/book recommendation you’d share or a new hobby you’ve taken up?   

Making the most of my exercise allowance, cooking, reading and taking part in online quizzes with family and friends – isn’t that everybody’s lockdown hobby?

What’s the first thing you’ll do when the lockdown is lifted?

Have a big party for family and friends.

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