Team Size: 64
Major legal advisers: Addleshaw Goddard, Bristows, Clyde & Co, DAC Beachcroft, DLA Piper, Doyle Clayton, DWF, Freshfields, Pinsent Masons, Shoosmiths
 

What are the most important transactions and litigation that you have been involved in during the last year? 

Our team has been involved with several key projects and transactions in the last year including the ongoing sale of Kotsovolos, the leading electrical retailer in Greece and Currys subsidiary. We are also involved in the outsourcing of central office and IT functions. We are currently in negotiation of an outsourcing contract with Infosys, transferring colleagues in Currys’ shared services centre in Brno, Czech Republic to Infosys and the offshoring of roles to India, including employment law advice in relation to the outsourcing and the creation of a Global Business Services function to manage the relationship with Infosys. We have also recently come to an agreement with network operator, “Three” to host iD Mobile, which is the Mobile Virtual Network Operator of Currys in the UK and are in re-negotiation of a contract for the supply of post-pay mobile with Vodafone. We are also in the process of negotiating a reseller agreement underpinning the long-term supply relationship between Currys and Apple.
 

What are some of the main trends impacting the industry sector you work in in the United Kingdom? 

We anticipate continued macroeconomic pressures to weigh down on the European consumer and impact our businesses in the United Kingdom, the Nordics and the retail sector. We predict that this trend will continue into 2024 with consumer confidence remaining fragile.
 

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?  

Currys is committed to operating a responsible and sustainable business which meets the demands of our stakeholders and society, and overseeing the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda is an organisation wide and legal team priority. Currys was recently placed 8th in the Financial Times list of Europe’s Climate Leaders recognising our commitment to ESG across all our operations. We established the ESG Committee, to improve visibility and oversight of the ESG agenda and to monitor the delivery of the group’s strategy. First, to reduce the group’s impact on the environment, by achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Second, to promote circular business models through re-use, repair and recycling and third to help eradicate digital poverty by supporting organisations such as the Digital Poverty Alliance who bring technology to excluded groups. Failure to meet ESG commitments is considered one of our principal risks as this could materially impact the business’s reputation and the propensity of customers to shop with us.