About

Bruce McAlister joined GE in 2000 as senior counsel for Europe, Middle East and Africa and has since assumed various positions within the company supporting the GE Aviation Division. In his current position as general counsel he is responsible for all legal, regulatory and compliance matters arising from the operating businesses in the energy, oil and has, aviation, healthcare and transportation sectors, across all emerging and developing regions, including members in Asia. In this capacity McAlister leads a global team consisting of a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers, compliance professionals and contract managers. Amongst his most recognised achievements, McAlister recently led the legal in the acquisition of Avio’s aerospace business in a cross-border transaction valued at USD5.8bn. McAlister has proven himself as an exceptional leader, leading complex cross-border international transaction and leading a compliance organisation tasked with the implementation, maintenance and investigations of GE’S corporate compliance and ethics policy. He offers the following advice to GCs and other corporate counsel looking to reach the same heights he has: ‘My advice to another general counsel or in-house lawyer would be that it is fundamental to understand the business, it’s products, services and financial position completely in order to provide holistic service. At the same time, it is imperative to develop and foster close relationships with the CEO, the board and senior leadership akin to that of a “trusted advisor”, so that you are part of the team and actively sought out to deal with each challenge facing the company. In order to deliver on your mandate for the provision of legal and compliance services, I would strongly recommend that you hire the best locally qualified resources in each jurisdiction, as their knowledge of the legal environment, and the risk profiles of the company operating in that country, will give you a far more expedite service to the business and its transactions. Lastly, continuously look out for that risk, regulatory challenge or threat that could face the business’.