Page 12 - CCCA Magazine Winter 2017

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Kenny Robertson

n the other side of the pond, Kenny Robertson has “I try to do my
followed a similar career path. Out of law school,
ohe joined a private frm in Glasgow, Scotland, best because I
before moving in-house at a software company a few
years later, still in Glasgow. identify with that.”
In this frst in-house position, Kenny was a depart-
ment of one, which meant he was “everything” and had
to learn fast. In his frst month, he was told he had to fre judgment,” he says. And people come to his team “not
some employees because “you are the lawyer.” Intimidat- just for our legal skills,” but also because they are business
ing perhaps, but “it was a good experience for me,” he advisors. “We are here to support them because we are on
refects, as it forced him to jump into the deep end and the same team.”
start swimming. Working together as one team is in fact one of the
Although he gained a solid foundation from his time values at RBS. This closely aligns with Kenny’s own
in private practice—“There is a lot of value in the work values, along with doing the right thing and thinking
ethic, standards and professionalism instilled in you long term. He is constantly thinking about how he can
[there]”—he loves working in-house: “It is much more help his bigger community of legal professionals. For
suited to me. You get to really get your hands into things.” example, he wonders what if there was a policy that
After just over two years in that position, it was time frm lawyers are not paid if they work past 7pm. “RBS’s
for a change again. He and his wife bought a house in external legal spend is very large,” he says. “We can in-
Edinburgh and the commute was wearing thin. He went fuence change.” And as a group, he adds, the big banks
to work as Legal Counsel at the Royal Bank of Scotland could really help shape the legal profession and culture.
(RBS), a large international banking and fnancial ser- His upbringing helped shape this broader outlook.
vices company, where he has stayed for over 11 years. Growing up in Paisley, close to Glasgow—“a town that
“I joined at the bottom of the ladder at RBS; I was has its deprived and disadvantaged areas”—his mother
the bottom of the food chain in my team.” But he was saved for him to go to a private secondary school to
determined, explaining, “When I started [at RBS], I support his education. Then in law school, he volun-
thought I could do more than I was: ‘I am not where I teered at a law centre, where he was exposed to the real
want to be— how do I get to where I want to be?’” world with its very real problems.
He found his role models and engaged in the right “I am grateful. I take nothing for granted,” he says. “I
pieces of work. He also always tried to be a role model, try to do my best because I identify with that.”
someone people thought of who could solve problems. The right thing to do as we look to the future of
And in under seven years, he made it to the top, be- law—and how we can infuence it—is only one of the
coming Head of Services for RBS Legal in 2013. many things he hopes to hear about when he comes
In his current role, Kenny handles the bank’s big to Canada next spring to co-chair the National Con-
outsourcing arrangements with tier-one suppliers, and ference and ICW Summit. (Scotland is the newest
gives transaction and strategic advice in relation to member of ICW.) The themes of legal innovation, in-
bank-wide restructuring programs. He also provides ternational business and increasing legal’s profle are
extensive support to the bank’s technology, payments also appealing.
and fntech initiatives, and works closely with the bank's “I have never been to Canada. I’m really excited
innovation hub. He does not do it alone, of course—he about it! I’m interested in sharing views, and keen to
has a 20-person team under him, with lawyers in Scot- share best practices,” Kenny says. As in the past, he will
land and England, as well as India and Poland. learn “from a lot of good people.” ❚
It’s satisfying work but he is equally proud of the repu-
tation he has built for himself and his team. “I like the
fact that people will come to me because they trust my Lynne Yryku is the Executive Editor of CCCA Magazine.

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