Helen Astle, MBA, LLM, FCG

Governance consultant

Helen is an accomplished executive level general counsel / lawyer, governance professional and board director, reflecting a broad and resourceful skill set.

Fractional General Counsel and Co-Sec On-Demand, Legal and Regulatory Services, Governance Gap Analysis, Legal and Governance Projects, Coaching and Training, Governance Frameworks, Board Evaluation, Merger Integration, Subsidiary Governance

Experience

Helen has held executive and senior legal and governance roles across financial services, healthcare, and housing and has also run her own interim executive
management legal and governance consultancy. Her career highlights include serving as the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA), advising on legal, regulatory compliance, governance, and ESG matters. At Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI), Helen led company secretarial services and advised on legal and governance issues, including implementing the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). She was also engaged by BNY Mellon for a critical legal project.
Additionally, Helen is a Non-Executive Director at CILEX Regulation Limited, where she is the board lead for governance and enforcement, and she is also a Trustee Board Director of a multi-billion-pound pension trust overseeing its pension schemes. Helen is a solicitor, Chartered Governance Professional, and holds an MBA, Master of Laws in Corporate Governance and Law, and an ICA Diploma in Compliance.

Service Areas

Fractional General Counsel and Co-Sec On-Demand

Helen offers flexible, on-demand services as an in-house General Counsel and Company Secretary, drawing on years of experience supporting and advising boards. With a deep understanding of governance and regulatory compliance, she seamlessly integrates into organisations to ensure efficient legal and governance operations. Whether stepping into an interim role or providing ongoing support, Helen delivers pragmatic solutions and acts as a trusted advisor, helping teams manage legal risks, governance processes, and regulatory challenges with clarity and confidence.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

Helen specialises in providing tailored services to help organisations navigate complex compliance landscapes. With extensive experience across regulated sectors, she offers actionable guidance on regulatory compliance, risk management and framework development and monitoring plans. Helen ensures that clients address their regulatory obligations while minimising risks and maintaining robust compliance systems in line with sector regulations.

Governance Gap Analysis

Helen has a keen eye for identifying governance gaps that can impact an organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness. Through detailed assessments and reviews, she helps organisations enhance their governance structures and processes. From board operations to risk management, Helen offers actionable insights to close these gaps, enabling organisations to better align with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
Helen can advise on compliance with codes of governance and provide the supporting documentation for good governance – policies, terms of reference etc.

Legal and Governance Projects

Helen leads and manages complex legal and governance projects, guiding organisations through major initiatives like corporate restructures, mergers, and implementing regulatory compliance frameworks. With a focus on strategic alignment and compliance, she ensures the smooth implementation of projects, from risk management to governance integration. Her results-driven approach supports organisations in navigating legal complexities while building resilient and compliant governance structures. Additional areas offered: legal documentation, corporate policies, investigations and improvement plans.

Governance Gap Analysis

Helen designs and implements governance frameworks that drive performance, compliance, and transparency. With a focus on practical implementation, she ensures these frameworks are tailored to meet specific organisational needs and regulatory requirements. Helen helps organisations strengthen their governance structures, ensuring they are both effective and adaptable to changing legal and regulatory landscapes.

Board Evaluation

Helen leads board evaluations with a focus on improving governance effectiveness and organisational performance. By conducting comprehensive reviews, she provides actionable recommendations that enhance decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and compliance practices. Her expertise in board dynamics also extends to assessing behavioural elements and facilitating improvements in boardroom culture, helping boards work more cohesively and strategically.

Merger Integration

Helen guides organisations through the complexities of merger integration, ensuring seamless transitions in governance, legal, and regulatory frameworks. She brings expertise in aligning organisational structures, legal entities, and governance policies to optimise post-merger integration. Her work focuses on managing risk, ensuring compliance, and aligning strategic objectives, so organisations can fully realise the potential of their mergers and acquisitions.

Subsidiary Governance

Helen provides expert advice on subsidiary governance and legal entity management, ensuring subsidiaries align with parent company policies while meeting legal and regulatory requirements. She supports the structuring of subsidiary boards, governance frameworks, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring consistency and transparency. With experience in corporate restructures, acquisitions, and cross-border entity management, Helen helps organisations streamline governance practices, mitigate risks, and ensure efficient subsidiary operations.

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