Description Footasylum is a leading UK-based retailer specialising in streetwear and sportswear, committed to delivering innovative and trend‑setting products to our customers, with a strong focus on digital transformation and data‑driven decision‑making.
The role We are looking for a General Counsel to be the senior legal leader for Footasylum, responsible for overseeing all legal, governance, and compliance across the business. Operating as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team and Board, the role supports Footasylum's commercial objectives while managing legal risk across retail operations, e‑commerce, supply chain, brand protection, and international growth. This role blends strategic counsel with hands‑on leadership in a fast‑paced, consumer‑focused retail environment.
This is not a remote role; you will be based in Greater Manchester with hybrid attendance at Head Office.
Responsibilities We are looking for someone who embodies the Footasylum values - Collaboration, Communication & Challenge.
Lead corporate governance for Footasylum, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and shareholder requirements.
Act as principal legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board.
Identify, manage and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across the business.
Provide pragmatic, commercial legal advice aligned to Footasylum's growth and brand strategy.
Support major strategic initiatives including store expansion, partnerships, acquisitions, and international development.
Embed legal insight early into business planning and decision making.
Oversee Board processes, including resolutions, policies, and reporting.
Maintain effective risk management frameworks and legal controls.
Lead legal support for UK and international retail operations, including store leases, property matters, and landlord negotiation.
Advise on consumer law, pricing, promotions, returns, and customer complaints.
Draft, negotiate and manage high‑value commercial contracts (suppliers, distributors, logistics, technology, sponsorships).
Support e‑commerce operations, digital platforms, and omnichannel trading.
Protect and manage Footasylum's intellectual property, including trademarks, branding, and licensing.
Advise marketing and brand teams on advertising standards, influencer partnerships, sponsorships, and promotions.
Manage brand risk and reputational issues.
Ensure compliance with data protection (GDPR), competition law, modern slavery, ESG and sustainability obligations.
Oversee regulatory relationships and responses where required.
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting the retail and consumer landscape.
Lead development and mentoring of the in‑house legal team, including personally overseeing an SQE candidate completing their QWE and certifying such steps with the SRA.
Manage external legal advisers, controlling quality, cost, and risk.
Deliver efficient, scalable legal processes appropriate for a high‑growth retail business.
Skills & Experience Required
Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with significant post‑qualification experience (8 years minimum).
Strong background in retail, consumer, fashion, or FMCG environments (in‑house or top tier private practice).
Proven experience advising senior leadership and Boards.
Commercial, pragmatic mindset with the ability to balance risk and opportunity.
Expertise in commercial contracts, retail law, consumer law, and corporate governance.
Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills.
Comfortable operating in a fast‑moving, brand‑driven environment.
Why Footasylum? We are one of the leading omni‑channel retailers across the UK, but more than that we are a brilliant place to work. We value you and your development. We have loads of examples of people moving upwards, across to other departments and given training to excel their personal and professional skills. Our aim is to create a fun environment, where your success is paramount to ours and you are given the right tools, support and platform to achieve your goals.
Diversity We recognise and value the importance of diversity to help make sure we have lots of different perspectives when we are building services to customers and the wider business. This is great news for our business. Diversity for us is also, importantly, about building happy teams full of people that want to learn and want to be inspired by each other and our different experiences and backgrounds.
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