Record-breaking corporate lawyer will lead probe
A LEGAL expert described as the “most famous corporate lawyer of his generation” has been appointed to lead the Government’s independent inquiry into Greensill Capital and David Cameron.
Nigel Boardman was yesterday revealed as the Cabinet Office’s choice to head the review into how Greensill secured state contracts and the actions of the former prime minister.
A non-executive board member of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Mr Boardman also chairs its audit and risk assurance committee.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “He’s done a review of Cabinet Office procurement processes, which was published in December 2020, so he seems like he is an experienced person to lead this independent review.”
The lawyer will be granted “access to the documents that he needs” in his inquiry, which is to be conducted “thoroughly” and “promptly”, No 10 said.
It remained unclear whether he would step down from his nonexecutive role on the board of the department while conducting the review.
Representing clients including Shell, Vodafone and Marks & Spencer, Mr Boardman won a record for clinching the title “best business lawyer” more times than anyone else in publisher Chambers & Partners’ annual survey.
He built a formidable reputation in the City as a senior corporate partner during a 46-year career at Slaughter and May, from which he retired in 2019 to become a senior consultant to the law firm.