The Hot 100 career quiz: Which? GC Charmian Averty

What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?

I had a major incident with coffee and a bundle of signed documents. The client’s hard copy transaction bible was swiftly upgraded to a CD-ROM.

What is the thing in your professional career that has terrified you or taken you out of your comfort zone the most?

In 2007, when I was in private practice, I worked as part of a team advising the Government on Northern Rock – the first UK bank to have a run on deposits in 150 years. This was against the backdrop of the subprime crisis in the US.  It was a very difficult time for the bank, a truly concerning one for its customers and an early indicator in the UK of a much bigger banking and economic crisis to follow.

It was also an unique experience for a youngish lawyer engaging with some of the smartest minds at her firm, in Government and at the Bank of England and Financial Services Authority.  I joined a small workstream on some novel contingency planning. I’ve never again experienced a plummeting sensation like the one I had when I was simply told to switch on the tv and watched the Government announce our contingency work – the bank’s nationalisation.

What is the wisest thing anyone ever said to you (and who said it)?

I’m better at remembering actions than quotes. My partner, who is not a lawyer, is a great deal maker.  I’ve watched carefully how he can make everyone emerge from a difficult negotiation feeling like winners.  He’s taught me to make sure you know what you really need from a situation, try to understand what someone else needs from you, assume good intent and provide a positive demonstration of your own goodwill.  Do all of that and you can achieve mutual success.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you are doing?

Two things – take everything as a learning opportunity and be tenacious.

I was intimidated by the profession when I started out. What I’ve found is if you are curious, your colleagues will be generous with their time, will help you learn from your and their successes and mistakes and will be committed to helping you achieve your goals.

And while I wouldn’t be where I am today without my colleagues’ support, it has also taken me to spot roles I wanted but didn’t exist yet, to be brave and ask for them. In that process, I’ve morphed from being an M&A lawyer to a General Counsel of a FTSE100 life insurer to General Counsel of a leading UK charity – Which?.

 What’s your best friend from law school doing now?

She’s the energetic managing director of a loss adjusting business and a mum of three.