Linklaters has hired William Hague to chair a special international committee consisting of just William Hague.

The former foreign secretary and Tory MP has been appointed chair of the new committee which will be called the International Advisory Group. Linklaters said the IAG would act as a "sounding board" for the firm's strategy and give "critical input". Hague was even more vague, saying the IAC would be "flexible and pragmatic" in how it supported the firm. It's almost as if it had been invented without anyone working out what it will actually do, but that obviously isn't the case.

   
"Hague here! Have you tried turning it off and then on again?"


Hague is currently the IAG's only member. Chairing the inaugural meeting of the committee from his bath, he said his first task would be to find other "innovative thinkers" to join the group. RollOnFriday asked if it could join his shadowy gang in return for a genuine branded RollOnFriday t-shirt and baseball cap, but his office said he was "travelling overseas this week". Which isn't a no. Linklaters and Hague's office both declined to say how much he was being paid.

Upcoming Magic Circle appointments:
  • Jeremy Clarkson: Allen & Overy - International Steering Committee
  • HSBC 'ISIS' staff: Clifford Chance - Public Relations Advisory Board
  • El Chapo: Slaughter and May - Work/life Balance Consultant
  • Zayn: Freshfields - Single Direction Strategy Group
Tip Off ROF

Comments

Anonymous 17 July 15 09:29

His first job could be to ensure that committee membership is displayed correctly on the firm's website as Excom apparently reports in to the dissolved International Board and it is unclear how many members are in the newly created Partnership Board.
Away days can be spent at Alton Towers in baseball caps!

Anonymous 17 July 15 11:07

It looks like the International Advisory Group may replace Excom as it deals with strategy and that William Hague may be the new managing partner.

Anonymous 17 July 15 12:44

It will be a big job trying to find "innovative thinkers".

Most work places try to be apolitical, or at least not overtly political, so one wonders whether people who are members or vote for other political parties are welcome to join the group. I wasn't aware of William Hague's strong connection with law firms, Single Direction Zayn probably has a greater rapport.

The firm recently streamlined its board and subcommittees so it seems rather odd to be setting up a new committee with no real remit or members and also that it has been given a similar name to the disbanded International Board, or is it being set up to check on Excom. It looks like more rationalisation of the committees is needed and to just have one unitary board served by qualified staff in the company services unit.

It all sounds just so vague. Greater transparency is required about the IAG's remit and the remuneration package to its members.

Anonymous 17 July 15 13:18

Presumably there will be other members from other countries in the group to reflect the international in the title "international advisory group".

In the interests of corporate responsibility, the firm should employ a number of unemployed people to equate to the salary WH will be paid.

Anonymous 18 July 15 02:28

F*** me you can read some RoF regulars and start to think what bunch of tedious autistic bores they are and then just when you think there is no hope the commentators above come along and remind you why even the average RoFbot is such a breath of fresh air.

Anonymous 19 July 15 01:01

Some of these comments are stupid. A firm as Type A and ruthless as Links won't haven't done this without good reason. They'll bung Hague a couple of hundred thousand and get priceless access to the Government in return. Smart move.