The aspirations of in-house lawyers to become board directors are growing, with one in five seeking executive-level positions on the companies they work.

According to research sponsored by city firm RPC, one-third of general counsel now sit on their company’s board or are regular observers.

Of the 42,000 in-house lawyers surveyed by legal network TerraLex, two-thirds said they are more involved in commercial strategy than five years ago. Nine out of 10 said that they provide broad commercial advice.

RPC managing partner Jonathan Watmough said GCs increasingly expect to become board directors. ‘GCs clearly have a strong appetite to take on a bigger role in the management of the business,’ he said. ‘It is going to be increasingly important for businesses to nurture that ambition.’

But James Blendis, general counsel at mobile operator EE, said it is helpful for GCs to retain independence from the executive board. ‘I’m the company secretary. I’m an officer of the board, but I’m not a board director. That’s probably the best arrangement. We are asked to advise quite often on some quite difficult decisions. 

‘I believe it is better to advise in an advisory and to some extent an independent capacity, rather than being in the same position as the other directors.’