General counsel will be valued in future for their judgement and integrity, rather than legal expertise, according to research by a specialist recruiter.

BarkerGilmore’s report The Rise of the GC: from legal adviser to strategic adviser quotes one GC as saying that ‘the true expertise the general counsel brings is thoughtful analysis and unimpeachable ethics.’

Directors also predict a shift in the additional corporate ‘hats’ GCs are expected to wear, including chief compliance officer, ‘chief risk officer’ and ‘chief government relations officer’.