lornanyandat
About Candidate
Enterprise-level executive and qualified Advocate with 20+ years’ experience serving as a strategic legal advisor, ESG, Sustainability and Impact strategist, and external affairs architect across telecommunications, financial services, and technology sectors in Africa and globally.
Track record of leading enterprise legal strategy, regulatory engagement, governance, and risk oversight at Board and Executive levels, while simultaneously shaping policy environments, managing institutional reputation, and unlocking capital through risk management and compliance leadership. Brings deep expertise in external affairs, government relations, ESG integration, and strategic communications, with the ability to translate complex regulatory and sustainability agendas into compelling narratives that influence decision-makers and mobilise capital.
Recognised for operating at the intersection of law, policy, capital, and strategy, with the ability to:
· Provide legally sound, commercially astute advice to Boards and C-suite.
· Shape national and sector-wide policy reforms and represent organisations in high-stakes negotiations, regulatory forums, and policy processes.
· Lead complex multi-jurisdictional legal and regulatory environments and build and lead high performing, cross-border teams.
· Design and implement enterprise risk, compliance, and governance frameworks.
· Lead multi-million-dollar negotiations (>$600M) and strategic transactions.
· Position organisations as credible, values-led leaders in complex stakeholder environments.
Location
Education
MBA, Strategic & HR Management – Daystar University, Nairobi (2016)
LLM, International Law – University of Hull, UK (2009)
Postgraduate Diploma in Law – Kenya School of Law (2005)
LLB, Law – University of Nairobi, Kenya (2004)
Work & Experience
Serve as a senior executive advisor on legal, regulatory, ESG, and enterprise risk, supporting business growth, investor readiness, and regional expansion. • Lead enterprise legal, regulatory, ESG and risk integration, ensuring compliance with applicable laws while enabling strategic growth. • Advise Board and Executive Leadership on legal risk exposure, governance obligations, and regulatory strategy. • Orchestrate engagement strategies with top-tier stakeholders, acting as the primary liaison to governmental and industry entities to ensure alignment, compliance, and sustained competitive advantage. • Oversee legal aspects of investor transactions, due diligence, and financing structures (over USD 10M). • Lead negotiation and legal structuring of complex commercial agreements, including infrastructure and technology partnerships. • Manage regulatory licensing and compliance strategy across multiple jurisdictions. • Develop and implement ESG frameworks and reporting systems, aligning with investor and regulatory expectations. • Recruitment, mentoring, and leading a team of diverse professionals to offer comprehensive ESG, compliance and risk management services to the business.
Served as de facto General Counsel and Head of External Affairs, with full accountability for legal, regulatory, compliance, governance, and public affairs functions. • Led enterprise legal function, advising Board and executives on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and legal risk. • Oversaw legal risk management, compliance frameworks, and internal controls, ensuring adherence to global standards. • Directed regulatory strategy and public policy engagement, influencing national policy reforms. • Structured and negotiated transactions exceeding USD 600M, including complex infrastructure agreements. • Managed regulatory disputes, enforcement actions, and legal exposure, minimising financial and reputational risk. • Ensured compliance with local and international regulatory frameworks, including environmental, aviation, and telecom laws. • Served as Company Secretary, supporting Board governance, statutory compliance, and decision-making processes. • Built and led high-performing legal, compliance, and public affairs teams. • Trained management and staff on compliance with OFAC, AML and other companywide ethics policies, and governance responsibilities.
Led regional legal and regulatory function across East Africa, supporting 5 subsidiaries and acting as lead legal advisor on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and managing external affairs matters. • Directed legal strategy across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance and enabling expansion across different markets. • Managed the full spectrum of corporate governance and statutory compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and facilitating seamless board operations. • Led legal aspects of M&A transactions, including regulatory approvals and integration saving over $400K annually in license fees and +USD 200K monthly in staff costs. • Developed and implemented risk management and compliance frameworks. • Oversaw litigation strategy and dispute resolution, reducing exposure and costs significantly. • Spearheaded government relations and policy advocacy, engaging key officials to shape regulatory environments and support business objectives.
• Directed complex legal litigation and dispute resolution strategies in liaison with external counsel, significantly reducing costs, legal risks and protecting bank assets. • Provided strategic legal advice on banking operations, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance, supporting business units to meet KCB risk management objectives. • Facilitated regional wide training and capacity building for branch staff to reduce operational risks and enhance capacity on AML and CFT. • Led legal support for credit facilities and product development, overseeing contract negotiations, probate administration, and bank policy adherence.
