Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Sara Hall, Walkers
This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Sara Hall, Partner at Walkers.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I’m a partner in the global Regulatory & Risk Advisory Practice at Walkers, based in our London office. I advise on Cayman Islands, Bermuda and British Virgin Islands law and regulation – with a particular focus on digital assets and financial services. We have 10 offices globally, and the London office is the second largest globally (after the Cayman Islands office).
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s usually a mix of client calls and meetings, either in person or virtual, plus delivering written advice to clients. There’s also a part of my day spent with colleagues – either in person in the London office (I’m in usually every day) or virtually via Teams with colleagues in one of our other nine offices. As a firm, we are very collaborative, so the sharing of information and ideas is a key part of my day. As we don’t practise English law at Walkers, part of my day is also devoted to building relationships with onshore law firms, so that we can together offer clients the best service.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions you have received.
All of our client instructions are interesting. We recently acted for Hawksford on its acquisition of Paradigm Governance Partners which is a Cayman Islands regulated company (so this involved applying to the regulator for pre-approval). I also really enjoy working with founders and seeing different business ideas taking shape – and supporting the development of completely new markets and products.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Regulation is often extremely complex, particularly where there are multiple jurisdictions involved and novel businesses. So we help our clients navigate that complexity, and identify and mitigate regulatory risk. Collectively, my colleagues and I have a huge amount of practical experience gained from working at and with regulators, and can provide insights as to how a regulator is likely to view a particular product or business.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Most recently, it was becoming a partner at Walkers. Becoming a Managing Director and Global Head of Regulatory Compliance at Deutsche Bank is also something I am proud of.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
The ability to know yourself and to remember you are always a role model is very important. This includes taking care of your health. It’s also critical to be humble and to learn constantly (particularly from others), and to have courage. It’s important not to be afraid to make decisions.
Who do you most admire and why?
Our managing partner, Ingrid Pierce. Walkers has grown almost three times in size since I was hired and we remain collegiate and collaborative as a firm –and very entrepreneurial. It’s a fun place to work.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
Fuerteventura at Easter to hike up volcanoes.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I would be a mountain guide. I have hiked up hundreds of mountains all over the world in rain, snow and shine and never tire of it.
How do you relax after a long day?
Doing Wordle!
You can view Sara’s profile on the Leaders List here.
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