General counsel make their mark: Exel's Evans puts stamp on first Royal Mail in-house post

Former Exel corporate legal director Doug Evans has resurfaced at the Royal Mail, taking up the role of its first ever general counsel.

Evans joined the postal giant in late June having parted company with Exel last March after six years. His departure followed the company’s GBP 3.6bn takeover by German rival Deutsche Post.

The Royal Mail’s legal function was previously headed up by director of legal services Catherine Churchard, who is due to retire later in the year.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the creation of a general counsel post, sitting in the company secretary’s office, was driven by the number of legal issues the company has faced since the postal market was opened up to competition at the start of the year. The change followed a decision by postal regulator Postcomm to open up the market to rivals.

Evans reports to company secretary Jonathan Evans.