Australia chair to take over as new NRF global chair

Australia chair Scott Atkins has been elected to take over as Norton Rose Fulbright’s (NRF) new global chair effective 1 January.

Atkins succeeds EMEA chair Farmida Bi, CBE, who took the role last year. Global chief executive Gerry Pecht described Atkins as “a true firm citizen who never stops prioritising what is best for our clients and our people.”

“His impressive history of leadership roles and experience advising business and governments on international matters will be a tremendous support to our global leadership team,” Pecht said.

Atkins presently serves as global co-head of NRF’s restructuring team as well as head of the risk advisory team in Australia. Among his most noteworthy accomplishments is in helming a team in Myanmar to draft a new restructuring and business rescue framework alongside Asian Development Bank and the Union Supreme Court of Myanmar. This led to Myanmar passing its Insolvency Law in February 2020 and to legislation that is regarded as “the best practice model for other nations,” NRF said.

Atkins has led global organisations and teams in almost 30 years in the profession, and currently concentrates on building NRF’s space sector. Moreover, he presides over INSOL International, chairs INSOL’s Asian Advisory Council, and was the immediate past president of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association.

“I am honoured and humbled to serve in this global role. My focus will be to support the firm’s leadership to implement our strategy; support our clients as they pursue new frontiers, such as the burgeoning commercial space industry; and above all, to continue to deliver our exceptional standards of client service,” he explained. “Norton Rose Fulbright has tremendous potential leading into 2023, and I look forward to helping the firm seize market opportunities for the benefit of our clients.”

Atkins will continue to serve in his existing roles while leading the firm from his base in Sydney.