The High TideThe committee behind The High Tide — the IBA LFMC Business Development & Marketing sub-committee.
ChairRachel has over 15 years of experience working in international, UK and US law firms in both fee- earning and business development roles. She has worked in practice group and sector roles within Business Development teams and is currently implementing international business development initiatives with relationship law firms globally.
Vice ChairCharlotte Ford is Head of International Relationships at Charles Russell Speechlys, working with teams across the firm to support clients in their global ambitions. This includes delivery of BD activity through the firm's country desks, engagement with international associations, and relationships with international law firms. Charlotte also manages the business development and marketing teams in the firm's offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She has over 20 years' experience in the legal and professional services sector.
Host 2026Will Spencer is an internationally experienced business development and marketing leader with a 20+ year track record in the legal sector. He spent the first part of his career working in roles at international law firms in London. This included an early period in Hong Kong and, more recently, three years as commercial director of a global firm's management consultancy joint venture. Now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Will leads the business development function at Gorrissen Federspiel, where his focus is on building the framework and capabilities to deliver the firm's sector, client and go-to-market initiatives.
Host 2025
Elisabeth Peneder is responsible for Operations at PHH Rechtsanwält:innen, where she oversees and optimizes the firm's work processes and manages all staff units, including IT, finance, facilities, marketing, HR, and business development. She is responsible for personnel matters and for developing and implementing innovative marketing and business development strategies. With many years of experience in marketing and executive roles at leading Austrian companies, Elisabeth brings extensive expertise in process management, team leadership, and strategic development, making her a key driver of the firm's growth and efficiency.
Rachel is the Clients and Markets Partner at Arthur Cox and sits on the Management Committee. Rachel has more than 20 years’ experience in business development in the legal profession, specializing in client engagement and development strategies.
Host 2024A legal professional with over 15 years of in-house, public and private business and regulatory experience in the UK, Europe and the Americas. Proven expertise on antitrust, litigation, business development, financial services, litigation funding, legal marketing and risk management advice to a wide range of sectors. Exceptional managerial abilities in multicultural environments and working across different languages. Strong, strategic, commercial and public relations legal know-how.
Elisabeth has over 30 years of experience in Marketing Communications and Business Development, including 10 years as an entrepreneur. She enjoys working with multiple stakeholders and loves leading Houthoff’s Marketing team.
Daniela is the Head of Strategy and Business Development at PLMJ, a leading Portuguese firm, responsible for firm’s wider business development and sustainability strategy. With over 10 years in the legal sector, Daniela also worked at Freshfields.
