Transport for London (TfL) director of legal and compliance Gareth John has been appointed as the new general counsel of facilities management company Sodexo.

John, who joined Sodexo at the beginning of the year (January 5), will be responsible for legal affairs at the company and will report to finance director Aidan Connolly. TfL has now begun its search for John's replacement.

Connolly said: "We are delighted that someone with Gareth's talent and experience has joined us – I am sure he will be a major asset in tackling the challenges ahead for our business. Sodexo has a good legal team, and Gareth's brief is to make it even better".

John added: "I am delighted to have joined Sodexo at an interesting time in the company's development, and am particularly looking forward to managing and working with the legal team."

Prior to his arrival at Sodexo, John spent four years at TfL reporting to general counsel Howard Carter, working largely on commercial and infrastructure projects, employment and property matters.

In his time at the organisation, John revamped TfL's panel of advisers, awarding places on the 12-firm four-year roster to Eversheds, Clifford Chance and Travers Smith.

John has also worked in-house with technology company Hewlett-Packard, where he served as head of legal UK and Ireland.

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