Frances Coats has joined insurance firm Howden Group as its general counsel, the company said. She takes over from Will Bloomer, who has been promoted to a newly created role of chief corporate and legal affairs officer. Coats joins less than a year after she moved to insurtech business bolttech as its general counsel for Europe. Maria Kyriakou has joined computer software group Plentific as its inaugural general counsel, a spokesperson has confirmed. She joins from Open Banking where she was legal counsel for eight months, according to LinkedIn. Prior roles include head of legal at the English National Opera. Historic England has revamped its legal panel. According to a contract award notice, Bevan Brittan, Burges Salmon, Trowers & Hamlins and Womble Bond Dickinson have all won places on the roster. Kate Luton has joined fintech iwoca as head of legal, a company spokesperson confirmed, joining from mortgage broker Habito where she was senior legal counsel. In the role, she will lead both the legal team and compliance team for the business. The Crown Commercial Service has kicked off the tender process for its rail legal services panel worth £80 million, according to a tender notice published online. The new panel will be in place for three years from 2022, with an option to extend for an additional year. Caroline O'Connor has joined insurtech group Tractable as its group general counsel, a spokesperson said. According to LinkedIn, she joins from GoCardless, where she was deputy general counsel.