Robin Fisher’s journey to becoming General Counsel EMEA at Randstad Enterprise began with a simple job application response that would shape his entire career. Unlike many legal professionals who transition from private practice, Robin found his calling in the in-house legal world from day one, once described as an “archetypal in-house lawyer” who never looked back.
Now leading legal operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for one of the world’s largest talent companies, Robin brings a refreshingly honest perspective to the challenges and rewards of in-house legal careers. From his early days in a 20-person office to navigating complex multi-national outsourcing deals in an AI-transformed HR landscape, his story is an example of how commitment to continuous learning and the right mentorship can propel a legal career to new heights.
In this blog, Robin shares personal insights on everything from decoding what clients really want when they ask for contract reviews, to his passion for Taylor Swift and ambitious plans to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail. His philosophy that law should be an enabler rather than a barrier offers valuable lessons for any legal professional looking to make their mark in the business world.
For those not familiar with it, tell us a little more about Randstad Enterprise
Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialized talent company. As a partner for talent and through our four specializations – Operational, Professional, Digital and Enterprise – we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces that they need to succeed in a talent scarce world. Randstad Enterprise helps organisations put people first across the talent life cycle to turn complex workforce challenges into solvable problems or new opportunities. We provide global talent advisory, acquisition, development and transition solutions to develop the skilled and agile workforce businesses need to keep moving forward.
What factors made you choose to work there?
At the time, Randstad UK was run as a group of portfolio businesses. I was previously at Adecco and moving to what was then called Randstad Managed Services felt like moving from a corporate behemoth to small company. We were only about 20-30 people in an office on Furnival Street with many colleagues based on client sites.
Why has it been a good place to work, from your perspective?
I’ve always developed here and had great internal opportunities. But mostly, it’s the people. We are a sales-oriented business and with that comes significant pressure for the lawyers but it’s all the more manageable because the people I work with are committed, engaged, smart and polite.
How has the organisation helped you develop your career?
There’s been significant formal training both nationally and internationally. This culminated in participating in the Senior Executive Programme alongside other global leaders. That course has a small group work on a business project, presenting to the Executive Board at the end. I was and continue to be fortunate to have a manager who believed in me and supported my development.
What made you want to move in-house originally?
It was not really a conscious decision. I finished my degree and wanted a job and saw an advert for a Legal Assistant at Adecco. I went for it and got it. I was at one point described by a manager as an archetypal in-house lawyer. I took that to mean that I wasn’t the right fit for private practice so never looked back.
Did you come up against any barriers or resistance from any quarters when you moved in-house? And how did you overcome those?
Certainly in the early 2000s there was a view that in-house is where lawyers went who couldn’t cut it in private practice. Having never been in private practice, it wasn’t something I really understood.
We all get into the legal profession for different reasons, what made you choose law as a career?
For two reasons: 1) I fundamentally believe that everyone should study law at some point in their life. One’s entire life is governed by a series of rules and regulations that most people don’t know about let alone understand. Having a base understanding of things like how laws are made, separation of powers, the rule of law and the limits of government power is important. 2) Law is an enabler. Knowing how to get things done within the constraints of the law is critical and that contributes to business success. ESG and corporate social responsibility play a big part in investor decisions now — companies can’t be rash on topics like compliance.
What particular opportunities for growth have come your way?
The professional highlight was running my own department. It had been an ambition for so long and I was fortunate to be supported in my development by not only my manager but also by other colleagues. I remember going to the CEO after my boss announced she was moving jobs internally and saying, “I think I’m ready for the job”, and he said, “Me too”. Having reached that goal, it removes a lot of pressure as well and I’m now happy in a different part of the business working as part of a team on complicated multi-national outsourcing deals.
Why might now be a good time to join the company?
Not a day goes by when I’m not challenged or learning something. And it’s been that way for over five years. AI is transforming the HR industry and with that brings new technical and knowledge challenges for the lawyers. It also impacts our way of working. Creating efficiencies in the team is everyone’s responsibility and there are plenty of opportunities to influence how we work.
What’s the preferred working pattern there?
Randstad Enterprise is generally remote-first and promotes a healthy work-life balance. As we work globally, you can find yourself working at odd times of the day, but you are trusted to organise your own work and get it done by the deadline. Generally, I prefer to work asynchronously and that again helps with global working. I do have a lot of (virtual) face-to-face time with customers though when negotiating.
Who’s been the most influential to you in your career?
I’m going to name two people: 1) Meera Ferguson, who I met in 2005 at Adecco. In our six years at Adecco, I learned everything I know about being a good in-house lawyer from Meera. 2) My current boss, Chrissi Evans. Chrissi took over as my manager in 2014 and without her I don’t think I’d be where I am now. It was thanks to her support that I was ready to take on the Legal Director role when she moved jobs.
If you could have a 30-minute conversation with your younger self just before you started your legal career, what would you tell them?
At least 50% of the time, the question you have been asked is not the question the person wants answered. The obvious one is “Can you review this contract?”. The sales person does not want it reviewed, they want it signed. Knowing that the real question is about getting it signed reframes the whole situation. Spotting the real issue and not just taking the question at face value is critical to getting things done.
What’s something you believed strongly about the legal world early in your career that you’ve completely changed your mind about?
That Demi Moore would spend evenings at your house while you sketched out plans and strategies on a white board for the following day’s work.
What’s your strategy for keeping up with legal developments while managing an increasingly busy role?
We are fortunate to have a colleague in France who is always on top of developments. Everything goes into a tracker and is flagged for impact.
If you had to teach a masterclass on something completely unrelated to law, what would the topic be?
Probably Taylor Swift. I’m a proud Swiftie. My mum will tell you though that I am a polymath with a love for learning but once I’ve learned enough, I move on. She was very disappointed when, after announcing a desire to learn to iron, I did not continue ironing all the clothes in the house once I had learned how to do it.
What’s the best investment you’ve ever made in yourself and why?
Probably looking after myself. I quit smoking many years ago and stopped drinking alcohol in December 2021. There’s a line in the West Wing from John Spencer where he says, “I don’t have one drink. I don’t understand people who have one drink” and that resonates. I run three-to-four times a week.
How do you balance being accessible to the business with protecting your time for strategic thinking?
When I am planning my diary, if I see I have a clear(ish) day, I will protect it. I’m normally working two weeks ahead so it’s unusual but it does happen that on a Friday, I’ll see that next Thursday is 90% clear of meetings, so I’ll block my diary. I’m still accessible but it allows me to prioritise my work rather than having meetings put in.
If you could change one thing about how the legal profession operates, what would it be and why?
We need to be more customer-oriented. I always worry that we safeguard a lot of the things we know because we are worried about becoming redundant (in the non-employment sense). I describe my job as helping people make good decisions. A large part of that comes from experience and not knowledge so democratising legal know-how quite often reduces the workload while increasing the value of the work you get involved with.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Loads because I like to learn a little bit about everything. I play guitar. I can do magic. I built a garden office by myself following YouTube tutorials. I bake amazing bread. I have my own web application that I run on the side. I like to learn.
Has coaching or mentoring had a positive impact on you in your career?
Absolutely. I had coaching in 2015. I had plateaued career-wise and my manager was very keen to get me a coach to work through some of the behavioural issues that were holding me back. It only worked because I was open to the feedback and prepared to accept some of the difficult truths. Having that person who holds you accountable is difficult but worthwhile. I wouldn’t have progressed without those coaching sessions.
Favourite restaurant?
Hawksmoor is my go-to restaurant and has been for years. I love a well-cooked ribeye and they have a fantastic approach towards sustainability and procurement of their meat. When I took my two eldest to New York (where my photograph was taken), we ate at Hawksmoor NYC one night just so I could say I’d been.
Top 3 things on your “bucket-list”?
I only have one thing on the bucket-list, which is to walk the Pacific Crest Trail. Made famous by the film, “Wild”, it’s a 2350 mile hiking trail from Campo in Southern California to the Canadian border in Washington. I have always loved California, particularly the Sierra Nevada, and walking it is a long-term plan.
What was your favourite car?
Mercedes-AMG C63. Back in 2019, I bought the 4 litre twin turbo and it was lovely. The highlight was a trip with one of the children to the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa. I sold it during COVID as we all moved to working from home as it was a very expensive ornament on the drive.
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