Paul Osborne opens a new window
Senior Consultant
I am a senior consultant and co-chair of international at Fox Williams. I am passionate about building the Fox Williams business, maintaining its values and supporting clients in realising their potential and ambitions.”
Paul is a commercially astute, perceptive and articulate business leader, senior lawyer and board adviser with over 35 years’ experience shaping strategy and driving performance for a leading City law firm, its clients, and more recently international companies as a Non-Executive Director (NED).
He brings deep expertise in board dynamics, people leadership, and business and commercial strategy, underpinned by a strong background in cross-border M&A, corporate restructuring and business advisory. This combination has enabled him to guide organisations through change and deliver strong, sustainable growth.
As Senior Partner of Fox Williams from 2013 to 2023, Paul led the firm’s development into a highly profitable, independent, single-office City law firm with 47 partners, a strong international network and a leading reputation across multiple sectors and practice areas. He championed structural innovation by overseeing the transition from LLP to ABS, enabling non-lawyers with accountancy, operational and HR expertise to become partners in the firm, significantly enhancing company performance and client value.
In December 2023, Paul was appointed Non-Executive Director of Tennants Consolidated Limited, an international chemicals group with turnover approaching £600m, where he provides independent judgement on strategy, performance, resources and governance. In October 2024, he was also appointed NED of Lothbury Group Limited, the holding company for an FCA-regulated insurance broker and a Corporate Capital Member, both operating in the Lloyd’s market.
Paul continues to advise clients who value his ability to identify early the issues that matter most and to devise effective, commercially focused negotiating strategies. His role with Fox Williams is now part-time, focused on client advisory work and expanding the firm’s international footprint.
Clients describe Paul as “well trusted and likeable… with a lot of clout” and “an outstanding negotiator, quick to appreciate contractual subtleties and steer discussions towards the desired outcome.” He is recognised in the Smith & Williamson Hall of Fame as a Professional Practice Leader.
