Why I started Close Counsel

I want to help clients deliver great infrastructure projects with consistent commercial success.

For more than 20 years I’ve worked in the infrastructure sector – as a lawyer, executive, director and consultant.  There have been plenty of highs.  I’ve had the privilege of contributing to some great projects which have significantly improved communities and the environment.  And I’ve worked with some awesome, talented people who’ve taught me a lot.

Unfortunately I’ve also witnessed some spectacular commercial disasters.  Projects which have lost hundreds of millions of dollars.  Companies, big and small, that have collapsed.  Most recently I saw first hand the human impact of RCR Tomlinson going into liquidation – a 100 year old engineering company.  These financial failures don’t just hurt shareholders, but also employees, families, suppliers and local communities.

The simple truth is all the commercial disasters I’ve witnessed were avoidable.  The root causes are glaringly similar.  We can and should do more to replace these financial failures with sustainable, positive results.

So Close Counsel’s mission is to make a real contribution to that goal.  Helping businesses fully understand and manage risk.  Fixing problems early.  Resolving disagreements commercially.  And building commercial skills and acumen, so everyone can help achieve consistent success.

Roller coasters are a lot of fun, but let’s keep them out of the financial results.

If you would like to be involved – as a client, partner, friend or member of the Close Counsel team – then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  I’d love to hear from you.

Tom