Chris Norton

Associate Director | Governance, Risk and Compliance

UAE

Chris specialises in the recruitment of governance, risk and compliance professionals across the Middle East region. Born in the UAE and raised in the UK, Chris brings a wealth of experience to the governance, risk and compliance team in Dubai, having placed SMEs globally across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UK, Germany, Switzerland and more.

Based in Dubai, Chris partners closely with a diverse portfolio of clients, including financial institutions, crypto and fintech startups, asset and investment managers, oil and gas corporations, real estate developers, trading and shipping firms, law practices, regulatory bodies, and government entities. His deep understanding of the regional regulatory landscape and global best practices enables him to deliver strategic hiring solutions that align with evolving compliance demands and risk management frameworks.

Chris is known for his consultative approach, market insight, and commitment to building long-term relationships. His expertise helps organisations navigate complex regulatory environments and build resilient, future-ready GRC teams that drive business integrity and operational excellence.

Chris's Insights, Articles and Resources

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A career shift into risk and compliance in UK law firms: what lawyers need to know

Posted May 18, 2026

Contents Key insights We’re seeing a clear shift across the UK legal market: more lawyers are actively exploring moves into risk and compliance roles within law firms, with growing interest in long-term compliance careers. This isn’t limited to one practice area or level of seniority; we are seeing interest from associates through to general counsel. […]

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The new shape of compliance in UK law firms and the hiring gaps it’s creating

Posted May 18, 2026

Contents Key insights Law firm compliance is no longer a background control function designed to “keep the regulator happy”. Over the last few years, it has become a central operational and reputational pillar and one that firms are increasingly expected to evidence as robust, scalable and commercially aware. What we are seeing now is not […]

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Five signs it’s time for London solicitors to move firms

Posted May 18, 2026

Contents Key insights For most solicitors, the decision to move firms is rarely driven by a single moment. More often, it is the gradual accumulation of signals: the sense that progression has slowed, that the firm’s direction no longer aligns with your own, or that the work you are doing no longer stretches or excites […]

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Stepping into a PE-backed business: a GC’s perspective

Posted May 15, 2026

Contents Key insights Georgia Morgan Wynne spoke to Kristin McFetridge, General Counsel at MVF Global, about the realities of stepping into a private equity-backed business and why success in the role has less to do with law, and more to do with judgment, pace and people. It’s rarely the legal work that’s the challenge For […]

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AI in corporate governance: how UK FTSE boards and company secretarial teams are adopting it

Posted April 28, 2026

Contents Share Key insights Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually becoming part of the corporate governance landscape in the UK’s largest listed companies. While adoption remains measured, governance and company secretarial teams across the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are starting to explore how AI can support their work, particularly as board agendas become more complex […]

AI security vs AI governance: clarifying the hiring decision

Posted April 28, 2026

Contents Share Key insights As AI moves from pilot projects into core operations, hiring conversations becoming more pointed: Do we need AI security, AI governance, or both? And can existing teams cover the risk AI introduces? The reality is that neither discipline is entirely new. Both draw heavily on existing security and privacy capability. The […]