James Conyers
General counsel
BSkyB
Unsurprisingly, regulatory affairs are crucial for James Conyers’ 17-strong team at BSkyB, including dealing with Ofcom. Competition disputes with other UK broadcasters have been a key feature of the last ten years as well.
Conyers, who has been with the satellite broadcaster for 14 years, also has to regularly deal with Oftel over the licensing of BSkyB’s ‘conditional access services’ used for channels not sold as part of the BSkyB package.
External adviser Herbert Smith Freehills, which has a longstanding relationship with the TV company, recently advised BSkyB on two transactions, the acquisition of Parthenon Media Group and its proposed buyback of up to £500m in shares.
Law firms used: Herbert Smith Freehills, Olswang
2005-present: General counsel, BSkyB
1998-2005: Deputy head of legal and business affairs, BSkyB