Trowers & Hamlins has won a high-profile restructuring role on the administration of Global Counsel, the advisory firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson.
The news comes after weeks of intense scrutiny over Mandelson’s historic connections to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with Global Counsel subsequently losing a succession of major clients.
Interpath – the restructuring business spun out of KPMG in 2021 – was officially appointed as administrators to Global Counsel today (20 February), with Trowers acting as legal adviser to Interpath.
In a statement, Interpath said: ‘In the wake of ongoing public scrutiny of the company’s co-founder Peter Mandelson, a number of the company’s clients have recently cut ties with the firm. The significant financial impact of this on the business has left the directors with no option but to seek the appointment of administrators. The business has ceased to trade whilst the administrators consider their options.’
Interpath UK CEO Will Wright and managing director Steve Absolom are acting as joint administrators.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Global Counsel – which was founded in 2010 – said: ‘After an exhaustive review of the options available to the company, the board of Global Counsel has decided to ask the UK courts to appoint Interpath as an administrator to take control of and realise the assets of the company’.
Mandelson stepped down from Global Counsel’s executive board last year, and in early February this year the company announced the complete divestment of his shares and the resignation of the co-founder and CEO, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser.
However, despite this, the company said that Mandelson’s role as a co-founder and his conduct had ‘indelibly coloured the way Global Counsel is seen in the outside world.’
Mandelson is also reportedly being advised by Mishcon de Reya, following the news the Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into the former Labour minister over allegations of misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing. Mishcon declined to comment.
Mandelson was dismissed as ambassador to the US last September 2025 after emails revealed continued contact with Epstein following his conviction for sex offences.
