New head of commercial and legal for Buro Happold

Buro Happold has appointed May Winfield as its new global director of commercial, legal and digital risks. 

Winfield will lead on all commercial, legal and insurance matters for the global business, including the development of effective risk management strategies. She will support the development of new service offerings, establish, maintain, and strengthen client relationships and form contracts. The digital aspect of the role will include providing support to develop new policies, systems and procedures on all services relating to construction technology, information management and BIM, as well managing the risk of implementing new digital-related technologies and services.  

Winfield has worked as a senior construction and insurance lawyer for over 16 years and has considerable knowledge in dispute resolution, contract negotiation and risk management, having supported various international organisations across the design and construction industry, including consultants, contractors and insurers, in multi-million-pound projects and disputes. 

As a regular speaker and author on construction law and technology, Winfield is widely recognised as a leading expert in construction technology, with a passion for innovation in the industry. With significant experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, she is adept at providing guidance on contractual issues, dispute resolution and establishing action plans to provide commercial and legal solutions that add value or mitigate risk. 

“As a dynamic, forward thinking business, we’re always looking to improve and expand our digital offering to our clients, and May will play a crucial role in delivering these aspirations,” said James Bruce, CEO at Buro Happold.  “May’s reputation within the industry speaks for itself and to have her expertise in leading such a vital part of our business is invaluable,” he said. 

Commenting on her appointment, May Winfield said: “Having worked as associate director and then as head of commercial and legal: cities and digital at Buro Happold, I am delighted to be appointed as the global head of the commercial and legal team. It’s a privilege to be able to lead on the legal strategy of the business, as well as the development and implementation of new policies and systems that allow Buro Happold to do what it does best - provide an innovative range of digital and construction technology services to its global client base.”

Winfield’s appointment follows the departure of Margot Day, who has left her role as Buro Happold’s global director of risk and commercial law, to join Arup as its new general counsel.