Meet the speakers

Find out more about the speakers attending PLEASe 2026

DAY ONE: THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2026

2pm - Rethinking the modern law firm: Sharing experiences

Robert Byk, Partner, Slaughter and May
Robert advises on banking, finance, project finance and corporate transactions, focusing on leveraged and complex deals. He works with major clients across sectors, is heavily involved in key regional relationships (including the Africa Practice Group), oversees the firm’s pro bono and is a member of the firm's Responsible Business committee.
Ngozie Azu, Special Advisor, Slaughter and May
Ngozie, Special Adviser, supports clients’ global ambitions by fostering ties with relationship firms, driving BD activities, and engaging with international associations. A qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, she has been at the firm for nearly 20 years.
Jumoke Lambo, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
Jumoke Lambo, Managing Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, leads the TMT and data protection practice, co-heads Aviation and Employment Law, and oversees Alsec Nominees, the firm’s company secretarial practice, which has over 300 companies in its portfolio. Her expertise spans TMT, cybersecurity, foreign investment, compliance, and M&A.
Tammy Beira, Talent and Business Development Partner, Bowmans
Tammy Beira is Bowmans' Talent and Business Development Partner. She joined the firm in 1998 as an articled clerk, became an M&A partner, and now focuses on people experience, client service and operational excellence. She has BCom and LLB degrees.
David Ofosu-Dorte
Jonathan Soeharno, Lawyer and Professor of Ethics, De Brauw
Jonathan Soeharno is a specialist in the field of ethics and integrity. Holding degrees in philosophy, theology and law, he is lawyer (Of Counsel) at De Brauw, full professor of law at the University of Amsterdam, (deputy) judge and former senator.
Karim Anjarwalla, Senior Parter, Anjarwalla & Khanna
Karim Anjarwalla, Senior Partner at Anjarwalla & Khanna, has led the firm for nearly 30 years, growing it from 6 to almost 30 partners and shaping it into East Africa’s leading full service corporate law firm.
James Orima

3:45pm - Hard talk: Navigating power, performance and progress

David Watkins, Chair, Africa Practice Group, Slaughter and May
David is the Chair of our Africa Practice Group. His principal areas of practice include M&A, general corporate finance, equity capital markets and corporate governance. He advises clients across a broad range of sectors including financial institutions, insurance, media and IEN.
Michael Katz, Chairman, ENS
Professor Michael Katz, Chairman of ENS, is a leading South African corporate lawyer with decades of experience in M&A, tax, and B-BBEE. He chaired the Katz Commission, advises on major deals, and is recognised globally as a thought leader and award-winning expert
Naila Ramsey, Partner, Sharkawy & Sarhan
Naila leverages 20+ yrs in cross-border project finance & PPPs. Ex-Linklaters & Babcock & Brown, she leads on client relationship management, advises on infrastructure, and champions diversity, mentoring & the green transition.
Chike Obianwu, Deputy Managing Partner, Templars
Chike Obianwu, Deputy Managing Partner at TEMPLARS, has over 25 years’ experience advising on Nigeria’s largest and most complex transactions, with 15+ years in senior leadership at one of West Africa’s leading law firms.
Paras Shah, Managing Partner, Bowmans Kenya
Paras Shah, Managing Partner at Bowmans Kenya, is an expert in M&A, capital markets, and financing. He is a member of the Bowmans Management Board and chairs the firm’s Africa Committee.

4:45pm - Smarter billing

Bronwen Hutchison, Senior Counsel, Slaughter and May
Bronwen, Senior Counsel in the Infrastructure & Energy practice, advises on complex global projects. She is a leading member of the Africa Practice Group and has deep expertise in African infrastructure and energy, including work in Botswana and Namibia.
Jonathan Cotton, Partner, Slaughter and May
Jonny is a partner with 30+ years’ experience defending clients against allegations of wrongdoing in criminal, regulatory and civil cases spanning the globe, including many in or related to African jurisdictions.
Rob Innes, Partner, Slaughter and May
Rob is a leading corporate lawyer with extensive experience in public takeovers, international private M&A and equity capital markets. He has advised major global companies on landmark transactions and is ranked as a top individual in The Legal 500.

DAY TWO – FRIDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2026

9:30am - Shareholder activism - Trends, tactics and how to prepare

David Watkins, Chair, Africa Practice Group, Slaughter and May
David is the Chair of our Africa Practice Group. His principal areas of practice include M&A, general corporate finance, equity capital markets and corporate governance. He advises clients across a broad range of sectors including financial institutions, insurance, media and IEN.
Rob Innes, Partner, Slaughter and May
Rob is a leading corporate lawyer with extensive experience in public takeovers, international private M&A and equity capital markets. He has advised major global companies on landmark transactions and is ranked as a top individual in The Legal 500.
Ezra Davids, Chairman and Senior Partner, Bowmans
Ezra Davids, Bowmans’ Chairman and Senior Partner, specialises in M&A, capital markets, and securities law. He has led major African deals and is a former chair of the IBA Private Equity Sub-committe.
Adam Emmerich, Partner, Wachtell
Adam Emmerich, partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, co-chairs the corporate department. He advises global public and private companies on mergers, governance, shareholder activism, and takeover defence, with deep expertise in corporate matters.

11am - Resource partnerships in a changing landscape

Steven Galbraith, Partner, Slaughter and May
Steven has 30+ years’ experience in financing, infrastructure and energy across 50+ countries. He advises corporates, governments and banks on projects, M&A and sector reform, and teaches project finance as Visiting Professor at King’s College London
Richard Todd, Partner, Slaughter and May
Richard, a Partner in the firm's Energy & Infrastructure practice and key member of the Africa Practice Group, specialises in major projects for global and domestic assets. He has deep African expertise, including work in Botswana and Namibia.
Bronwen Hutchison, Senior Counsel, Slaughter and May
Bronwen, Senior Counsel in the Infrastructure & Energy practice, advises on complex global projects. She is a leading member of the Africa Practice Group and has deep expertise in African infrastructure and energy, including work in Botswana and Namibia.
Bame Pule, Founder & CEO, Africa Lighthouse Capital
Bame Pule is Founder & CEO of Africa Lighthouse Capital, a private equity firm transforming African businesses into industry leaders through capital, strategic guidance, and governance. He brings 20+ years of global finance experience.

2pm - Navigating disputes with governments

Jonathan Cotton, Partner, Slaughter and May
Jonny is a partner with 30+ years’ experience defending clients against allegations of wrongdoing in criminal, regulatory and civil cases spanning the globe, including many in or related to African jurisdictions.

2:45pm - Staying ahead of cyber threats

Robert Byk, Partner, Slaughter and May
Robert advises on banking, finance, project finance and corporate transactions, focusing on leveraged and complex deals. He works with major clients across sectors, is heavily involved in key regional relationships (including the Africa Practice Group), oversees the firm’s pro bono and is a member of the firm's Responsible Business committee.
Danielle Oosthuizen

3:45pm - Keynote session: Thriving in the age of AI

Mark Smith, Owner, Intelligent Challenge
After 10 years as a tech lawyer, Mark earned an MBA and moved into commercial roles. He now leads law firm engagement for a FTSE10 tech business, advises at Cambridge, runs a coaching firm and researches AI’s impact on law firms.