Durham Law School announces the appointment of Ian Gray as Chair of the Advisory Board following the retirement of Sir Andrew McFarlane
1 June 2026
Durham Law School warmly welcomes Ian Gray as the new Chair of it's Advisory Board; the School very much looks forward to working with Ian over the coming years and thanks Ian for taking on this role. Our thanks also extend to Sir Andrew McFarlane who has now retired from his role as Chair, and his position as President of the Family Division. We would like to sincerely thank Sir Andrew for his commitment, leadership and exceptional service to the School for many years.
A Durham Law graduate, Ian qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1991 and has also been admitted to practice in Hong Kong, Germany and Ireland. He brings extensive international experience from a distinguished career with Linklaters and, subsequently, Eversheds Sutherland.
Ian served as Eversheds Sutherland’s International Managing Partner and later as Executive Partner on its Global Executive (2017-2025), helping to shape the firm’s global strategy and expansion across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. He also has significant leadership experience in advisory and governance roles, including chairing the firm’s Client Advisory Board and leading its European operations.
Dean of the Law School, Professor Volker Roeben, commented:

“We are extremely grateful to Sir Andrew McFarlane for his exemplary leadership and lasting contribution to the Law School. I am delighted to welcome Ian Gray as Chair of the Advisory Board and look forward to his role in shaping the School’s future direction.”

Durham Law School’s Advisory Board is a group of experienced and distinguished individuals drawn from the Law and other professions and occupations.
The role of the Advisory Board includes bringing its experience, expertise and outside perspective to bear on such matters as the Dean of the Law School requests it to consider for the benefit of the Law School’s current and future students, researchers and staff.
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