The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has appointed Kevin Nash as its new director general. 

Nash, a Canadian-qualified barrister and solicitor, will succeed Dutch arbitrator Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof at the start of January 2025. 

For her part van Haersolte-van Hof has led the LCIA for the past decade, as the institution navigated Brexit and the pandemic. She succeeded former director general Adrian Winstanley OBE, with Winstanley having served in the role for 14 pivotal years.  

Van Haersolte-van Hof maintained the LCIA’s presence across an increasingly competitive international arbitration landscape, consolidating its work in London.  

LCIA arbitration referrals have grown steadily over the last 10 years, notwithstanding a downward shift caused by the pandemic that has since been reversed, with 2023’s casework figures showing a return to year-on-year increases.  

During her tenure, the LCIA also withdrew its presence from India in 2016, Mauritius in 2018 and most recently Dubai, with the closure of the LCIA-DIFC in 2021, leading to the formation of the current Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).  

News of Nash’s appointment coincides with the launch of this year’s Dubai Arbitration Week, organised by the DIAC, in the most expansive iteration of that week to date.    

Nash brings extensive experience to the role, having served as registrar of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), where he was instrumental in the centre’s growth and success.  

Over the past decade, as registrar he oversaw the administration of thousands of international cases under the SIAC and other rules. Nash also played a key role in the revision of the SIAC Rules in 2013 and 2016 and the creation of the SIAC Investment Arbitration Rules in 2017.  

Nash was actively involved in global arbitration discourse, including participating in UNCITRAL’s working groups on dispute settlement and investor-state dispute settlement. He also represented SIAC at London International Disputes Week’s arbitral institutions congress in June this year.

While not previously holding executive responsibilities – as held by SIAC chief executive officer Gloria Lim, a former Singaporean senior civil servant and regulator – Nash as director general will oversee all aspects of the LCIA’s work, including casework, business development and institutional management. 

He is expected to enhance the LCIA’s global presence and continue to drive innovation in the field, for which there is precedent; Winstanley, regarded as a pivotal figure by LCIA members, first served as registrar in 1997 before promotion.  

Nash will work closely with LCIA deputy director general, Jamie Harrison, in promoting its services and strengthening relationships with legal and business stakeholders worldwide. Harrison, a former Addleshaw Goddard partner, has won acclaim for his role internationally, acting as an important foil between van Haersolte-van Hof and LCIA chairman Christopher Style KC as well as Style’s predecessor, Audley Sheppard KC.  

Nash expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasising the importance of building on the LCIA’s 130-year history and furthering its reach. “It is a privilege to step into this legacy and lead the next phase,” he said.

The transition was met with optimism by LCIA leaders. Style commented: “Jackie’s decade at the helm has been transformational. We want her successor to take the LCIA to the next level, so I am delighted that we’ve persuaded Kevin to rise to the challenge.”

James Castello, LCIA deputy chair and chair of the search committee, noted Nash’s depth of arbitration knowledge and his ability to advocate effectively for arbitration’s value across diverse markets. He also pointed to Nash’s skill in balancing the needs of both new and existing users, ensuring the LCIA remained responsive and adaptable.  

In that respect, Nash will work closely with the LCIA’s new director of marketing, communications and business development, Marie Sparks, who joined from Keating Chambers in October.  

Outgoing director general van Haersolte-van Hof expressed her confidence in Nash, remarking that he was well-prepared to guide the LCIA through an evolving arbitration landscape.  

“Kevin’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the LCIA,” she said, adding that the organisation is “in safe hands” as it continues to expand its influence.

Nash will be succeeded as registrar of the SIAC by his deputy, Vivekananda Neelakantan. Chairman of the SIAC board, Davinder Singh SC, commented: “We are pleased that Vivek will be our new registrar. We all look forward to working with him and benefitting from his ideas, energy and passion for SIAC’s mission.  

“We have the fullest confidence that he and our CEO Gloria Lim and the excellent SIAC team will take SIAC to even greater heights. I would like to thank Kevin for his many years and invaluable contributions to SIAC, and wish him the very best.”