In-House Insights: Nick Fell on leadership, legacy and the power of the sea
Few legal careers are as closely tied to the pulse of the global economy as that of Nick Fell, General Counsel of BW Group, one of the world’s leading energy shipping and infrastructure businesses. Based in Singapore, Fell oversees the company’s legal, corporate and insurance functions — a portfolio that spans continents, markets and, increasingly, new forms of energy.
Speaking to Blake Morgan as part of our In-House Insights series, Fell reflects on the forces that have shaped his professional life, the satisfaction of nurturing legal talent, and why English law’s heritage continues to anchor international trade.
Driven by the sea
When asked what drives him, Fell doesn’t hesitate. “It’s intimately connected with the industry I elected to join,” he says. “Shipping is one of the most ancient professions in the world — and one of the most noble. The whole of the world’s economy depends on it, even if not everybody realises it.”
From his office window in Singapore, Fell looks out over the anchorage, often dotted with BW’s vessels. “I’m lucky enough to see some of our ships there most of the time,” he adds with a smile. “It’s a constant reminder of the tangible, physical nature of what we do — connecting economies and delivering energy safely around the world.”
That industry connection, he says, fuels both purpose and perspective. “When I joined BW 13 or 14 years ago, we were purely a shipping company. Now we’re very much shipping, energy and infrastructure. By energy, it’s everything from oil production on one side to battery storage and wind installation vessels on the other. That transition is exciting — it shows how the business, and the industry, continue to evolve.”
The rewards of developing others
For Fell, leadership isn’t just about steering complex transactions or managing risk — it’s about people. “One of the great satisfactions of my role is having a team to recruit, develop, nurture and coach,” he explains. “I get huge enjoyment from seeing them do well, whether they’re senior lawyers or interns.”
That mentoring mindset extends beyond BW’s internal team. Fell is active in promoting careers in shipping and energy, often opening doors for students who might never have considered the sector. “One of my objectives is that at least half of the interns we take on end up pursuing a career in shipping, insurance or energy,” he says.
I enjoy seeing those people develop, wherever their journey takes them.
His approach to leadership is straightforward: give people space to grow, and trust them to deliver. “It’s important to set expectations and provide guidance, but also to let people find their own rhythm,” he reflects. “That’s how confidence builds — and with it, the ability to handle the inevitable challenges that come with working in such a dynamic industry.”
A global view
Fell’s career has taken him from London, Hong Kong and the United States to Singapore, where BW Group has its headquarters. It’s a perspective that has made him deeply aware of how globalisation and shifting energy demands reshape legal work.
“Shipping and energy are both high-value and, in many ways, high-risk sectors,” he says.
That means the legal and compliance frameworks have to be rigorous but also adaptive. The global energy transition adds another layer of complexity — as new technologies and fuels emerge, so do new contractual and regulatory questions.
BW’s work covers liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other transportable forms of energy, moving from major producing regions such as Qatar and the United States to markets in Europe and Asia. “There’s a strong sense of responsibility that comes with that,” Fell adds. “It’s not just about shipping goods — it’s about enabling economies to function and supporting energy security.”
The value of perspective
Like many in-house lawyers, Fell’s path to general counsel required a shift in mindset. “When you move in-house, you need to develop a different toolkit,” he explains. “You still need the technical skills you’ve built in private practice, but you also need to understand the business in depth — its priorities, its language, its culture.”
He sees success in his field not as a single achievement, but as a continuum of collaboration.
A good day is when we’ve helped the business make a sound commercial decision, reduced risk, or unlocked an opportunity that others might not have spotted. That’s what makes the role so rewarding — being part of the decision-making process rather than an external adviser looking in.
Navigating challenges
The scale and pace of the energy transition bring both opportunities and pressures. “The industry is evolving faster than ever,” Fell says. “There’s a real need to balance innovation with prudence — to ensure that as we move into new sectors, we maintain the same standards of safety, compliance and ethics that have always underpinned shipping.”
That balance is something he returns to often. “There’s no shortage of challenges — from regulatory shifts to geopolitical uncertainties — but the essence of good governance remains the same. It’s about sound judgment, open communication and a willingness to listen.”
The role of networks
For Fell, relationships — both internal and external — are key to navigating complexity. “Networking in our sector is invaluable,” he explains.
It’s not just about meeting people; it’s about building trust and sharing knowledge. The shipping and energy industries are relatively close-knit, and collaboration is essential to progress.
That same spirit informs how BW Group works with its external legal advisers. “We have an excellent team of in-house lawyers and compliance professionals,” Fell says, “but there are always times when we need to draw on external expertise — particularly in areas like English law.”
He values law firms that understand both the business context and the commercial realities. “We look for advisers who are pragmatic, who can translate legal risk into business language,” he adds. “That’s where real value lies — in counsel that helps us move forward rather than just pointing out the obstacles.”
English law’s lasting influence
Much of BW Group’s work, and indeed much of international trade, continues to rely on English law. Fell is quick to highlight why. “English commercial law is really built upon the growth of shipping, insurance and trade,” he explains. “Many of the cases we studied at university were shipping cases, and they’re still relevant today. There’s a depth and sophistication to English law that’s hard to replicate.”
That legacy, he acknowledges, owes much to history. “English law’s prevalence in global commerce is closely tied to Britain’s maritime heritage,” he says. “It’s a real legacy of the Royal Navy and of Britain’s role as a global trading power. As economies shift eastwards, we’re seeing other systems rise — particularly in Singapore and China — but the common law remains a powerful foundation.”
He adds, “In arbitration, nothing beats London. Singapore is number two and rising, but even then, many Singapore arbitrations are still held under English law. It’s a system that continues to command respect because of its nuance and predictability.”
Looking ahead
Advice for those looking for a career in-house? Fell remains grounded in the principles that have guided his career. “You’ve got to have a little bit of paranoia — a healthy awareness that the landscape can change quickly,” he says. “That keeps you sharp. But at the same time, you have to maintain perspective and trust your team.”
As the interview draws to a close, Fell reflects on the future of in-house legal work. “The role is becoming ever more integrated with business strategy,” he says.
Legal teams are no longer just risk managers — they’re partners in growth. That’s a huge opportunity for lawyers who are willing to engage with the business and think commercially.
For in-house counsel navigating similar challenges, he recommends building strong networks and continuing to learn. “The issues we face are rarely unique,” he notes. “Talking to peers, sharing experiences — that’s incredibly valuable.”
It’s a sentiment that aligns closely with Blake Morgan’s own commitment to supporting the in-house community through initiatives such as Counsel+, our network designed for in-house lawyers to share insights, build connections and exchange ideas. As Fell’s story demonstrates, collaboration and continuous learning lie at the heart of effective in-house practice — wherever in the world you may be.
Interested in joining the conversation?
Find out more about Blake Morgan’s Counsel+ forum for in-house lawyers here.
This article is part of Blake Morgan’s In-House Insights series, where we speak to leading in-house lawyers about their careers, challenges and successes — exploring what drives them and how they’re shaping the future of the legal profession.
Tags: counsel plus, in-house insights
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