Gareth Williams is a Consultant at Hugh James. For twelve years (until his retirement as a Partner in 2017) he was the firm’s Senior Partner. He specialises in sports law and substantial commercial and insurance litigation. He has represented insurance and corporate risk clients for more than 25 years, handling complex and high value cases.
He is chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club. Until recently he was the chair of the Board of Governors of the University of South Wales and a non-executive director of Thomas Carroll Group Plc.
He has been a legal adviser to the Welsh Rugby Union for 25 years. From 2010 until 2018 he was the WRU’s company secretary, a position which he relinquished upon his appointment as chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club.
Expertise
- Sports law
- Dispute resolution
- Insurance and corporate risk
- Personal injury
- Health and safety
Career history
- Trained: Hardwickes, Cardiff
- Qualified: 1976
- Partner at Hugh James: 1978
- Senior Partner at Hugh James: 2005 – 2017
- Chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club
- Former chair of the Board of Governors of the University of South Wales
- Former chair of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Former non-executive director of Thomas Carroll Group Plc
- Trustee of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and of Prostate Cymru
- Former chair of Wales Commercial Law Association
Experience
Gareth has advised the New York office of a major international insurer on insurance and liability issues arising from the Buncefield explosion. The potential exposure was £100 million. He has also advised the Welsh Government on a multi-million pound dispute arising out of a sponsorship agreement. He has been a legal adviser to the Welsh Rugby Union for 25 years and has undertaken high profile litigation and commercial work on its behalf.
Education
- Glan Conwy School (Head Boy)
- University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (LL.B and Morgan Owen Law Prizewinner)
Languages
- Welsh
What do you like to do outside work?
Gareth is Chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club. He is also a trustee of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust which supports rugby players who have suffered serious injury playing the game. Additionally, he is a trustee of Prostate Cymru.