Emma Cleveland

Emma Cleveland is the Founder and CEO of Cleveland & Co External In-House Counsel®, a specialist legal advisory firm she launched in 2012 to modernise the legal industry and deliver exceptional, commercially focused legal advice to the financial services sector. With over 20 years of international experience and tri-qualification in England & Wales, New South Wales (Australia), and Ireland, Emma has advised some of the world’s most prominent investment houses, asset managers, and financial institutions.

Emma’s career spans four continents, including senior in-house roles at firms such as Aviva Investors, Russell Investments, Threadneedle, and AIG. Her early career saw her embedded in the industry’s most critical functions, front, middle, and back office, giving her rare insight into the complete operational, commercial, and regulatory lifecycle of investment management businesses. Over the years, she has played a central role in building legal departments, globalising policy frameworks, and guiding senior stakeholders through complex restructurings, fund launches, product governance, M&A and regulatory change.

Known for her strategic clarity, commercial precision, and people-first leadership, Emma provides advice across investment management, funds, financial services regulation, private equity, pooled pension funds, listed vehicles, fintech, and global distribution models, with a track record of solving high-stakes challenges under pressure. She is a recognised voice in the sector for her integrity, vision, and ability to bridge legal, regulatory, and business strategy seamlessly. Her clients and peers alike value her foresight, warmth, and relentless focus on outcomes.

Emma is deeply committed to improving the way legal services are delivered, driving Cleveland & Co’s expansion from a solo practice into a global firm serving over 250 institutional clients with combined AUM exceeding £9 trillion, including institutional asset managers, pension funds, insurers, banks, sovereign wealth funds, and investment platforms. Her pioneering leadership has earned her accolades such as Boutique Lawyer of the Year and finalist recognition for Legal Advisor of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards. Beyond her role as CEO, Emma is a regular industry speaker, mentor, and advisor, committed to shaping a more progressive, client-aligned, and sustainable legal profession.

Emma is also a passionate advocate for financial literacy and social impact, serving as a trustee on the board of the Just Finance Foundation, a UK charity that plays a critical role in empowering individuals and communities to build long-term financial resilience. She has also championed Diversity & Inclusion across the legal and finance sectors and is a strong supporter of initiatives that build equity into leadership pipelines.

Emma leads Cleveland & Co with a focus on clarity, integrity, and commercial intelligence, always pushing for better outcomes for clients, colleagues, and the industry at large. When she’s not building the future of legal services, she enjoys time with her husband, two daughters, and their golden doodle Snowball, always striving to model the balance of professional ambition and family fulfilment she values so deeply.