Meekal Hashmi is a seasoned legal and business leader with over 25 years of experience in governance, compliance, operations, and strategic leadership across the funds, banking, and family office sectors. His professional career reflects a consistent track record of establishing governance structures, managing multi-disciplinary teams, and guiding organisations through regulatory and operational complexities. Currently serving as the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at Cordiant Capital in London, he brings extensive board-level experience and a global perspective to his work.
Early Education and Academic Background
Meekal Hashmi’s academic foundation combines prestigious institutions and rigorous legal training:
- Dulwich College Preparatory School (1975 – 1983) – Early academic development.
- Westminster School, London (1983 – 1988) – Secondary education at one of the UK’s most recognised schools.
- The University of Edinburgh (1989 – 1992) – Undergraduate studies, laying the groundwork for his legal career.
- The College of Law, York (1992 – 1994) – Professional legal qualifications.
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (1994 – 1995) – LLM in International Financial and Banking Law. This advanced degree added depth to his expertise in regulatory, financial, and banking law.
This academic progression reflects a consistent focus on high-level legal education and preparation for complex corporate roles.
Early Career and Legal Training
Meekal Hashmi began his professional journey as a Trainee Solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins (1995 – 1997). His rotations included working in Muscat, Oman, in areas such as International Project Finance, Banking, Family Office, and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) advisory. This early exposure to cross-border legal work and high-value transactions helped shape his global outlook.
He then joined Clifford Chance LLP (1997 – 1999) as an Assistant in the banking department. At this “Magic Circle” firm, he gained experience in banking law, debt restructuring, corporate transactions, investment banking, and commercial banking matters. This period strengthened his technical legal skills and introduced him to large-scale, high-stakes legal work.
Expanding into Financial Services and Fund Management
In 1999, Meekal moved into the funds sector as Legal Counsel at The Citco Group Limited (1999 – 2001). Citco, the world’s largest hedge fund administrator, managed over $1 trillion in assets under administration at the time. His role involved structuring offshore hedge fund vehicles and preparing the necessary ancillary documentation, deepening his expertise in hedge fund administration and global financial services.
Following this, he joined Baring Asset Management (Barings) (2002 – 2006) as Legal Counsel. Here, he worked on structuring, maintenance, and distribution of public and private funds for institutional and retail investors, while also supporting private client services for high-profile and high-net-worth individuals. This broadened his experience in investment trusts, mutual funds, and family office operations.
Leadership at Old Mutual Global Investors
In 2006, Meekal took on a senior leadership role as General Counsel at Old Mutual Global Investors (2006 – 2012). He was responsible for the legal, compliance, and human resources departments and served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Additionally, he was a Board Director on the firm’s Cayman fund range. His tenure here demonstrated his ability to manage multi-functional teams and integrate governance into strategic decision-making.
Public Service as Magistrate
From 2007 to 2012, alongside his corporate role, Meekal served as a Magistrate/Justice of the Peace at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court. This voluntary judicial position required strong decision-making, impartiality, and a commitment to public service. It also reflected his broad legal expertise beyond corporate environments.
International Legal Leadership Roles
In 2012, Meekal became General Counsel for EMEA & LatAm at Neuberger Berman. His responsibilities included leading legal and compliance functions and serving as a Board Director of Neuberger Berman Europe Limited. He managed legal matters across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, further expanding his global leadership profile.
In 2014, he also served as a Non-Executive Director at ETM Group London, a restaurant and pub group. This role showcased his governance capabilities in the hospitality sector and his ability to advise on strategic business initiatives outside financial services.
Senior Global Counsel at Affiliated Managers Group (AMG)
From 2015 to 2020, Meekal served as Senior Global Counsel at AMG, overseeing legal and compliance functions across EMEA, Asia, and Australasia. He provided international regulatory support to 40 asset managers within the AMG Group and served as Board Director for AMG companies in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Dubai, and Hong Kong. His work at AMG solidified his reputation as an expert in global regulatory compliance and governance for multi-jurisdictional businesses.
General Counsel at S.P. Hinduja Banque Privée
Between April 2020 and June 2022, Meekal was General Counsel at S.P. Hinduja Banque Privée in Geneva, Switzerland. In this role, he managed legal, compliance, risk, human resources, and corporate secretarial functions for a regulated private bank. His expertise in private banking and family office operations was central to the role, alongside responsibilities for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
Current Role – Cordiant Capital
Since July 2022, Meekal Hashmi has been serving as General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer at Cordiant Capital. Cordiant is a private funds manager with a global portfolio spanning digital infrastructure, agriculture, and renewable energy assets. As Managing Director responsible for all non-investment functions, Meekal works closely with the founding partners to establish and oversee:
- Legal frameworks for global operations.
- Compliance systems to meet regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.
- Human resources management and leadership development.
- Operational functions that ensure business efficiency and governance.
His position combines legal expertise with strategic operational leadership, making him a key figure in guiding Cordiant’s growth and stability.
Skills and Expertise
Across his career, Meekal Hashmi has developed a wide range of professional skills, including:
- Legal & Compliance – Corporate law, banking law, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, marketing law, property law, and global regulatory frameworks.
- Governance & Board Experience – Serving as director on boards of operating companies and fund structures worldwide.
- Strategic Leadership – Business strategy, executive leadership, and operational oversight.
- Human Resources Management – Strategic HR leadership, policy development, HR operations, and talent management.
- Relationship Building – Building strategic partnerships and networks across financial services, asset management, and other industries.
- Sector Specialisations – Funds management, private banking, family offices, investment management, and asset structuring.
Notable Career Highlights
- Board Roles Across Multiple Jurisdictions – Serving as a director in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
- Multi-Sector Experience – Working across asset management, private banking, hedge funds, and hospitality governance.
- Public Service – Serving as a Magistrate for five years in Westminster.
- Global Regulatory Work – Leading compliance and governance for companies operating in EMEA, Asia, Australasia, and Latin America.
- Operational Leadership at Cordiant – Overseeing legal, HR, and operational frameworks for a global private funds manager.
Professional Approach
Meekal’s professional style combines legal precision with operational efficiency. He is known for establishing governance structures that balance regulatory compliance with business growth objectives. His career shows a consistent ability to integrate legal expertise with executive decision-making, ensuring that organisations remain both compliant and competitive.
Contribution to the Industry
Through his roles, Meekal Hashmi has contributed to strengthening corporate governance, advancing compliance frameworks, and supporting the global expansion of financial services firms. His work has helped firms navigate complex regulatory landscapes while maintaining operational stability. His leadership has also shaped teams that handle not only legal matters but also human resources, risk management, and corporate governance at the highest levels.
Summary
Meekal Hashmi’s career reflects a rare blend of legal expertise, operational leadership, and global governance experience. From training as a solicitor in the UK to leading legal and operational functions for multinational financial institutions, his work spans continents, sectors, and disciplines. Now at Cordiant Capital, he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping corporate governance and operational strategy for a global investment firm.
His professional journey stands as an example of how legal professionals can evolve into strategic business leaders, influencing not only the legal framework of an organisation but also its operational and human resources strategies.
FAQs
1. Who is Meekal Hashmi?
Meekal Hashmi is the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at Cordiant Capital, with over 25 years of legal and business leadership experience.
2. What industries has Meekal Hashmi worked in?
He has worked in asset management, private banking, hedge fund administration, family offices, and hospitality governance.
3. What is Meekal Hashmi’s educational background?
He holds an LLM in International Financial and Banking Law from the London School of Economics and trained as a solicitor in the UK.
4. Has Meekal Hashmi held board positions?
Yes. He has served as a director on boards across the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
5. What is his role at Cordiant Capital?
He oversees non-investment functions including legal, compliance, human resources, and operational strategy for the global investment firm.
