Richard Swinburn is a highly experienced international commercial lawyer, focussing on the energy and natural resources sector. His 35 years' experience has given him an excellent knowledge of international trade, deep industry sector knowledge and strong relationships with people and companies across the sector globally. Throughout his career, Richard has supported many of the world’s leading companies operating in the sector – be they producers, traders or financiers of commodities of all kinds. He loves the sector and the practical, commercial, political, regulatory and legal challenges inherent in bringing raw materials to market.
Richard regularly provides support to clients (a) when considering a new business opportunity and wanting to assess the risks associated with that opportunity (b) having assessed the risks, when structuring and documenting the transaction and; (c) once a contract or transaction is in place, but counterparty risk or market conditions are negatively impacting its execution. Much of Richard’s time is spent facilitating relationships, working across borders and across business cultures – and above all finding solutions.
Alongside his lawyering, Richard has enjoyed various leadership roles (both in a Board and an executive capacity) in his global law firm, through a period of enormous change and growth both in the industry and in his firm. Richard is a very experienced mentor and recently became an accredited business coach.
Richard joined the board of Levin Sources in March 2024. Commenting on his appointment, Richard said:
“I am delighted to join Levin Sources as a non-executive director. Estelle, Holger and their team have built a unique, innovative and respected consultancy. It is a time of immense but necessary change in the sector and in the supply chains on which we depend today. It will be a privilege to learn from them, to use the experience I have gained over my long career in the sector to help Levin Sources influence the direction of travel towards more just, valuable and sustainable supply chains and to help the company as it embarks on its own next growth phase.”
