Meet the Team

The management team offers over 60 year's industry experience, providing unparalleled and in depth knowledge of our members and their expertise.

Owen Lawrence

Chief Executive

Owen has worked for over 20 years in the international arbitration sector, working with leading law firms, lawyers, arbitrators, mediators, barristers and arbitral institutions worldwide.

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He has managed the international arbitration departments at two of London’s leading commercial sets of barristers chambers; in those roles, Owen worked sympathetically with lawyers in managing their careers in international arbitration throughout that time, from their first appointments as arbitrators to retirement.

His network and contacts are global, with connections across the UK and in critical jurisdictions outside it, including the Middle East and North Africa, North and South America, the Asia-Pacific South East Asia regions, and Australasia.

He is exceptionally experienced in managing career transitions, including those lawyers seeking to move from combining advocacy and arbitral work to arbitrator-only practices. 

His experience includes managing world-class arbitration facilities, developing, managing, selecting appropriate online arbitration platforms, and providing management services for arbitrators.

Owen has a track record of success in managing people’s careers and regularly commentates in industry publications, and speaks at conferences and webinars for leading law firms and institutions.

Away from Arbitra, Owen is a member of the Africa Board for Save the Children and in his spare time a keen cyclist and rugby fan (particularly rugby league). 

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Rachel Bidmead

Managing Director

Rachel is Managing Director of Arbitra, responsible for company operations and the day to day running of members diaries, administration and marketing. 

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Prior to joining Arbitra, Rachel has spent the past decade working in the legal industry. Most recently in a managerial role at a world class arbitration facility in London. Rachel was responsible for the day to day running of the centre, liaising with major international law firms across the globe, including royalty and high profile clients. 

Rachel was a pioneer of online dispute resolution and driver behind the development of a leading online hearing platform that served governments and law firms around the world.  

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Demi Robinson

Managing Director

Demi Robinson is Managing Director of Arbitra, responsible for the day to day running of members diaries, administration, marketing and developing members practices.

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Prior to joining Arbitra, Demi was fundamental in the development of another Arbitrators list and before that, was responsible for managing and assisting the arbitrators diaries at magic circle barristers chambers, Brick Court.

Demi is well versed in instituional rules and procedures. 

She has completed the IBC's BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in Chambers Administration.

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Ben Rigby

Media Consultant

Ben Rigby is Arbitra’s media consultant. He works as a freelance legal journalist and copywriter. The former editor-in-chief of Commercial Dispute Resolution magazine (CDR) and editor of African Law & Business magazine previously worked as a staff reporter on Legal Business and In-House Lawyer magazines. He was formerly the Bar Editor of the Legal 500 UK.

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He has written regularly for Global Legal Post, Managing Partner, Solicitors’ Journal, the Law Society Gazette, The Lawyer, Legal Week, IBA In-House Perspective, IBA Global Insight, Africa Legal, Tax Journal and various young lawyer magazines.

A non-practising solicitor, he has worked in general practice at the Law Society of England & Wales and the UK government.

Ben has been active in legal networks and associations for over 25 years, having held leadership roles in the European Young Bar Association, the London Young Solicitors Group, and a forerunner of the Junior Lawyers’ Division. He also served as a trustee of the Law Society’s Charity for twelve years. He is a member of Clare College, Cambridge’s Alumni Council (1989).

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