Sarah Lester

I have worked in the construction industry for 15+ years – shortly after university I moved to one of the largest regional main contractors in the UK working directly for their Managing Director, and quickly realised that the construction industry was the place for me.

I was fortunate enough to gain great insight into the workings of construction and have spent time on site.  I supported this experience by adding to my academic qualifications with a degree in construction management (BSc Hons), where I graduated top of my class and was awarded the construction student of the year trophy for academic excellence (something I remain very proud of, being the only trophy I have ever won!).

I was appointed Head of Legal at that same contractor in 2017, where I operated at board level and advised on risk management, conducted a programme of legal and commercial training, and oversaw all legal matters including insurances, bonds, PCGs, sub-contracts for subsidiary businesses and main contract negotiation, as well as advising on contentious matters and assisting with claims and adjudications.

I am highly experienced in the industry standard form contracts, including the JCT and NEC suites, as well as having considerable experience in reviewing bespoke terms. I am adept at risk profiling and confident in negotiating contractual matters to successful conclusion. I also have considerable experience in drafting documents, including main contracts, sub-contracts, security documents, consultant appointments and settlement agreements and have always been commended for my attention to detail.

My experience extends beyond main contracting to engineering and design, working with an integrated supply chain (piling, aggregates and waste, glazing, joinery, catering, doors, and M&E), and the breadth of my expertise extends to both large and small matters for some extremely specialised businesses.

I joined Archor in March 2022 as my first move into private practice. I am fortunate to work within a stellar team of construction law specialists, a number of whom I have been fortunate enough to work alongside in the past. My primary focus is on non-contentious construction matters where I can call upon my industry experience.