ICC's executive board hires Justin D'Agostino

ICC's executive board hires Justin D'Agostino

The appointment of Justin D'Agostino is welcomed at a period of critical business, economic and industry.

In a move that is expected to help Herbert Smith Freehills' chief executive increase his profile in the business community, Justin D'Agostino has been appointed to the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

At the annual meeting of the ICC World Council in Mexico City on Tuesday (14 June), D'Agostino was elected to a three-year position. He joins an array of senior international business figures on the board, which sets the organization's strategy, policy and finances.

As a member of the ICC's executive board, it is a significant opportunity at such a critical point in the lives of companies, industries and economies, as well as their influence over people and their communities.

One of the most uncertain landscapes for corporations and communities in most of our lives has come from the aftershocks of the pandemic combined with the rapid technological, geopolitical and climate changes."

In addition, D'Agostino continues to be affiliated with the ICC, which represents more than 45 million companies in 100 countries and works to promote trade and commerce, as well as lobby the World Trade Organization, the United Nations and the G20 group.

His background includes being a former member of the International Court of Arbitration with the ICC, serving as the inaugural chair of the Belt and Road Commission aimed at hearing Belt and Road-related disputes and on the ICC Governing Body on Disputes.

The ICC's executive board also includes Geneva-based White & Case partner Anne Veronique Schlaepfer, a leading lawyer at the Paris-based International Court of Arbitration and Lebanon's Nayla Comair-Obeid, a founding partner at Obeid Law Firm also serves as director.

He is the former chief executive officer and partner of Australian independent firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, according to the ICC's secretary-general, John Denton.

In addition to being an openly gay leader of a major law firm, D'Agostino's new role at the ICC will complement his ability as a champion of diversity: his firm has also been named its leading legal partner for next year's WorldPride festival in Sydney, which takes place this year.

The National Association for Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge's steering committee, which aims to increase the number of women appointed as arbitrators, won his role as co-chair in January.

In addition to being appointed as HSF's global CEO, D'Agostino is also appointed head of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mark Rigotti will also assume a leadership role in the business sector as his predecessor.