FIS is delighted to celebrate the shortlisting of members PPG Industries Europe, and Thirdway, in the In-House Legal Team category at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe. The awards, now in their 20th year, recognise excellence in legal innovation and highlight the impact of forward-thinking legal teams across Europe.

Recognising legal innovation that drives industry change

The Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe, hosted by the Financial Times in partnership with RSGI, honour legal professionals who apply creativity and influence to solve modern challenges to help guide clients towards agile, sustainable outcomes. The ceremony is to be held at London’s Natural History Museum, 18 September and brings together general counsel, legal leaders, and law firms from across Europe to celebrate the profession’s evolving role in shaping business and society.

Among a shortlist that includes illustrious names such as Axa, Barclays, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, Sky UK, UNICEF, and Citibank, PPG Industries Europe and Thirdway have been recognised for their work in intelligent contract design and simplification in the construction sector — a growing area of interest in the face of industry complexity and fragmentation.

A return to clarity and simplicity

Anthony Armitage, Legal Counsel at Thirdway, said: “We are proud to be shortlisted for our work in intelligent contract design and Simplification in the construction sector.

“In 1866, the building industry introduced its first standard form of contract, marking a pivotal step towards greater clarity and fairness. Since then, that standardisation has been eroded by decades of amendments, increasing complexity, and bespoke drafting.

At Thirdway, we’re using AI not to disrupt tradition, but to recover it. We’re applying modern tools to return to the core principles of clarity, simplicity, and balance that defined the original 1866 approach and reimagining them for today.”

Anthony also acknowledged the role of industry collaboration: “We couldn’t have achieved this without the remarkable support of FIS and the Conflict Avoidance Coalition.”

FIS welcomes the industry recognition

FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee, praised the achievement saying: “It is so encouraging to see Finishes and Interiors Sector Members Thirdway and PPG Architectural Coatings UK & Ireland leading the charge for change around improving the way we simplify and better use contracts in construction. The first and most critical step in cultural reform is rethinking the way we set up our relationships and creating a transparent and collaborative approach that builds trust rather than tension.

“Special mention for Anthony Armitage, Legal Counsel at Thirdway, who has been such a powerful advocate of change within our community and is also leading the charge by chairing the Conflict Avoidance Coalition Contracts Committee — this is well deserved.”

To read more about the awards visit: <Bold URL> https://lawyerseurope.live.ft.com/