In this episode I sit down with Alex Palmer, founder of Adari Consulting and a Self-Employed Lawyers League founding member.
Alex’s story begins with a dream of becoming a vet, but instead she found her calling in law—building a career that took her from Harrods in London to top-tier firm Allens in Melbourne, and then into the boardrooms of global mining giants Rio Tinto and Newcrest Mining.
For decades, Alex was the corporate “firefighter”—stepping in when things went wrong. But as she shares in this conversation, she realised prevention is more powerful than cure.
Today, through Adari Consulting, she helps organisations build integrity frameworks that protect culture, reputation, and people—before the fires even start.
We talk about:
The unexpected path from aspiring vet to employment lawyer at Harrods
What 11 years at Allens taught her about litigation and opportunity
Lessons from leading regulatory investigations at Rio Tinto and Newcrest
Why compliance isn’t about rules—it’s about culture and values
How subcultures, leadership pressure, and growth can erode corporate integrity
Why organisations should start early with governance and risk frameworks
Alex’s vision of building integrity juggernauts—companies that thrive by doing the right thing
Whether you’re a lawyer, business leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on culture, governance, and leadership in practice.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & Alex’s backstory
2:00 – From aspiring vet to law school
4:00 – Life at Harrods and early employment law practice
6:00 – Moving to Australia & joining Allens
8:00 – Transition to in-house counsel at Rio Tinto & Newcrest
12:00 – Building global ethics and compliance frameworks
17:00 – How leadership and subcultures shape corporate values
22:00 – The challenge of proactive compliance & governance
28:00 – Accountability, culture, and daily habits of integrity
30:00 – When growing businesses should invest in frameworks
35:00 – Alex’s experience as a founding member of the League
39:00 – How to connect with Alex & closing remarks
Connect with Alex Palmer: