From Vet Dreams to Integrity Juggernaut: Alex Palmer’s Journey from Harrods, Rio Tinto & Newcrest Mining to Founding Adari Consulting

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 HarrodsWhat 11 years at Allens taught her about litigation and opportunityLessons from leading regulatory investigations at Rio Tinto and NewcrestWhy compliance isn’t about rules—it’s about culture and valuesHow subcultures, leadership pressure, and growth can erode corporate integrityWhy organisations should start early with governance and risk frameworksAlex’s vision of building integrity juggernauts—companies that thrive by doing the right thingWhether you’re a lawyer, business leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on culture, governance, and leadership in practice.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction & Alex’s backstory2:00 – From aspiring vet to law school4:00 – Life at Harrods and early employment law practice6:00 – Moving to Australia & joining Allens8:00 – Transition to in-house counsel at Rio Tinto & Newcrest12:00 – Building global ethics and compliance frameworks17:00 – How leadership and subcultures shape corporate values22:00 – The challenge of proactive compliance & governance28:00 – Accountability, culture, and daily habits of integrity30:00 – When growing businesses should invest in frameworks35:00 – Alex’s experience as a founding member of the League39:00 – How to connect with Alex & closing remarksConnect with Alex Palmer: adariconsulting.com Connect with LoftyJOIN THE LEAGUE