Practice Team

Alison Scanes is one of our Senior Practice Managers, she joined Matrix in 2015 and has been working in barristers’ chambers since 1992. She assists with the management of our practice staff and manages the members who work in employment, media and information, sports, and discrimination and equality law. Alison’s role incorporates the management, administration, business development and strategic direction of the team, she is a regular attendee at national and international industry conferences and events.

Alison lives in Suffolk and in her spare time enjoys socialising with her family and friends and is a keen traveller to warmer climates.

Chris joined Matrix in 2016 having worked in barristers’ chambers since 1997. He assists our Senior Practice Managers, ensuring the smooth running of our diverse team. His role includes diary management and fee negotiations, practice development and client relations. Chris also plays a pivotal role in the strategic business development of Matrix and its members.

Chris is noted as being ‘an exceptional clerk’ (Legal 500) who is ‘friendly, helpful and responsive’ (Legal 500), ‘really good at keeping on top of things’ (Chambers & Partners) and ‘very knowledgeable on the details of individual cases which installs instructing solicitors with the confidence he has the ability to match counsel to suitable cases’ (Legal 500). ‘Matrix keeps up a very good standard of clerking, particularly Chris Beard, who is responsive and helpful’ (Chambers & Partners) and is ‘excellent and works as equally hard as Counsel to progress a client’s matter with Counsel’s availability’ (Legal 500). More broadly, ‘the clerks, particularly Chris Beard, are extremely responsive and supportive. Nothing is too much trouble’ (Chambers & Partners) – Chris has ‘always been excellent at getting back to me and problem solving, I am very happy with the service’ (Chambers & Partners).

Away from Matrix, Chris spends most of his time with family and friends but otherwise tries to keep himself fit and has twice completed the London Marathon, raising over £7,500 for charity.

Paul Venables is one of Matrix’s Senior Practice Managers and is responsible for managing members in the criminal and international law teams. Working strategically with Rachel Holmes (CEO), the Senior Management Team and Practice Teams, Paul focuses on growing and maintaining excellent professional relationships with Matrix’s clients worldwide, including law firms, corporations, financial institutions, Governments, regulators, and individuals. He is very knowledgeable about what our members do and is especially adept at building the right barrister team to best deal with the complex, multi-faceted cases that Matrix excels in. He loves to meet clients to tell them what Matrix can offer.

Reflecting our multi-disciplinary practice, the barristers in Paul’s team also have expertise in sanctions law, international and commercial arbitration, extradition law, environmental law/ESG, regulatory law, public and constitutional law, human rights and civil liberties, police law, and inquiries and inquests.

Having worked in barristers’ chambers since 1987, Paul is noted in Chambers & Partners’ 2024 UK Bar Guide as “an outstanding clerk with decades of experience of managing relationships between solicitors and barristers”. When he’s not working, Paul enjoys running, eating, and visiting Europe’s more obscure vineyards.

Sam assists with managing the practices of members on Team T, including dealing with incoming enquiries and working on practice development projects within the criminal and international law teams.

According to Legal 500 (2022) Sam is “among the best in the business - very responsive, which makes it a seamless relationship between firms and chambers."

Outside of work, Sam’s favourite hobby is to visit new restaurants and she has a particular affiliation with the British Heart Foundation and enjoys volunteering at their events from time to time.

Lloyd has over 20 years' experience of managing barristers' practices both in London and in the regions, including 9 years as First Junior Criminal Clerk at 36 Group. He played a significant role in the development of the Extradition, Cybercrime and Consumer/Regulatory teams there.

According to the legal directories "...Lloyd is a standout clerk...", "...renowned for his ability to assist by allocating Counsel appropriately and efficiently...", "...He is knowledgeable about how courts operate and is able to easily assess clients' and Counsels' needs when approaching any particular matter...".

As a Practice Manager on Team T, Lloyd helps manage and develop the practices of all Team T members irrespective of which areas of law they work in. He likes to liaise closely with clients to ensure they receive the best possible service from us.

In his spare time Lloyd enjoys spending quality family time with his wife and young children. He also attempts to play golf, surf, snowboard, play guitar and unconditionally supports Southend Utd FC.

Tom commenced his practice management career in 2017 and in August 2023 joined Matrix from Blackstone Chambers as Assistant Practice Manager.

Alongside Paul, Sam and Lloyd, Tom handles the day-to-day management of Team T barristers and the development of their practices.

Tom was nominated for the 2023 Legal 500 Junior Clerk of the Year award.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys music, sports and socialising with friends and family.

Elizabeth Bousher is one of our Senior Practice Managers. Liz assists with the management of our practice staff and the barristers in Team X. She is responsible for managing the practices of members who specialise in commercial, EU and competition law, public, immigration, education, health and mental capacity, community care, human rights and environmental law. Liz’s role incorporates the administration, business development and strategic direction of the team.

She gained a Geography degree from Exeter University in 2008 and has previously worked as a member of the practice team at Hardwicke (now Gatehouse Chambers). Away from Matrix, Liz is a keen traveller and enjoys scuba diving when the water is warm enough.

Simon joined Matrix in 2013 having previously worked at other high-profile chambers and is responsible for the development and management of the practices of Team X members.

In his spare time his family keeps him busy, otherwise he enjoys socialising, travel and DIY.

Matt re-joined Matrix in June 2017, having worked with us previously from 2006-2014 on Practice Team M.

During his time away from Matrix, Matt worked for a high-profile family. This varied role included managing the practice of a KC specialising in international arbitration – as well as handling business and philanthropic relationships, and extensive travel across Europe, Asia, Africa and the US.

Matt assists the Senior Practice Manager on Team X with the running of the team; his role includes diary and enquiry management, fee negotiations and business development.

Outside of Matrix, Matt spends his time running around after his 4 young children!

Sarah joined Matrix in January 2022 having previously worked at Keating Chambers. She is responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix’s members.

Sarah has a degree in English Language and Linguistics from the University of Kent and in her spare time, enjoys socialising with her family and friends as well as travelling.

According to the directories: she is “very responsive, professional, and friendly, and able to organise and orchestrate with ease.”

Joe joined Matrix in May 2026 having previously worked at 5RB. He is responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix’s members.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys live music and watching or playing Cricket and Football.

Nina joined Matrix in January 2021 having previously worked at Blackstone Chambers.

Nina works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Ben Rinaldi and Lucy Hemmens managing the practices of Team M barristers. This includes distribution of work, managing counsels’ diaries, fee negotiation and working on practice development projects.

Outside of Matrix, Nina enjoys travelling and is an avid baker.

Ben joined Matrix in May 2026 having previously worked at Devereux Chambers, 11 New Square and 9 Stone buildings.

Ben works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Nina Russell and Lucy Hemmens managing the practices of Team M barristers. This includes distribution of work, managing counsels’ diaries, fee negotiation and working on practice development projects.

Ben’s client service has been recognised within the leading directories:

(Legal 500) ‘’Ben Rinaldi is good – friendly, helpful and responsive’’.
(Legal 500) ‘’Within the team, Ben Rinaldi is great to work with’’.

Away from Matrix, Ben enjoys spending time with friends and going to the gym.

Lucy joined the practice desk in 2025 and assists Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Nina Russell and Ben Rinaldi with the day-to-day management of counsel’s diaries and the development of Team M barristers’ practices.

Lucy has a degree in law from the University of Exeter, where she studied Commercial Law, Intellectual Property and Medical Ethics in her final year. After graduating in 2023, Lucy travelled across Southeast Asia, Australasia, and America before moving to London.

In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, walking her dogs and spending time with friends at various events.

Charlotte joined Matrix in 2026, having started her practice management career at Devereux Chambers.

She assists Elizabeth Bousher, Sarah Reidie, Simon Gardner, Matthew Leitch and Joe Mosley with the day-to-day management of Team X barristers’ diaries and the development of their practices.

Charlotte graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2025. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, and socialising with friends.

Abbie joined the practice desk in 2026 and assists Paul, Sam, Lloyd and Tom with the day-to-day management of Team T barristers and the development of their practices.

Before joining Matrix, Abbie graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2023 with a degree in Sociology and Criminology. She did a year abroad in Australia working at a law firm in the Gold Coast. Her hobbies include Pilates and travelling.