Practical LawConferences

For the 2 years to May 2015, Nick was one of a small team that led the rescue of The Co-operative Group, acting as Chief of Staff to the CEO, and as the Chief External Affairs Officer. He joined just after the Co-operative Bank fell from grace in April 2013 and played a pivotal role in securing the first ever bank bail-in, avoiding the alternative tax payer bail-out. Nick went on to take responsibility for all of the Co-op Group’s external affairs, leading teams focused on engagement with regulators, government, PR, media, membership and marketing. Owned by its 8m members, the Co-op operated 4,500 outlets with around 87,000 employees across its retail and consumer services divisions.

Nick joined The Co-op from Kingfisher plc, a FTSE100 international retailer, where he was a member of the Retail Board and held a number of executive positions over the period 2007-13. Latterly he was the Group Corporate Affairs Director, leading the team that developed and launched the market leading sustainability programme, ‘Net Positive’. He was also responsible for the Group’s Government Affairs and Regulatory programme. From 2007-2012 Nick was Company Secretary to the plc Board, Group Legal & Corporate Responsibility Director, and B&Q’s Legal Director from 2009-2011. Prior to joining Kingfisher, Nick was a member of the Group Executive, Company Secretary and Group Legal Director of Emap plc, a FTSE100 media conglomerate. Nick has held a number of other corporate in-house legal roles, having qualified as a solicitor at Linklaters & Paines in 1993.

Nick was appointed to the Natural Environment Research Council in 2013, and is also Chair of its Audit & Risk Assurance Committee. Previously, he was vice-chairman of the GC100 (the general counsel and company secretaries of the FTSE 100), a member of the British Retail Consortium’s Policy Board, a member of OFGEM’s Sustainable Development Advisory Group, the treasurer of The British American Project, a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators’ Forum, and a member of the Companies Committee of the CBI.

Catherine is Senior Legal Counsel at Skyscanner Limited and regularly deals with commercial contracts, disputes, regulatory and compliance issues. Catherine has just returned from a secondment to Skyscanner’s Singapore office where she gained valuable insight into the legal and compliance issues affecting the APAC region. Catherine was part of the team who worked on Skyscanner’s successful appeal to the CMA in relation to online hotel bookings in 2014.

Prior to Skyscanner, Catherine worked for Wolfson Microelectronics (now part of Cirrus) in a similar capacity.

Graeme manages the day to day work of the legal team at Skyscanner and advises on various matters in over 40 jurisdictions globally.  Particular areas of interest include M&A, joint ventures, IP, public affairs, competition issues and regulatory matters.  Prior to joining Skyscanner, Graeme practiced in the Edinburgh corporate team at Pinsent Masons and acted as an external advisor to Skyscanner.

Amanda Lewis is a partner in Dentons’ Technology, Media and Telecoms Department. She specializes in advising on all types of IT and commercial agreements. She has also advised on numerous commercial and IT disputes, working with litigation colleagues where relevant. She specializes in advising customers and suppliers in the retail sector.

Amanda is recognized by Legal 500 and Chambers guides and is highly recommended by “Which Lawyer?”. In 2012 Chambers UK wrote “Sources say that Amanda Lewis “is fantastic, a breath of fresh air – what’s most surprising about her is how creative she is in finding the right solution for our legal issues.” In 2013 Chambers UK wrote: “Amanda was described by one client as “extremely dynamic, dedicated and bighearted.” Much of her work is for clients in … retail”. In 2014 Chambers UK wrote “She negotiates well and works quickly, but with such attention to detail.” Amanda was chosen as one of the HOT 100 Lawyers in the UK by the Lawyer in January 2010, which stated: “Having specialised in outsourcing since 1986 and worked on more than 190 deals, Lewis can reasonably claim to have written the book on the subject”.

Amanda is the author of the leading textbook “Business Services, Partnering and Outsourcing Contracts – A Practical Guide”, the fourth edition of which was published by Thomson Reuters in January 2013. The guide covers best practice both in the UK and in 12 other countries in services, partnering, collaboration and outsourcing projects and is designed to advise boards of the key legal and business issues they need to know about. Amanda speaks regularly at seminars and conferences.

In her spare time, Amanda is a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation, mentoring a fashion business in Vietnam.

Claude is Deputy General Counsel at Alliance Healthcare, the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and International Retail division of Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq:  WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise in the world.  Prior to joining WBA in 2012, Claude spent nine years at Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, in a range of corporate, zone and country roles in Europe, Asia and the Americas.  He qualified as a solicitor with Simmons & Simmons (Corporate) in 2000, following seats in London and Hong Kong.  Claude studied French and Spanish at Oxford University and plays the piano and organ.

Richard is one of the first exponents of litigation PR in the UK and is well known amongst leading journalists for his handling of highly sensitive national and international news stories.

He focuses on international profile raising for corporates and individuals, reputation management and litigation PR work.

Richard has over 20 years PR experience working in emerging markets and highly sensitive environments, including Russia and the CIS.

Steve is passionate about business, privacy, risk and digital technologies and has more than 20 years of experience in designing and delivering global privacy and security transformation programmes. This experience involved managing globally dispersed teams, landing global data protection compliance regimes, developing information security strategies and implementing IT security technologies.  I have developed a deep understanding on the subject of privacy law, information protection and can provide practical solutions to tackle complex challenges. I have accumulated vast experience as an implementation expert, an author, consultant, auditor, and am seen as a trusted advisor for various businesses across different industry sectors and continents.

Having once served as interim CISO for Unilever, and completed similar leadership assignments whilst at Deloitte, PwC, Siemens and Capita, Steve has gained a full appreciation of what is required to get the job done in a cost effective and timely fashion. Throughout my career, Steve’s natural ability to lead from the front, coach team members, take responsibility with courage and deliver on promises is what sets him out from the pack.

Steve has also built a strong network of Chief Information Security Officers and Chief Privacy Officers, industry experts, security product developers, and regulators, and have been invited to present at many conferences, and lead groups on relevant topics. Being at the forefront of our industry allows me to map and apply the latest trends in technology, digital, regulation, Cybersecurity, social media platforms, resilience, third party management, fraud and vendor contractual negotiations.

During my role as a Chief Privacy Officer, I have brought together a large team of security and privacy experts to work together and address the key risks that face our business. I have done this by building a strong network of relationships with the Unilever Leadership Executive and other key members of the Board and by working closely with their teams to help create pragmatic risk reduction solutions.

Steve is a published author, regular speaker and an expert on complex digital threat environments.

Jamie has worked in the advertising industry since his career began.  He joined Unilever in 2007, after 6 years advising ad agencies at Lewis Silkin and a brief stint representing artists in the music business.

As General Counsel – Global Marketing, Media and eCommerce, Jamie leads a specialist team providing legal and commercial support to Unilever’s Central Marketing and Communications Office.  He advises on the legal and regulatory implications of 21^st century marketing, with a focus on new platforms, emerging technologies, eCommerce/mCommerce strategies, new models for content creation/curation, and engaging tech start-ups through the Unilever Foundry.  Jamie is responsible for Unilever’s contractual relationships with global partners and suppliers, from the world’s largest media and advertising agencies, social networks, content platforms and ISPs, to fledgling digital service providers.

Jamie’s areas of expertise include intellectual property law, advertising, marketing and music law, privacy, image rights, talent engagement and sponsorship.  He has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property and is a certified privacy professional (IAPP(E)).  Jamie is a Board Director for the Institute of Promotional Marketing and a member of the World Federation of Advertising Digital Governance Exchange and the AIM Digital Agenda Committee.

Rob is a solicitor who trained and qualified at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, where he worked before joining M&S in 2009.  He heads the Regulatory legal team which advises the business on all aspects of regulatory law including: health and safety law, food standards and safety legislation, privacy and data protection law, competition law, anti bribery and corruption requirements, consumer credit regulation and liquor licensing.

Rob has a particular expertise in data protection and privacy laws, the Bribery Act and the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.  He interacts with all parts of the business in the UK and overseas, including store operations, head office business units, and Executive and Non-Executive Directors.  Rob works closely with regulators including the Information Commissioner’s Office, Groceries Code Adjudicator, Competition & Markets Authority, and the Financial Conduct Authority.  He acts on behalf of the company on any investigations, enforcement, prosecution and civil disputes arising from alleged breaches of regulatory law.

Kate Anthony Wilkinson is a Solicitor and Head of Group Legal for Mulberry, an English luxury leather goods manufacturer and retailer, famous for its iconic leather bags such as the Bayswater and Alexa bags, often seen on the arms of celebrities around the world. She is responsible for all legal facets of Mulberry’s global business, including providing legal advice in relation to its shop roll out programme as well as its e-commerce platform and is also responsible for Mulberry’s brand protection. Mulberry has an established global presence, with shops in Europe, USA and Far East, as well as its strong presence in the UK. Previously to Mulberry, Kate was General Counsel for Alcan Aluminium, a Canadian mining, metals and packing group, and has been Legal Counsel for a number of packaging and metals companies as well as previously being in a private law firm. Kate is a prolific writer of articles and blogs for a variety of legal and commercial matters for UK publications.

Simon Enoch, 55, is a solicitor and company secretary with over 25 years’ experience of Corporate issues including joint ventures, M&A and  high profile corporate public relations in many European jurisdictions, the US, Japan and Australia for a number of International Companies including Kingfisher. He qualified as a solicitor in 1988

He has been the Company Secretary and General Legal Counsel at Darty plc since the demerger from Kingfisher in 2003.

Babette Märzheuser-Wood is Head of the Retail and Franchise Group at Dentons. She specialises in global franchise, distribution and concession agreements and IP-driven joint ventures. She has substantial experience advising retailers on international expansion strategies including multi-channel strategies, franchising and licensing, wholesale distribution and e-commerce.

Babette has transactional experience in over 100 countries.  Recent deals include work in all major emerging markets (Russia, India, China, Brazil and South Africa) as well as in the Middle East and Africa. She also advises clients on innovative structures for international expansion in the global marketplace.

Paul is Head of Legal Affairs at Home Retail Group plc, parent company of Argos, Homebase and Habitat and the UK’s largest home and general merchandise retailer, where he leads a team of lawyers and compliance professionals that support and advise Group companies on all areas of commercial law, including contractual relationships, litigation, data protection, intellectual property/brand protection, general legal and regulatory compliance and risk management, as well as the consumer law issues faced by retailers around pricing, advertising and product safety. Prior to joining Argos, Paul was an in-house lawyer with Blick Plc. Paul attended the University of Huddersfield and qualified as a Barrister in 1994.

Stephen is the Head of the Competition and Anti-Trust Practice at RPC.  He has extensive experience advising across a broad range of EU and UK competition law matters, including complex cartel investigations, merger inquiries and market investigations.  He has recently advised key client RSA throughout the UK market investigation into private motor insurance.  Other recent cases include advising the MyFerryLink business before the CMA, Competition Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal in respect of the Eurotunnel/SeaFrance merger inquiry and Sports Direct on a number of merger and anti-trust issues.  Stephen also has experience on the regulator side of the fence, having spent time at the UK Communications regulator, Ofcom.

Adam advises and represents clients in the media & intellectual property field. Before private practice, he worked for many years as a barrister and also in-house for a national newspaper group. He advises clients on reputation management, including libel, privacy and harassment issues, and on protecting and enforcing IP Rights, particularly copyright, designs and trade marks. Adam is very well-known within the fashion and luxury brand industry, representing retailers, young designers, photographers and established brands. He is visiting lecturer at Conde Nast College of Fashion, and the Entrepreneurship MBA at Imperial College.

Richard is one of the first exponents of litigation PR in the UK and is well known amongst leading journalists for his handling of highly sensitive national and international news stories.

He focuses on international profile raising for corporates and individuals, reputation management and litigation PR work.

Richard has over 20 years PR experience working in emerging markets and highly sensitive environments, including Russia and the CIS.

Scott Singer is the Head of Dentons’ Technology, Media and Telecoms sector, and an expert in the retail sector.  He is recognised as a leading authority on technology and major outsourcing and other commercial transactions, IP and data protection.

Scott has acted for many household names on large scale commercial deals involving intellectual property, distribution agreements, marketing agreements, franchise agreements, design and manufacturing agreements and consultancy agreements. Scott also advises on all aspects of IT and outsourcing transactions, software law and the exploitation of databases and acts for a large number of leading IT users and suppliers.

With experience in private practice, public enforcement and in-house, Edward advises Sainsbury’s Operating Board and senior stakeholders on commercial and competition law matters.

He enjoys managing a large in-house team of commercial and competition lawyers. In a challenging cost environment, he ensures advice is aligned with Sainsbury’s risk appetite and brand exposure.  With a strong competition background, compliance/risk management across grocery, mobile, entertainment and various JVs is a key focus area.

He oversaw the introduction of the “industry changing” 2011 grocery adjudicator and has ongoing management of key regulator relationships such as the Competition & Markets Authority. Over the last year he has led a multidisciplinary team on high profile litigation for damages against MasterCard and Visa.

He was recently listed in the The Lawyer’s Hot 100 In house lawyer 2015.

Edward lives in Wimbledon with his wife and three children.

Lisa advises on the full range of employment issues, including advising on executive terminations, sensitive discrimination, whistleblowing and other employment claims as well as day to day matters. She has significant experience in advising retail clients on issues affecting their Head Office, stores and distribution centres, for example, mass redundancies, changes to terms and conditions and challenges by HMRC in relation to payment of the National Minimum Wage. She also has significant experience of advising retailers in relation to trade union matters including challenging industrial action, defending claims for breaches of individual and collective trade union rights and union recognition and de-recognition.

Anna Shelton-Agar is Senior Legal Counsel at award winning curated online marketplace, notonthehighstreet.com

A New Zealander by birth, Shelton-Agar graduated from the University of Sydney with an honours degree in Law and is admitted in Australia. From 2009 to 2013 Anna worked in the Intellectual Property group at global law firm DLA Piper in Sydney and Canberra, advising on all aspects of the intellectual property life cycle.

Shelton-Agar currently advises notonthehighstreet.com on commercialisation, marketing and business strategies in the quickly developing and broad area of ecommerce regulation. Recently, her role has focused on the business’ international expansion and growth. In 2013, Shelton-Agar led the legal work stream on the successful launch of notonthehighstreet.com’s first international business notonthehighstreet.de in Germany.

Richard Kemp is widely recognised as one of the world’s top IT lawyers.  He has built an outstanding reputation for advice that combines commerciality and client service with innovative legal solutions to the business challenges of technology development, deployment and regulation.  As a law firm leader, Richard has a track record of achievement and innovation, setting up Kemp & Co in 1997 as a sole practitioner and leading the practice into the top rank of UK IT firms in 2011 before setting up Kemp IT Law in 2014.  As an IT lawyer, Richard has won numerous industry awards for legal service.  He has been top ranked individually for IT law in the UK legal directories since 1997 and in the ‘Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers’ since 2001. Kemp IT law won its first award as Finance Monthly’s UK IT Firm of the Year in 2015.

Evelyn Niitväli is one of the co-founding partners of the Frankfurt and Brussels based antitrust boutique firm RCAA. She specialises in German and European antitrust/competition law, with a particular focus on merger control cases, cartel investigations and private antitrust litigation. Evelyn also regularly advises clients regarding competition law issues in their day-to-day business, such as distribution and licensing arrangements. She has extensive experience in a number of industries, including consumer goods and retail, automotive as well as IT and telecommunications.

Evelyn started her career at Hengeler Mueller in Düsseldorf and Brussels. Prior to founding RCAA, she was a partner at an antitrust boutique firm in Munich and headed the German antitrust practice of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Frankfurt.