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About

I lead Fladgate’s Commercial, Sports & IP team and specialise in the UK and international sports sector. I have extensive experience in working with the full spectrum of stakeholders across an array of issues in the broad sports field, including national and international governing bodies, funders/investors, teams and clubs, alongside rights holders, brands and agencies. Through this, I also work within related areas such as music, entertainment and experiential exhibitions.

Having also previously trained as a tax lawyer to both individual and corporate clients, this has led to me working with a range of owners and investors. I also advise a number of HNW families in their strategic plans and affairs, including via one of our sister businesses, Walgate Family Office. I have particular expertise in helping to effect change to governance and operating structures in family businesses and trust structures, and today fulfil a trusted adviser role to several well-known UK and international families.

Working in sport as a lawyer means that your horizon is unlimited in terms of opportunity and work types and it must be one of the fastest changing industries I know of. Probably the greatest part is that my clients are extremely passionate about what they do and why they do it and this genuinely makes concluding deals and solving problems for them all the more satisfying. Sports law is also very multifaceted, meaning that there are many legal disciplines involved. To that end, I’ve only ever been able to achieve success by having a lot of talented people around me and that is a key reason why Fladgate has been a great home for me from day one.

My family also has quite a few ties to the wine industry and through that, I continue a great love of collecting wine (and of course drinking it). My absolute favourite thing is helping friends to discover new wines and from some of the farther flung parts of the world. I otherwise like anything that involves being outside, but skiing would probably be the top of the pick when I am lucky enough to do it.

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Experience

  • Advised on LimeLight Sports’ acquisition of Virgin Sports. Virgin Sport is a mass participation business and Limelight’s sports marketing group will take over the three major events which were run by Virgin Sport - the Asics London 10k, the Oxford Half Marathon, and the Hackney Half Marathon.
  • Advised Surrey County Cricket Club on a number of matters, including the planning and hosting of significant tournament, ‘The Hundred’.
  • Advising leading energy drink brand Monster Energy in relation to Monster Energy’s largest-ever football sponsorship program.
  • Advised 23 Capital on over 20 transactions with a total deal value in excess of £500 million.
  • lvaro Morata on his transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea Football Club in a record value deal.

Expertise

Sports & Esports

Leisure

Commercial Law

Venture Capital

Technology

Outsourcing

Corporate Law

Charities & Philanthropy

Finance

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