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Mark Watts

Partner - Data protection & privacy

Mark Watts

Mark heads Bristows’s data protection practice and is also leader of the firm’s technology sector group. He has a doctorate in semiconductor physics from the University of Oxford and specialises in how data protection works in a technology context, particularly new technologies, such as cloud computing, AI, facial recognition and Adtech. For several years, Mark was in-house at IBM where he held various roles, including that of Global Data Privacy Counsel.

Mark’s practice comprises helping clients to establish proportionate and pragmatic compliance programs globally, product counselling for several of the largest technology companies and representing companies in connection with regulatory enforcement. Mark has defended companies in several of the largest, most high profile regulatory enforcement actions in the world, both in respect of data breaches and also data misuse cases.

Credentials

  • BSc (Hons) Physics, University of Wales
  • D.Phil Semiconductor Physics, University of Oxford
  • Qualified 1995
  • Partner 2003
  • Joint Managing Partner 2010 – 2016

Publications

Data Protection publication

Read here

What others say

"We work primarily with Mark Watts and Jamie Drucker. Both are highly knowledgeable and professional, and have a very strong focus on understanding client requirements." Legal 500 2025
"Mark will pinpoint the key issues and is good with the regulators." Chambers and Partners 2024
"He has a deep understanding of the complex issues and the challenges to be solved to get results." Chambers and Partners 2024
“Mark Watts is by far one of the best professionals I have had the opportunity to work with at a world level. His proactive and pragmatic approaches are unique in the market and allow companies to thrive in challenging times.” Legal 500 2024
“Effortless mastery of the subject and stakeholder management.” Legal 500 2024
“Mark Watts is an excellent lawyer to work with. He is very practical with his advice and he adapts as necessary to the style of his clients.” Legal 500 2024
"Mark Watts is revered for his work on high-profile data privacy litigation involving GDPR and cyber incident response." Who's Who Legal Data 2023
“Mark Watts demonstrates an exceptional knowledge of compliance and enforcement in the data protection market and offers extensive experience in the representation of clients before regulatory bodies. He counts some of the best-known global companies, including tech giants, among his clients.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Mark Watts leads Bristows' data privacy team. He advises technology companies and their customers on the development of projects at the frontiers of computer science, and their compliance with data protection and internet regulation regimes.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Mark is the best privacy counsel in the UK and Europe, and possibly the world.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Mark is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely deserves his reputation as one of the leading data protection experts in the UK market.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“He understands the complexity and/or importance and is able to breakdown and explain the most complex of issues to seasoned privacy attorneys and to non-attorneys alike.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“He has such respect for his clients and will pivot their attention or allegiance at the first opportune moment.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Mark is very sharp in terms of the technology and the law.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Mark is a great communicator, extremely reliable, pragmatic and has a depth of knowledge of privacy law and its practical implementation.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Specialist Mark Watts leads the firm's data protection team and handles a range of data and privacy matters for numerous multinational traditional media publishers.” Legal 500 2023
“Mark Watts is one, if not the, best solicitors in the industry. Working in the space of privacy for 20 years, it’s refreshing to get insights from Mark on complex data processing arrangements and guidance on domestic challenges that are culturally driven rather than DPA or objective focused.” Legal 500 2023
“‘Mark Watts is a real superstar. His deep technical expertise pared with a very commercial and pragmatic approach and calm and reassuring delivery are a great combination.” Legal 500 2023
“He has a great client base and he's known as a pragmatic lawyer.” Chambers and Partners 2022
“Mark Watts understands the raw business of technology, data protection and the academics of intellectual property, and he's also a really nice human being.” Chambers and Partners 2022
“Mark Watts demonstrates an exceptional knowledge of compliance and enforcement in the data protection market and offers extensive experience in the representation of clients before regulatory bodies. He counts some of the most well-known global companies." Chambers and Partners 2022
“Mark Watts stands out across the industry; he's pragmatic, precise, dynamic and clear.” Legal 500 2022
“Mark Watts has a huge intellect and experience in his field but always manages to explain it in the simplest of ways.” Legal 500 2022
“Mark Watts is the calm, wise voice whatever the crisis.” Legal 500 2022
“Practice head Mark Watts 'very effectively combines expertise across law and technology' and is well versed in global compliance projects.” Legal 500 2022

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