Rob specialises in transactional intellectual property, supporting clients to utilise, exploit and protect their valuable IP assets. He has particular expertise advising on major brand partnerships – including global sponsorship deals, brand collaborations, talent endorsements and influencer marketing across the entertainment, fashion, luxury goods and sports sectors.

His daily practice also incorporates advising across a wide range of general commercial and technology deals of all sizes, including a particular specialism in adtech and marketing.

Rob’s recent experience in this area includes:

• Acting for Kraft Heinz on their collaboration with global music superstar Ed Sheeran for the creation and launch of Ed’s Tingly Ted’s hot sauce – as well as supporting on the deal for Ed to act as a brand ambassador for Heinz Ketchup.
• Advising a major household name brand on all aspects of its groundbreaking, long-term, global partnership agreement with Formula 1.
• Advising on a long-term sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League & UEFA Super Cup properties.
• Acting for global drinks company Diageo on the innovative sponsorship of the internationally popular Eurovision Song Contest by household brand Baileys.
• Acting on a major multi-year global sponsorship deal for a brand client to become an ‘Official Partner’ of one of the most well-known sports teams in the world, Manchester United Football Club. Acting on similar partnership deals for clients with a host of other Premier League football clubs.
• Supporting global tech company Dropbox, Inc. on its groundbreaking sponsorship of the McLaren Formula 1 racing team – a deal which saw a long-term collaboration between the parties to implement Dropbox’s solutions across the McLaren team as well as offering an outstanding opportunity to promote the brand.

Rob has significant experience advising clients on the interpretation, negotiation and drafting of a wide range of technology contracts of all sizes and complexities. He has supported clients on all aspects of their digital transformations: from major IT or business process outsourcings to the procurement of simple SaaS tools. From the bespoke development, licensing and commercialisation of innovative software products, to the provision, support and maintenance of business-critical core platforms. He brings technical knowledge, as well as experience working on both the customer and supplier side of deals, to help clients navigate their tech contracts, pragmatically, efficiently and effectively.

In the past, Rob has also spent significant periods of time on secondment with clients across various industries. He has worked closely with their legal and commercial teams, built long-lasting relationships and gained invaluable experience and understanding of how their businesses operate. This pragmatic, commercially focused experience and understanding from a client perspective helps to inform Rob’s everyday practice.

Rob is a passionate champion of Diversity and Inclusion and has worked for over a decade on various initiatives to widen access to the profession and provide opportunities, mentoring and support for those from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds.