About
Regulatory diplomacy
No.10
Investment
Negotiation
Law
Architect of the UK's strategy across the WTO, G7 and G20.
Led the UK's economic recovery strategy through COVID-19.
Led reform of UK outward-investment strategy; authored the Government's first policy handbook.
Over £350m negotiated, including with the European Commission.
Drafted and commenced primary legislation. Called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn.
Called to the Bar of England & Wales, Lincoln's Inn (Sir Thomas More & Lord Hardwicke Scholar) · LLM, UCL · LLB (Hons), York · Published in The Conveyancer and Trust Law International
Track record
Career highlights.
Over a decade at the top of UK Government, 2015 to 2026.
Trade and diplomacy
- Architect of the UK's regulatory diplomacy strategy: led engagement across the WTO, G7, G20 and bilateral forums on regulatory alignment, digital regulation and carbon markets.
- Designed the Prime Ministerial lobbying strategy for WTO MC12.
- Led UK strategy on WTO accession for African states.
- Led diplomatic dialogues with Malaysia and ASEAN; UK lead at the OECD Committee on SMEs.
Investment and economic security
- Led cross-Whitehall reform of UK outward-investment strategy at No.10's request; authored the UK Government's first outward-investment policy handbook.
- Led the UK's contribution to the UK–Africa Investment Summit, including geopolitical risk mapping.
- Built frameworks on the geopolitical impact of investment flows with the London School of Economics; co-led the private-investment chapter of the International Development White Paper.
Crisis and delivery
- Led the UK's medium-term economic recovery strategy for No.10 during COVID-19.
- Directed a £350m UK-wide victim support contract; designed and led a 30-day emergency renegotiation; negotiated EU co-funding with the European Commission.
- Established the UK's first Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council.
Responsible business
- Launched CAESAR, the UK Government's first modern-slavery due-diligence tool for public procurement.
- Wrote the Strategic Supplier Code of Conduct, now in every UK Government model contract; recognised in the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Annual Report.
Law
- Drafted Schedule 10 of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and led commencement of the order transferring c.100,000 public assets.
- Led negotiations with the European Commission, resolving a research-funding dispute on a point of UK–Belgian legal succession.
- Built and led the Home Office team handling judicial reviews and pre-action protocols.
Publications and qualifications
- The Legal Personality of Women (forthcoming 2027, with the late Professor Victoria Chick)
- 'Loan or Commercial Trust? The Continuing Mischief of the Quistclose Trust' (2017) 81 Conv. 248
- 'The Quistclose Trust's Detrimental Effect on Commercial Transactions' (2013) 27(4) Tru. L.I. 179
Called to the Bar of England & Wales, Lincoln's Inn: Sir Thomas More Scholar; Lord Hardwicke Award (unregistered barrister, not practising) · BPTC (Very Competent) · LLM (Merit), UCL · LLB (Hons), York · MCIPS
Speaking: INSME at the OECD, Paris (2025) · COCO Community (2026)
English (native) · French (professional working proficiency) · Italian (basic)