Andrew is one of the few mediators who have extensive commercial experience, both as a solicitor and working in industry, brokering deals, managing relationships and resolving or warding off disputes. He also knows what it feels like, as a client, to be embroiled in litigation and to be a party in a mediation.
After qualifying as a Solicitor in 1985 with Taylor Wessing, Andrew joined Mishcon de Reya and became a Partner, aged 28.
In 1993 Andrew moved to Channel 4 as Head of Business Affairs and a member of its management committee. In 1998 he was promoted to Director of Business Affairs for its feature film division, Film 4. From 2003-2006, he was Head of Commercial and Business Affairs for ex-Polygram chief Michael Kuhn's Qwerty Films. In 2006 he executive-produced the film ‘Closing the Ring’ for Richard Attenborough.
Formerly a transactional partner at Mishcon de Reya, he has, since 1993, run in-house business and legal departments for media and entertainment organisations, including Channel 4 and top film companies and featured regularly in the Legal 500 as a leading in-house television lawyer. Andrew was Managing Director at Future Films UK (2006-2008), then Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Europe (2008-2010) for leading independent distributor, Momentum Pictures, where he was also involved in co-financing ‘The King’s Speech’.
Accredited as a mediator by Regent’s College in 2006, Andrew also has a keen interest in co-mediation of commercial disputes. Areas of mediation experience include:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Commercial Contracts
- Copyright and Intellectual Property
- Corporate Affairs
- Cross Border and International
- Defamation
- Distribution, Agency and Licensing
- Employment and Workplace
- Fashion
- Franchising
- Insurance
- Media and Entertainment
- Music
- Professional Negligence
- Public sector and Not for Profit Organisations
- Publishing
- Sponsorship
- Sport
- TV and Film
- Trusts
- Wills and Probate
His experience covers a full range of commercial disputes, both in the UK and Internationally. He also gets on well with creative people and understands creative issues, as well as their business ramifications.
