Robert Gardener is the Director of Government Affairs at Hogan Lovells in London. He is a former Civil Servant in the Cabinet Office, Director in the Government of Abu Dhabi, and senior adviser to global corporations, governments and not-for-profit organisations. Robert draws on his experience of being on both sides of the table to develop strategic and practical approaches towards engaging at the heart of public policy making. Robert advises organisations on how best to understand relevant policy areas and political perspectives of the British Government and foreign governments, and how to contribute to policy making most effectively. Clients draw on his inside-experience to gain a perspective on the parts of government really driving particular policy areas, the key influences and connections to consider, and how meaningful strategic partnerships with governments in the UK and abroad can help to achieve the relevant policy goals. Robert works alongside lawyers throughout the firm to help provide clarity on regulatory environments, and to help inform current and perspective business decisions on which government policy may have an impact. That is why we are the only firm top-ranked by Chambers UK, for both Administrative and Public Law and Public Affairs, and by Legal 500 for Administrative and Public Law. Robert is a member of a number of Government expert advisery panels, including Global Travel and National Security and Investment. He has given podcasts on the legal and policy implications of Brexit, the emerging UK political landscape and the Government’s response to Covid-19. Robert is a College Mentor to undergraduates at Durham University, where he read Law.
1624
The UK Government this week prohibited the acquisition of intellectual property owned by the University of Manchester by a Chinese company – marking the first time the UK Government has exercised its powers to block a transaction under new national security rules. On 20 July 2022, the UK’s (...)
289
The UK Government is consulting on proposed powers for the recently launched Digital Markets Unit. This is a significant juncture in the reconfiguration of the post-Brexit regulatory landscape, marked by a determination to be a world leader in the regulation of digital markets. This (...)
242
The UK’s much publicised National Security and Investment Bill has now been granted Royal Assent – passing into law an Act which will significantly affect the way investments in the UK can be reviewed by the Government where they raise national security considerations. The Act introduces a (...)
739
The UK Government has launched the much anticipated Digital Markets Unit (DMU) as a first step towards an “unashamedly pro-competition" regime focused on the position of “tech giants”. The DMU will, however, initially lack its own enforcement powers and there is still a lot to play for in (...)
