Tim Richards

Background

About Tim Richards

I currently work as a consultant and Co-Head of Commercial at Ignition, the UK’s leading law firm for start-ups, scale-ups and the entrepreneurially-minded – where we aim to simplify entrepreneurs lives by offering clear, cost-effective and pragmatic support. Prior to becoming a consultant, I spent most of the last 11 years working in-house for a publicly-listed speciality chemicals company, as Vice-President of the Group Legal, CoSec and Compliance function (aka Deputy General Counsel), overseeing the provision of legal, company secretarial and compliance support to the global business. I trained at Eversheds Sutherland where I qualified into the Commercial Practice Group, advising private and public sector clients on commercial matters ranging from day-to-day operations through to major global outsourcings. I also spent time working for a specialist law firm advising clients on IT contracts, outsourcing, data protection and e-commerce. Over the years, I have gained significant experience advising on a very broad range of corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, particularly in the context of business expansion and growth: · Leading the legal support on the acquisition, transition and integration of new businesses, ranging from ‘bolt-on’ to transformational purchases · Building strategic partnerships, including collaborations with a heavy IP element and involving complex cross-licensing arrangements, e.g. innovation partnerships to meet ESG goals, expand product offering, or enhance product performance and manufacturing process efficiency · Partnering with businesses in supporting day-to-day operations, including legal and regulatory support on key account sales contracts, strategic purchasing contracts, agency and distribution, manufacturing and logistics contracts · Advising on IT consulting and software contracts (including SaaS contracts), including in connection with large business transformation projects · Advising on large global outsourcing deals, e.g. advising a major clearing bank on a landmark FM outsourcing deal spanning more than 50 jurisdictions · Advising on compliance matters, including significant experience in supporting on antitrust and data protection issues