Exclusive member event: Getting to market through selective distribution – what’s next?

  • Posted on Sep 04, 2017

On 18 October the FSPA will welcome members from around the UK for a seminar: Getting to market through selective distribution – what’s next?

FSPA Managing Director Jane Montgomery explains: “This area of law is currently subject to extensive focus from Brussels and by national competition authorities in the UK and elsewhere. With numerous investigations ongoing and more promised, the event will be a practical and interactive guide to this critical area for sporting goods businesses.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading sports lawyers Richard Millington and Simon Barnes. Partners at national law firm Shoosmiths, they have extensive knowledge of international trade law and the sports world.

“Richard has previously worked on the Legal Committee for the World Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry and has held senior legal roles with Nike, Umbro and Iconix Brand Group. Simon leads Shoosmiths’ competition law practice, advising on competition law compliance, investigations and litigation.

“Following the recent publication by the European Union of its sector enquiry into e-commerce, and in light of recent enforcement activity by the EU and national competition authorities, it’s vital that our members get up-to-speed on how these developments could affect their sports or play business.”

Event organiser and BGIA Association Manager, Ciara Morgan, adds: “Following a networking lunch, we’ll take a practical look at the current laws on controlling product distribution, recent cases that illustrate what has and hasn’t been permitted, what the European Commission’s report found and the changes we may see in the future.

“This important event marks the beginning of the extensive support we are offering to our members to ensure they navigate the changes brought about by Brexit successfully.”

For more details or to book a place members should email [email protected] or call on 02476 414999 x207.

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Location:             The Oxfordshire Golf, Hotel and Spa, Ryecote Lane, Milton Common OX9 2PU

Directions:          https://www.theoxfordshire.com/hotel/location-directions

Date:                     18 October 2017

Time:                    12:30 – 17:00

 

The Speakers – Richard Millington

Richard is a partner in Shoosmiths’ Technology, Media and Commercial team and leads the firm’s Sports team.  Prior to joining Shoosmiths Richard worked for 12 years as an in-house lawyer for US listed businesses operating in sportswear, entertainment, retail, technology and marketing. He was also a member of the legal committee of the World Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry. His experience includes negotiating cross border joint ventures, developing and executing litigation strategies in multiple jurisdictions, going through corporate acquisitions and disposals, working on outsourcing of support functions, international sales contracts and IT procurement, as well as being in the middle of some of the sporting world’s biggest deals.

As Legal Manager for the Nike Football Business Units, General Counsel for Umbro and then VP International Counsel for Iconix Brand Group Inc he managed legal teams and budgets on a global level and worked with lawyers from the top US firms through to small boutiques. His experience of working at the front line in competitive global markets enables him to provide both in-house teams and businesses expert, results-orientated and responsive legal advice.

The Speakers – Simon Barnes

Simon leads Shoosmiths’ EU and competition law practice. He has extensive experience advising on competition law compliance, merger control, competition investigations and litigation. Simon regularly works with businesses to develop and implement effective compliance training programmes for their staff. He also advises on the competition law considerations arising from clients’ day-to-day commercial arrangements. His clients include numerous high-profile consumer brand owners, including Asahi Breweries (formerly SABMiller), Coca-Cola European Partners, ghd, Citizen Watches, BSH Home Appliances and Peugeot Citroen.

Simon represents clients in investigations before the Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission. He has also advised in relation to cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg, as well as on competition investigations in a number of other jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere.