FSPA partners with leading sports lawyer to advise on Brexit

• Posted on Jun 22, 2017

The FSPA has teamed up with national law firm Shoosmiths to provide crucial guidance throughout the UK’s Brexit negotiations. The voice of the UK sports and play industries, the FSPA will liaise with the UK government helping to ensure the best outcomes for its 500 member businesses.

Jane Montgomery, Managing Director of the FSPA, comments: “The sports and play trade shares many of the same worries as every other sector – like the possible introduction of new tariffs. However, our members also have some very specific concerns around the alignment of UK standards and regulations with the EU.  Our task over the coming months is to ensure that these concerns are recognised and we’ll be working closely with members on this.”

The role will be led by Shoosmiths’ Richard Millington, who has extensive knowledge of international trade law and the sports world. Previously on the Legal Committee for the World Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry, he has held senior legal roles with Nike, Umbro and Iconix Brand Group.

Richard comments: “Brexit will see the biggest change in recent memory in the legislative make-up of the UK. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to use my industry expertise to assist the sports and play industry in the UK.”

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Richard and to be able to tap into his expertise in what will undoubtedly be a lengthy and complex process,” adds Jane. “Richard will be an advisor in key government meetings as we work to secure our members’ best interests.”

ENDS

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Notes to editors:

Shoosmiths LLP is a national law firm with 12 offices across the United Kingdom, over 160 partners and more than 1500 lawyers and support staff. The firm announced a turnover of £107m to end April 2016. A recent merger with McManus Kearney created a new Shoosmiths office in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Shoosmiths launched in Leeds in December 2016. The firm was ranked top of the 2016 Experian MarketIQ UK & Ireland M&A league tables to become the UK’s leading legal adviser by deal volume.

Shoosmiths’ Sports team are unique in their industry insight achieved through many years working in-house with the likes of Nike, Man Utd, Red Bull, British Powerlifting and Manor F1. They now work to bring the benefit of those experiences and connections to athletes, teams, governing bodies and sports investors globally.