Anne Todd

Overview

I am a Partner in the Commercial team, based in London. I advise a diverse range of clients, ranging from start-ups and SMEs to multi-national corporations. I lead the London Technology & Innovation practice and am a member of the data protection and intellectual property groups.

I am a former in-house lawyer and General Counsel including at Balfour Beatty, BT, Sodexo, Storm Telecommunications, Tesco and Vodafone. I use my extensive in-house experience to provide practical day-to-day ‘outside general counsel’ legal advice and to build long-term relationships with my clients.

I have an LLM in Communications & Computer Law and have been advising clients in the communications, technology and digital sector for over 25 years. I advise on all kinds of commercial contracts in this sector, including communications services, IT outsourcing and managed services, software licenses, cloud computing, SaaS and data centre services. I act on behalf of providers and enterprise buyers. I am especially interested in emerging technologies, during my career I have been involved in the launch of new technologies which have become essential to our lives, including mobile communications, public internet services, smart-phones, and mobile apps. I am fascinated by the opportunities and challenges of AI technology.

My experience also includes energy, financial services, hotels and hospitality, consumer brands and franchising. I advise businesses on international expansion, international supply chain, distribution arrangements and joint ventures. I am keenly interested in matters relating to ESG and how this can be addressed in supply chain relationships to ensure sustainability and diversity.

As a co-founder of a private equity backed international telecoms business which grew rapidly, I enjoy supporting early-stage businesses. I am a member of the Michelmores team supporting MAINstream and MiVentures.

I am a member of the Society for Computers & Law, Women in Telecoms and Technology and the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Recent experience

Advising a provider of biometric identity technology on the UK Government’s Model Services Contract and supporting the bid team at contract meetings with the authority.

Advising an international energy supplier on its agreements for SaaS, professional services, and IT managed services. Also advising them on various procurement contracts and on the development of new standard supply terms.

Negotiating a complex outsourcing agreement on behalf of a major UK IFA / SIPP operator, including various operational schedules and the SLA.

Advising a major UK financial services institution on contractual arrangements relating to the operation of its digital estate.

Advising the owner of a newly built luxury hotel and negotiating a hotel operation and management agreement with a major hotel operator. Also advising on and negotiating the associated IT services agreement and franchise agreements with international restaurant franchisors located within the hotel.