Geoff Couling Email & Phone Number

London Area, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Managing the commercial function of Bramble Hub

Hatfield

Bedford, England

I provide general legal advice to the Alere Group, which includes:• Liaising extensively with senior management at all levels of the business, to assist in the development of commercial strategies, to manage legal and business risk, and to resolve legal and business issues.• Understanding the legal and regulatory framework of various jurisdictions to enable me to identify and resolve issues.• Drafting and negotiating domestic and international agreements such as distribution (branded and customer own label, and both incoming and outgoing), supply, software licenses, etc.• Working with all parts of the business to implement various eHealth/Telehealth product offerings throughout Europe, including advising on the Data Protection and Regulatory issues arising from such offerings.• Taking legal responsibility for the implementation of an OUS principal company structure, for business and tax efficiencies, including the liaising with and managing of external tax and corporate lawyers advising on this project.• Working with various R&D groups, and Strategic Business Units responsible for new product development on strategic collaborations.• Intellectual Property advice to colleagues (including scientists), including the drafting and negotiation of research service agreements and research collaboration agreements, IP licences and option agreements (in and out), and assignments.• Compliance advice and training such as Foreign Corrupt Practices Act/Anti Bribery training for management and new acquisitions.• Regulatory advice and training to ensure compliance with EU Directives such as the Medical Devices Directive, the In-vitro Medical Devices Directive, and their UK regulations, etc. • Competition/Anti Trust , Corporate, legal/compliance training, Data Protection, Clinical Studies, Joint Ventures, Employment law and TUPE, integrating new acquisitions, and working with and managing both internal and external lawyers.

London, United Kingdom

• advising on the procurement of works, services, and the supply of goods. Such procurement included a wide range of contracts including IT contracts, and Construction contracts. On major projects I initially provided advice upon the contract/service/project structure taking into account the practical needs of the client. • initiating and participating in a project risk evaluation, keeping it updated and managing risks during the life of the project.• advising on the method of procurement and ensure that the procurement is carried out in accordance with the EU procurement regulations and the Council’s Constitution. • drafting the procurement documentation such as OJEU advertisements and notices and Tender documents.• drafting the appropriate contract and related documentation such as performance bonds/parent company guarantees, sub consultant warranties, and escrow agreements. I also check and if necessary amend the client’s specification.• advising on all contract/procurement related issues such as employment, property, intellectual property, corruption and fraud detection, and partnership arrangements.• advising on regulatory issues such as health and safety, equality, environmental requirements, the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.• correspond with and negotiate with external solicitors over the terms of contracts, and other matters.• provide advice in respect of practical contract issues and contract disputes.• instruct and work with external solicitors when specialist advice is necessary, for example in respect of major construction disputes.• provide ad hoc advice, and advise on a number of smaller contracts such as funding agreements for voluntary organisations, software licenses and software maintenance contracts, contract variations, novation agreements, and consultancy agreements etc.• liaising with other departments to provide training and best practice advice in respect of commercial contracts.

Watford, United Kingdom

• From February 2002 to August 2002 I assisted a Partner, as a qualified Solicitor, with all aspects of mergers and acquisitions work, ie drafted and checked share/business/asset purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, heads of terms, company director loan guarantees, disclosure letters, confidentiality agreements, exclusivity agreements, and other related documentation.• From February 2001 to January 2002 I undertook the same type of work as set out above albeit as a paralegal and with more supervision, as well as undertaking more basic tasks such as producing company secretarial documentation, printing microfiches, and controlling the disclosure process.• From June 1999 to January 2001, as a paralegal, I undertook all aspects of residential conveyancing.

Llb, Law And Philosophy

Activities and Societies: Ruakura Cricket Club DJ, Contact FM, Student Radio

Education record