Meet the Speakers

Robert Schulz, Head of Legal – Sales & Marketing (CLE-SM), BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Germany

Dr. Robert Schulz is Head of Legal – Sales & Marketing at BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich, Germany (“BSH”). Robert joined BSH in May 2015. At BSH, Robert is responsible for legal advice in the fields of Sales, Marketing, White Collar Crime and Antitrust. Previously, Robert was Senior Counsel Competition at Siemens AG in Munich, Germany, where he advised on a full range of competition law matters, including merger control, cartels, cooperations with competitors and other companies, dominance issues and competition law compliance. Before joining Siemens, Robert worked in private practice for six years at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in Frankfurt, Brussels and Cologne (1999-2006). He holds a PhD in law from Humboldt University, Berlin (2000), and completed his legal traineeship (“Referendariat”) at the State of Berlin (1996). Before that, Robert obtained a postgraduate degree in Law & Economics from the universities of Hamburg, Gent and Oxford (1994) and an undergraduate degree in Law from the Free University of Berlin (1993). Robert is a Member of the Board of “Münchner Kartellrechtsforum”, a competition law interest group, and is a member of “Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht”. He has published widely on competition law matters.

BSH Hausgeräte GmbH

BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich, Germany is the largest home appliance manufacturer in Europe and one of the industry leaders worldwide, selling the complete portfolio of household appliances under the Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau, Neff and Constructa brands.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive, Competition & Markets Authority, UK

Andrea Coscelli is the Chief Executive of the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) following his appointment in July 2016. Since joining the CMA in November 2013 he has been an executive board member heading the Directorate responsible for UK merger control, the markets regime and the CMA’s work in regulated sectors. He joined the CMA from Ofcom (UK Communications Regulator) where he was a Director of Economic Analysis in the Competition Group. He previously worked at Charles Rivers Associates (CRA) in London where he was a Vice President (Partner) in the Competition Practice. He co-founded the Association of Competition Economics (ACE) in 2003. He holds a PhD in Economics from Stanford University.

Competition & Markets Authority

The CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority and carries out investigations into mergers and markets, and enforces competition and consumer law. Its mission is to make “markets work well in the interests of consumers, businesses and the economy”. The CMA assumed its powers on 1 April 2014 and is the successor of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition Commission (CC).

Simon Vande Walle, Case Handler, A-2 – Merger Case Support and Policy, DG Competition, European Commission, Belgium

Simon Vande Walle is a case handler in Unit A-2 of the European Commission's DG Competition, dealing with merger case support and policy. The cases he worked on include Hutchison's acquisition of mobile telecoms operator Telefonica in Ireland, Liberty Global's acquisition of mobile operator BASE in Belgium and oilfield services provider Halliburton's abandoned acquisition of Baker Hughes. Before joining the Commission, he was a research fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science at the University of Tokyo. He obtained his doctoral degree in law from Kyushu University, Japan, and practiced as a lawyer at the Brussels office of Linklaters from 2003 until 2008. He has widely published on competition law in the EU and Japan and is the author of the book Private Antitrust Litigation in the European Union and Japan – A Comparative Perspective (Maklu Publishers, 2013).

DG Competition, European Commission

The Commission, together with the national competition authorities, directly enforces EU competition rules, Articles 101-109 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU). Within the Commission, the Directorate-General (DG) for Competition is primarily responsible for these direct enforcement powers. DG Competition can act against several types of anti-competitive activity if it affects cross-border trade. This includes enforcement powers against anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance, merger and state aid control and the monitoring of liberalised markets.

Dr Tobias Caspary, Antitrust and Competition Partner, Fried Frank, UK

Dr. Tobias Caspary is an antitrust and competition partner based in Fried Frank’s London and Frankfurt offices. Dr. Caspary’s practice focuses on EU, UK and German competition law, working on some of the most complex cross-border mergers worldwide in connection with numerous competition investigations, including Phase II cases before the EC and the CMA, and cartel investigations. He has a strong focus on private equity, advising clients such as Goldman Sachs, AEA Investors and New Mountain Capital, and also represents clients across a range of additional industries, including media, telecoms, technology and financial services. Dr. Caspary is individually recognised by Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Chambers UK, Legal 500 UK and Legal 500 US as a leading individual in competition law (noted as being “very strategic,” “business savvy” and “highly experienced, impressive and pragmatic”). Legal 500 has also recognised him as a “credible player on the European stage, who is very well placed to deal with cases raising UK, German and EU competition issues.”

Fried Frank

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises the world's leading corporations, investment funds and financial institutions on their most critical legal needs and business opportunities. The Firm's approximately 500 lawyers are based in North America and Europe.

Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, President (Legal) & General Counsel , Hinduja Group, UK

Mr Abhijit Mukhopadhyay graduated in Commerce (with Honours) and Law both in India and the UK. He is a qualified Company and Chartered Secretary both in India and the UK. In India, Abhijit was the Head of Legal and Company Secretary in several multinationals, private and public sector companies in very senior positions (one-step below Board level). Presently Mr Mukhopadhyay is the President (Legal) and General Counsel as also Company Secretary in the Hinduja Group based in London and is involved in the Group’s worldwide legal functions. He is also a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of Group companies in six countries. Hinduja Group is a USD 15 Billion turnover multinational employing 100,000 people in 50 countries and is engaged in the businesses of automobile, foundry, lubricant, banking, chemical, explosives, media, BPO, power generation and oil& gas businesses. Abhijit is the Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Commission of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Paris, and Member of its Steering Committee and ICC India Group, India. Advisory Council Member of Post-Graduate Centre for Commercial Laws of Queens Mary University of London, Member of the India Business Forum of the Confederation of Indian Industry UK, ex- Advisory Board Member, Law Firm Management Committee of International Bar Association, ex-European Advisory Board Member of CDR Dispute Resolution, USA, and ex- Faculty Member in the Global General Counsel Academy, London. In 2010, Abhijit was listed as one of the top 50 legal professionals in India. In 2016 in India, Abhijit was listed as one of the top 25 General Counsels. Abhijit’s articles have been published from India, France, USA, Austria, United Kingdom and Malaysia. Abhijit has spoken in international seminars in India, Kuala Lumpur, Munich, London, Boston, Washington D.C., Paris, Vienna, Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore etc.

Hinduja Group

The saga of the Hinduja Group started in Sind, the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, where more than 5,000 years ago, the human race learnt its first lessons in organized business and banking. Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, a young entrepreneur from the fabled town of Shikarpur, realized early in life that business was all about spotting opportunities, and seizing them wherever they surfaced. He travelled to Mumbai in 1914, and quickly learnt the ropes of business. The business journey, which began in Sind, entered the international arena with an office in Iran (the first outside India) in 1919. Merchant Banking and Trade were the twin pillars of the business and the Group remained headquartered in Iran, until 1979 when it moved to Europe. The Group has expanded and diversified its businesses, with significant social and charitable contributions, under the present leadership of Chairman, Srichand, ably supported by his brothers, Gopichand, Prakash and Ashok. Today, the Hinduja Group has become one of the largest diversified groups in the world spanning all the continents. The Group employs over 30,000 people and has offices in many key cities of the world and all the major cities in India. The Hinduja Family has always adapted to free-market reforms moving quickly in new markets that have opened, and capitalising on new economy opportunities. As a result, the Hinduja Group has now strategically positioned itself to contribute to old economy sectors such as Banking & Finance, Transport, Energy (Oil & Power) as well as the new economy of Technology, Media and Telecom.

Paolo Palmigiano, Chairman, Association of In-house Competition Lawyers (ICLA), UK

Paolo is a partner at Taylor Wessing. Paolo is also the chairman of the European In-house Competition Lawyers’ Association, vice-chair of BIAC (the voice of business at the OECD in Paris) and a non-governmental advisor to the CMA in the UK.

Association of In-house Competition Lawyers (ICLA)

The Association of in-house competition lawyers is an informal gathering of expert in-house competition lawyers. There are more than 300 members in 23 countries. Its main purpose, through its meetings in Brussels and in London, is to act as •A channel of communication to share information and update members on issues of common interest, including: events, general legal developments at the EU and national level, specific members’ experience and subjects of common interest (both by members and external speakers); •An opportunity to engage with competition authorities on matters of common interest. Officials from competition authorities are usually invited to attend ICLA meetings; •In some instances to submit responses to consultations of interest to in-house lawyers.

Lee Callaghan, General Counsel International Markets. Group Competition Counsel, Aviva Plc, UK

Lee is the General Counsel at Aviva plc for their international markets in Europe and Asia. He has over 25 years of legal experience in industry, having worked in the UK motor industry, chemical industry and for the last 13 years at Aviva. He is also the Aviva Group Competition Law General Counsel. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the ICCJ. Aviva is the UK’s largest insurer and a top 10 global insurer that operates in general, life and asset management markets worldwide.

Aviva Plc

Aviva PLC is a leading UK based insurer with an international presence in Canada, Asia and Europe as well as a leading presence in the UK market in both life and general insurance as well as pensions, asset management and protection products.

David Bailey, Barrister, Brick Court Chambers, UK

David Bailey is a Barrister and a Visiting Professor of Law at King's College London. David is one of the Standing Counsel to the UK Competition and Markets Authority and to the Hong Kong Competition Commission.

Brick Court Chambers

Brick Court Chambers is one of the leading sets of barristers’ chambers in the UK. It specialises in Commercial, EU/Competition and Public Law.

Richard Whish QC (Hon), Emeritus Professor, King's College London, UK

Emeritus Professor Richard Whish is a legal academic and author. He is a qualified solicitor and was in legal practice in London from 1989 to 1998. He was admitted in 1977. He has been recommended for his contribution to competition law and policy, in the UK, the European Union and in many other countries with competition laws throughout the world. Professor Whish has published many books and articles on competition law, and contributed to many others. In particular he is the co-author of Competition Law, 7th edition 2012. Professor Whish has advised various Governments and competition authorities on competition law and policy, and has had an influence on the development of various competition laws and on soft law guidance. His nomination also focuses on his contribution to the development of many postgraduate courses on competition law and policy at King’s College London, where he is now Emeritus Professor, having been a Professor of Law there from 1991 to 2013. For many years he was also a Visiting Professor of Law at the College of Europe in Bruges. Professor Whish was a member of the Advisory Panel of the Director General of Fair Trading from 2001 to 2003, and a non-executive director of the Board of the Office of Fair Trading from 2003 to 2009. He was also a member of the Board of the Singapore Energy Markets Authority from 2005 to 2011. In 2014 Professor Whish was appointed Queen's Counsel Honoris Causa. The award is made to lawyers who have made a major contribution to the law of England & Wales outside practice in the courts

King's College London

King's College London was founded in 1828-9 by a group of eminent politicians, churchmen and others. King's was granted a royal charter by King George IV on 14 August 1829.

Stephen Hurley, Senior Competition and Regulatory Lawyer, BT, UK

Stephen is a Senior Competition and Regulatory Lawyer at BT where he has acted on a number of high profile matters, including BT's acquisition of EE and multiple competition and regulatory law investigations. Before joining BT, Stephen was a referendaire at the Competition Appeal Tribunal and an associate at Freshfields.

www.bt.com

Claire Simpson, Lead Competition Counsel, Euroclear Group, Euroclear, Belgium

Claire is a Scottish lawyer with 20 years of international experience in the fields of EU and tax law. A member of the London Bar, she is currently Group Head of Competition law at Euroclear. Her role in Euroclear covers a range of antitrust issues worldwide (in areas as diverse as blockchain, crowdfunding and international collateral management) and draws on Claire's previous practice at Gray's Inn Tax Chambers and experience in the European Court. Claire also writes on relevant competition law matters and recently published "Dominant firms and selective discounting in the EU: When is 'meeting competition' a defence?" in the European Competition Journal. She holds an LL.B(Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, and Masters degrees from the College of Europe, Bruges (EU law), and the Brussels School of Competition (Competition law and Economics, summa cum laude).

Euroclear

Euroclear is a key financial market infrastructure holding over EUR 27 trillion assets in custody. It operates security settlement systems in 7 European countries, while its international system, Euroclear Bank, has links to 46 countries worldwide. Find out more about Euroclear @ www.euroclear.com.

James Kitching, International Disputes Partner, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP, UK

James Kitching is a barrister and disputes resolution partner resident in Fried Frank's London office, although he works extensively with Fried Frank's international offices. Mr. Kitching has substantial experience in handling large-scale and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, often involving the coordination of multiple proceedings in several jurisdictions. Specifically, Mr. Kitching undertakes high-value, international, commercial litigation; international arbitration; and white-collar crime and enforcement, special investigations and compliance monitoring work. Mr. Kitching and the London Disputes Group are consistently recognized by Legal 500 in Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration, which identifies him as "highly rated," and one who “litigates successfully.” The Legal 500 also names the London dispute team a “standout practice” in its 2015 edition. In addition, Legal 500 has recognised Mr. Kitching for Commercial Litigation: “responsive and sharp.” The Fried Frank arbitration practice is included in Global Arbitration Review's Top 100 International Arbitration law firms globally, and it is also recognised in Legal 500 US and Chambers and Partners UK and US. The Fried Frank global disputes team is consistently ranked by clients and peers in Chambers and Partners: "The team offers deep expertise in complex financial, securities and commercial disputes" and Legal 500: "The firm has tremendously talented professionals and operates in a cutting edge environment."

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises the world's leading corporations and financial institutions on their most critical legal needs and business opportunities. The Firm's approximately 450 lawyers are based in North America and Europe. More information can be found at www.friedfrank.com.

Miguel Perez Guerra, Senior Competition Counsel, Google, UK

Miguel is a senior competition counsel at Google in London, where he advises and oversees antitrust matters throughout the EMEA region. He previously worked at Amazon in its European headquarters in Luxembourg, where he was lead counsel to the pan-EU retail and marketplace e-commerce businesses. Prior to moving in-house, he was a senior associate at Linklaters' Competition & Antitrust team, and was an associate at Clifford Chance's European Competition and Regulation group before that. He qualified into the Energy & Telecoms department at Spanish law firm Garrigues. He is a graduate in law and in economics by Comillas-ICADE University in Madrid, and has studied international and EU law at Georgetown University and at King's College London.

Google

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Larry Page, Google's co-founder, once described the “perfect search engine” as something that “understands exactly what you mean and gives you back exactly what you want.” Since he spoke those words Google has grown to offer products beyond search, but the spirit of what he said remains. With all our technologies – from search to Chrome to Gmail – our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find the information you need and get the things you need to do done.

Andreas Gustafsson, Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel Europe Nasdaq, Nasdaq, Sweden

Andreas Gustafsson, Senior Vice President/Chief Counsel Europe Nasdaq, is managing the group that provides legal and regulatory support to Nasdaq´s European regulated entities including Exchanges, CCP:s, CSD:s and investment firm in 10 jurisdictions. The responsibility also includes the Surveillance department, which is providing monitoring of members and issuers to the Nordic Exchanges, and the EU affairs department, which is located in Brussels and covers Nasdaq’s work on all major governmental initiatives in Europe. Andreas has been working 13 years at Nasdaq and previously at the Swedish FSA, where he was involved in European working groups such as MiFID.

Nasdaq

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 90 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to approximately 3,900 total listings with a market value of approximately $13 trillion.

Victoria McMaw, Senior Legal Counsel, EU & Competition , RBS Legal, UK

Victoria is Senior Legal Counsel, EU & Competition at RBS advising across all of the bank’s businesses and functions. Victoria has advised on a wide range of competition law matters including market studies and investigations, enforcement cases, merger control and compliance. Prior to joining RBS, Victoria worked at Linklaters for seven years in its London and Brussels offices.

RBS Legal

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

Gabriel McGann, In-House Counsel, The Coca-Cola Company, Ireland

Gabriel McGann is Senior Counsel, Competition at The Coca-Cola Company and advises on a wide variety of competition law matters involving mergers and acquisitions, distribution, procurement and compliance issues in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. He is Chair of AIM’s Competition and Legal Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of AmCham EU’s Competition Policy Committee. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, he served as a legal advisor with Aer Lingus and practiced as a Barrister in Dublin. He has a LL.M degree from Yale Law School and obtained his primary law degree at Trinity College, Dublin.

The Coca-Cola Company

Meet the Speakers

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