Stephen Townley
Solicitor, FCIArb
Languages:
English (native)
Cultural Appreciation:
Experience in many different countries and judicial systems has created an awareness and appreciation of different approaches and sensitivities to resolving disputes and conflicts which I try and use in my approach and work.
Interests:
Married to Caroline with four children and seven grandchildren.
Partner with some of my children in Wild by Nature LLP which owns a Michelin Guided Gastropub alongside a wedding venue, country retreat and a farm producing high quality meat, including its own charcuterie, and organic vegetables.
Fly fisherman, very keen home cook, and active landscaper gardener.
EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS LEGAL POSITIONS HELD
2012 - 2021
2009 - 2011
2003 - 2012
2003
2001 - 2003
1995 - 2001
1993 - 1997
1989 - 1993
1984 - 2001
1979 - 1983
1978 - 1979
1975 - 1979
Foreign Law Consultant (Sport Law)
Withers KhattarWong, Singapore
Foreign Law Consultant (Sport Law)
Rajah & Tann, Singapore
Board Member, Advisory Board
Melbourne Law Master’s Sports Law Programme, Australia
Chairman
Sports Resources Group (which co-founded the establishment of the SportAccord Convention), UK
Head of International
Hammonds Suddards Edge which merged with Squire Patton Boggs, UK
Honorary Legal Advisor
General Association of International Sports Federations, Europe
General Counsel
International Tennis Federation, UK
Chair
Sports and Gaming Committee, International Bar Association, UK
Founder & Senior Partner
Townleys, UK
General Counsel
SMPI, West Nally, UK the innovator within sport of Intangible Asset Management (IAM), UK
Inhouse Counsel & Company Secretary
Hawker Siddeley Diesels Ltd, UK
Trainee Solicitor
City of London Marine Insurance, UK
EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS BUSINESS POSITIONS HELD
– Served on public and private boards, including Chair of the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA) World’s Strongest Man which was originally Nasdaq-listed.
– During chairmanship of Synchro Arts Ltd. (2011–2021), the company and/or its founders earned an Emmy, two Academy Awards (technology category), and two Queen's Awards for Industry (technology and exports).
– Co-founded NetResult Ltd., providing global IP infringement policing for rights owners including F1 and the NFL; sold to Thomson Reuters in 2013.
– Member of the Board, World Sport Football Limited (Hong Kong) (1996–2009), which was at the time the largest football business in the Middle East and Asia.
– Co-Founder and Chairman, Active Rights Management Asia Pte. Ltd., (2006-2010) that was part of the winning consortium to deliver a sports programme that would meet all the project objectives and customer needs and one that would operate for 25 years as part of the consortium for the Singapore Sports Hub.
– Chairman of Sports Resources Group, 2003, which formed and co –founded the SportAccord Convention.
– Founded LawAccord in 2003 and was its Chairman for 20 years. Responsible for delivering the programme and from 2014 onwards helped by the collaboration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport through the Vice President of ICAS.
– Founded the International Academy of Sportslaw Practitioners & Executives, an organisation created with the purpose of bringing together lawyers and sports executives who work on international sports matters.
– Chief Executive Officer (1987-1989), News & Production Services owned by the Saudi Ministry of Information.