Mark Watson-Gandy

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix = Professor

| name =

| honorific_suffix = of Myrton {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age| 1967|11|08}}

| birth_place = Buckinghamshire, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| other_names =

| alma_mater = Essex University (LLB)

| occupation = Barrister-at-law

| known_for = Corporate law

| spouse = Emanuella Johanna Christina née Giavarra (m. 1997)

| children = 1 son, 1 daughter

| relations = Admiral Alec Tyndale-Biscoe;
Anthony Watson-Gandy;
Gyles Brandreth

| awards = 40px OBE
40px CStJ

}}

Mark Watson-Gandy {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (born 8 November 1967), is a British lawyer and educationalist, specialising in UK insolvency, company and private international law.{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/people-of-today/profile/20493/Mark-WATSON-GANDY-OF-MYRTON|work=Debretts|title=Mark WATSON-GANDY OF MYRTON|access-date=November 22, 2016}}

Since 2019, Watson-Gandy serves as NDPB Chairman of the Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetbiometrics.com/article-details/i/10590/desc/professor-becomes-chair-for-biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group/|title=Professor becomes chairman for Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group {{!}} Planet Biometrics News|website=www.planetbiometrics.com|access-date=2019-11-18}} at the Home Office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group-announces-new-chair|title=Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group announces new chair|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}}

Early life and education

Born in 1967 to Alastair Watson-Gandy and Barbara née Mądry, scion of the Watson-Gandy-Brandreth gentry family,Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition 2003, Volume 2, page 2848 he was educated at Dr Challoner's Grammar School before going up to the University of Essex, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Accorded in Scotland{{Cite web|url=https://www.mygov.scot/organisations/court-of-lord-lyon/|title=Court of Lord Lyon - mygov.scot|website=www.mygov.scot}} the territorial designation "of Myrton" as Baron of Myrton,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/E-25893-1107-293|title=Change of Name and/or Arms|website=www.thegazette.co.uk|access-date=2019-11-18}} Watson-Gandy does not use the title professionally.{{Cite web |date=1 August 2024 |title=Burke's Peerage |url=https://www.burkespeerage.com/search.php |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Burke's Peerage}}

Career

Watson-Gandy was called to the Bar in 1990 at the Inner Temple and in 2013 to the Eastern Caribbean Bar (British Virgin Islands). He is a member of Three Stone Chambers.{{Cite web|url=https://threestone.law/barrister/mark-watson-gandy/|title=Mark Watson-Gandy | Barristers|website=Three Stone}} A Visiting Professor of the University of Westminster since 1999, he has pioneered its LLM degree in Corporate Finance Law,{{cite web|url=https://westminster.academia.edu/ProfMarkWatsonGandy|title=Prof Mark Watson-Gandy - University of Westminster - Academia.edu|website=westminster.academia.edu}} and is a Special Lecturer at Cass Business School.{{cite web|url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/october/cass-professor-nominated-for-2009-barrister-of-the-year|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927203951/http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/october/cass-professor-nominated-for-2009-barrister-of-the-year|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2016|title=Cass Professor nominated for 2009|website=www.cass.city.ac.uk}}

In 2000, Watson-Gandy was appointed by Lord Williams of Mostyn as a Junior Counsel to the Crown serving until 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/attorney-generals-panel-counsel-appointments-membership-lists-and-off-panel-counsel|title=Attorney General's Civil Panel Counsel: appointments, membership lists and off panel counsel|website=GOV.UK|date=27 September 2023 }} In 2010, he was Counsel to the Conference of Bishops for the State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/in-the-city-edward-fennell-t9klf2xl29f|title=In the City: Edward Fennell|website=The Times|date=28 September 2023 |publisher=}} He then advised Gurkha veterans for the All-Party Parliamentary Group Enquiry on Gurkha Welfare.{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/brigade-of-gurkhas/gurkha-pension-the-tri-partite-agreement/|title=Gurkha Pensions - The Tri-Partite Agreement|website=www.army.mod.uk}}

In 2013, Watson-Gandy represented Craig Whyte in litigation over the financing of his ill-fated acquisition of Rangers Football Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/ex-rangers-owner-craig-whyte-begins-appeal-against-ticketus-ruling.1385642688|title=Ex-Rangers owner Craig Whyte begins appeal against Ticketus ruling|website=HeraldScotland|date=28 November 2013 }} He also served as counsel to the court-appointed trustee in litigation leading to the overturning of the UK bankruptcy of Tom McFeely, a property developer and former IRA hunger striker.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/developer-mcfeely-bankruptcy-overturned-following-challenge-1.1066573|title=Developer McFeely bankruptcy overturned following challenge|newspaper=The Irish Times |publisher=}} He was counsel for the court-appointed amicus curiae in litigation over the collapse of the Stanford International Bank in Antigua and of Fairfield Sentry (Bernie Madoff's investment fund) in the British Virgin Islands. He later successfully represented the court-appointed administrators of Cambridge Analytica.{{cite news |title=Getting to Know You: Professor Mark Watson-Gandy, founder, KidsMBA |url=https://bmmagazine.co.uk/entrepreneur-interviews/entrepreneurs/getting-to-know-you-professor-mark-watson-gandy-founder-kidsmba/ |access-date=15 April 2021 |publisher=Business Matters |date=22 November 2018}}

A member of the Home Office Science Advisory Council,{{cite web |title=Professor Mark Watson-Gandy announced as new Chair for Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group |url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/professor-mark-watson-gandy-announced-as-new-chair-for-biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group |website=University of Westminster}} beginning in 2019, Watson-Gandy serves as Chairman of the Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group; formerly known as the National DNA Database Ethics Group, it is a Home Office non-departmental public body. He is also the former Chairman of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England{{cite web|url=http://centreforentrepreneurs.org/cfe-releases/fortuna-50-uks-fastest-growing-women-led-small-businesses-2/|title=Fortuna 50: The UK's fastest growing women-led small businesses - The Centre for Entrepreneurs|work=The Centre for Entrepreneurs |publisher=}} and the Pure Cremation Group.

In 2022, the Catholic Herald featured Watson-Gandy in its list of “Catholic Leaders of Today”, the UK’s 100 most influential lay Roman Catholics.{{cite web |title=UK Catholic Leaders of Today 2022 |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/uk-catholic-leaders-of-today-2022-law-and-politics/ |website=Catholic Herald|date=2 November 2022 }}

Publications

=Books=

Simple Contract Law - published in London 2020
KidsMBA: How to build a successful business - published in London 2018
[https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854902330/personal-insolvency-practice-litigation-procedure-and-precedents-2nd-ed-hardback-wildy-simmonds-and-hill-publishing Personal Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents 2nd Edition] - published by Wildy & Sons, London, 2018
[https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854902187/corporate-insolvency-practice-litigation-procedure-and-precedents-hardback-wildy-simmonds-and-hill-publishing-e55c4db7-138f-45f5-bb24-81609b4722ea Corporate Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents 2nd Edition] - published by Wildy & Sons, London 2017
Tolley's Company Secretary's Review – Corporate Precedents: Directors - published by Wildy & Sons, London 2013
Personal Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents – published by Wildy & Sons, London 2012{{cite web| url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2616098.ece| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150517205042/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2616098.ece| archive-date = 2015-05-17| title = In the City: Addleshaw Goddard bucks a trend| website = The Times}}
Corporate Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents – published by Wildy & Sons, London 2010{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/in-the-city-happy-days-are-here-again-or-is-that-just-for-the-legal-profession-0d6xkf8xtxf|title=In the City: happy days are here again — or is that just for the legal profession?|first=Edward|last=Fennell|website=The Times|date=28 September 2023 |publisher=}}
Watson-Gandy on Accountants – Law, Practice and Procedure, 2nd Edition, published by Wildy & Sons, London 2008{{cite web|url=https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9781858116006/watson-gandy-on-the-law-relating-to-accountants-law-precedents-practice-and-procedure-2nd-ed-hardback-hammicks-legal-publishing|title=Wildy & Sons Ltd — The World's Legal Bookshop Search Results for isbn: '9781858116006'|website=www.wildy.com}}
Watson-Gandy on Accountants – Law, Practice and Procedure, 1st Edition, published by Wildy & Sons, London 2000
Beyond the Peradventure, published in London 1991.{{Cite web|url=https://books.lawin.org/beyond-the-peradventure/|title=Beyond the peradventure | Books | Encyclopedia of law}}

=Editorships=

Watson-Gandy has co-edited Butterworths Corporate Law Service, LexisNexis (Company Law: co-editor since 2008), having previously been assistant editor of the Family Court Reporter, local government editor of Justice of the Peace Magazine and editor of Litigation, the legal journal.

=Writing and speaking=

Since 1997 Watson-Gandy has contributed a monthly column to Business Money, the commercial finance magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.business-money.com/announcements/city-barrister-professor-mark-watson-gandy-explains-about-early-neutral-evaluation|title=City barrister Professor Mark Watson-Gandy explains about early neutral evaluation|website=www.business-money.com}} He also writes and speaks regularly in the media on legal matters and business education.

Personal life

On 30 April 1997, Watson-Gandy married Emanuella Giavara, advocate on EU copyright legislation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eblida.org/about-eblida/history.html|title=History - European Bureau of Library Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA)|website=www.eblida.org}}

Watson-Gandy and his wife live at Blackheath, London, and have two children.

Civic appointments and charitable service

Watson-Gandy's appointments to boards of companies as well as not-for-profit organisations include:

Image:Neck Badge - Knight of Grace.jpg

Chairman of Kids MBA Ltd;{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ranisingh/2015/10/15/we-need-an-mba-for-kids-says-advocate/#3a57ab3d1c2c|title='We Need An MBA For Kids,' Says Advocate|first=Rani|last=Singh|website=Forbes|publisher=}}
Non-Executive Director of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers;{{cite web|url=http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/Ethics--Regulations/Professional-Conduct-Regulations|title=Professional Conduct|website=www.bookkeepers.org.uk}}
Chancellor of the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta;{{cite web |title=Simple Contract Law Stripping English Law of Complexity |url=https://issuu.com/benham/docs/hampshire_legal_march_2021/s/11865705 |website=Hampshire Legal}}
Liveryman (now Past Master) of the Scriveners' Company.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scriveners.org.uk/|title=Scriveners Company in London|website=www.scriveners.org.uk}}

Honours and arms

Invested as CStJ in 2020,[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3629513 www.thegazette.co.uk] Watson-Gandy was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for "public and voluntary service".{{London Gazette|issue=64269|supp=y|page=N13|date=30 December 2023}}

45px OBE: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
45px CStJ: Commander of the Most Venerable Order of Saint John{{cite news |title=Order of St John |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3629513 |access-date=12 May 2023 |publisher=The Gazette}}
45px SMOM: Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta[https://www.orderofmalta.org.uk/about/government/ www.orderofmalta.org.uk]
45px Holy See: Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great[https://papalorders.org.uk/orders/pontifical-order-of-saint-gregory-the-great/ www.papalorders.org.uk]
45px Two Sicilies: Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George[https://www.constantinian.org.uk/ www.constantinian.org.uk]
45px SMOM: Cross pro Merito Melitensi[https://www.orderofmalta.int/government/order-pro-merito-melitensi/ www.orderofmalta.int]
45px House of Solomon: Officer of the Order of Menelik II;
Freeman of the City of London[https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-governance/freedom-of-the-city www.cityoflondon.gov.uk]
Freeman of the Goldsmiths' Company[https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company/today/membership-governance/ www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk]
Master Scrivener for 2022/23.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scriveners.org.uk/|title=Scriveners Company in London|website=www.scriveners.org.uk}}

{{Infobox COA wide

|name = Professor Mark Watson-Gandy of Myrton

|image =Watson-Gandy of Myrton full coat of arms.png

| footnotes =

|year_adopted = Grant (Heralds' College, England) and matriculated, Lyon Court, Scotland (2005){{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/E-25893-1107-293|title=Change of Name and/or Arms|website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}

|coronet = Chapeau of a Scottish feudal baron
40px

|escutcheon = Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Per pale Sable and Or five Mascles in cross counterchanged (for BRANDRETH); 2nd, Per pale Argent and Or on a Chevron Azure between in chief a Crescent of the Last between two Martlets Sable and in base a Crescent of the Third a Martlet between two Crescents of the Second (for WATSON); 3rd, Per fess nebuly Gules and Argent in chief two Pairs of Swords in saltire Proper pommel and hilts Or and in base a Saltire couped of the First (for GANDY)

|crest = Upon the Battlements of a Tower Proper a Lamb passant Or holding in its dexter foreleg a Staff also Proper flying therefrom a Pennon Argent charged with a Cross Gules{{cite web |title=Armorial familis: a directory of gentlemen of coat-armour |url=https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/arthur-charles-fox-davies/armorial-families--a-directory-of-gentlemen-of-coat-armour-volume-2-dxo/page-248-armorial-families--a-directory-of-gentlemen-of-coat-armour-volume-2-dxo.shtml |website=ebooksread}}

|supporters =

|compartment =

|motto = (Above) Esto quod esse videris (Latin)

|orders = The circlet of the Order of St John surrounding the Shield and suspended beneath the OBE decoration
40px 40px

|other_elements = As Master Scrivener, Professor Watson-Gandy could impale the Scriveners' arms (dexter) with those of his family (sinister)[https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/impaling-arms-of-office www.college-of-arms.gov.uk]

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