Robert Gardener

Robert Gardener

Director of Government Affairs

London

+44 20 7296 7123

[email protected]

Robert Gardener

Overview
Experience
Credentials
Insights and events

"Robert Gardener has been a key individual for us. His deep insight into government and public affairs allows the department to give a political and media angle to their assistance which has made it much more practically valuable for us."
Legal500, Administrative and Public Law (Tier 1)

Robert Gardener advises clients alongside lawyers throughout the firm globally to ensure our advice factors in the positions of governments around the world and to provide clarity on regulatory environments. We are the only firm top-ranked by Chambers UK, for both Administrative and Public Law and Public Affairs, and by Legal 500 for Administrative and Public Law. Robert is also Global Co-Lead for Geopolitical Risk and National Security.

Robert began his career as an official in the Cabinet Office. He has lived in the Middle East, where he worked for a wholly-owned company of the Government of Abu Dhabi and sat on the Governing Body of the British Embassy. He now sits on the National Security and Investment expert panel in the Cabinet Office, and regularly advises Central Government on the impact of policy considerations on regulation and business. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Parliamentary Knowledge Foundation, which provides training schemes and practical experience for MPs outside Westminster under the patronage of The Speaker of the House of Commons. Robert holds a public appointment from the Justice Secretary as a Lay Adviser to the Northumbria multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA), and is a College Mentor at Durham University, where he read Law.

'Robert Gardener is a key name for regulatory and legislative issues.'
Legal500, 2026 Administrative and Public Law (Tier 1)

Representative experience

Advising Middle East leadership on cross-border strategic partnerships with international organisations, to maximise the contribution towards economic diversification.

Advising foreign governments, global corporations and not-for-profits on their UK engagement with ministers, senior officials and parliamentarians.

Advising corporations on current UK government policy and the cross-party political appetite for any changes to that policy, to support due diligence ahead of prospective corporate activity.