Bleddyn Rees
As head of the Public Sector practice and a healthcare expert, my work primarily involves advising on complex contracts, outsourcing and projects.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 0321
Email: bleddyn_rees@wragge.com
Services: Projects, Commercial, Outsourcing
Business sectors: Healthcare, Public Sector
Best brains in...
Mission Impossible transactions and timetables. I'm a very experienced lead partner coordinating large multi-disciplinary legal teams. We always agree the client's service requirements and always exceed the client's expectations.
Highlight of your career so far?
Inventing the transfer procedure to take the first professional rugby league player to rugby union after it went professional (Jonathan Davies, Widnes to Cardiff RFC).
Most challenging job you've ever done?
My secondment as general counsel to the Commercial Directorate of the Department of Health for three and a half years! I had to coordinate legal advice across almost 50 contracts with as many as 20 being simultaneously negotiated. At the same time, I had to deal with Parliamentary questions, a Select Committee, National Audit Office and advice to Ministers. I have a very healthy respect for the role of public sector lawyers.
What about outside the UK?
I really enjoy the challenges of overseas transactions and have been fortunate to do acquisitions in a number of European countries as well as outsourcings in Spain, the Middle East and the United States. I particularly enjoyed a number of banking transactions and a National Association of Securities Dealers listing for Nimbus where it was fascinating to compare and be involved in major US transactions.
What's your definition of going the extra mile... And when have you done it?
Going the extra mile is about always trying to make a difference. Sometimes it's expertise, sometimes getting it done at all and sometimes making it fun.
Stepping into a meeting on a particular day for another partner and emerging eight days later having completed a transaction. I was supposed to be on holiday during half term and I only got to my hotel bedroom on three of the seven nights! I had jet lag and had to buy my wife an expensive dress!
Best example of a creative legal solution?
Creating the contractual framework to allow the NHS Clinical Negligence scheme to be used by private sector organisations contracting to deliver NHS Services. Nobody thought this was possible and it took many months to gain approval and complete the contractual terms. However, it was very worthwhile saving tax payers hundreds of millions of pounds over the life of the contracts awarded and guaranteeing that NHS patients have exactly the same protections whoever performs the NHS services.
What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?
I will be riding my bike from Land's End to John O'Groats raising money for a charity the firm will select by ballot!
What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?
'He walks the talk and is one of those lawyers you want on your side of the table.'
