UK law firm TLT has appointed Gemma Townley as a partner in its technology, IP and data team, further strengthening its public sector offering.
Gemma, who joins from Sharpe Pritchard, specialises in technology procurement and commercial contracts. Her experience includes advising public sector and private clients on outsourcing projects and providing key strategic and commercial advice on procurement.
At TLT, Gemma will work with the firm’s public sector team, providing information and advice to central and local government clients and blue light services on all types of complex technology and telecommunications procurements.
Gemma also brings a wealth of experience in healthcare, having undertaken a secondment to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Test & Trace programme as a senior commercial lawyer in the Test & Trace legal team. She has also advised the UK Health Security Agency on the strategic procurement of the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory to aid the national roll-out of PCR tests.
Gemma re-joins partner Gareth Oldale, TLT’s head of data, privacy and cybersecurity, having previously worked together at Sharpe Pritchard.
Gareth Oldale, partner at TLT, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Gemma to our growing team. Her appointment further increases TLT’s public sector offering and adds depth and talent to our national technology, IP and data team at a time of increased demand for public procurement support.
“Her expertise and deep understanding of the challenges faced by the public sector, both generally and specifically in the context of running multi-million pound digital transformation programmes, is a great asset to the firm. Gemma is well placed to advise and support on complex procurement matters and further builds our capability and offering to both private and public sector clients.”
Gemma Townley, partner at TLT, says: “Public procurement is set to be transformed in the next few years and will result in both opportunities and challenges for the public sector. The legal sector as a whole is also adapting in response to client demand for more innovative and agile legal services.
“TLT is recognised as a leader in innovation and offers a unique platform to develop and champion innovative, solution-focused advice to the public sector during this time and beyond.
“I’m really excited to be joining TLT at such a pivotal moment and I’m looking forward to working with the team to support our clients with their procurement and technology projects.”