Jenna Franklin joins Stephenson Harwood as partner

Jenna is a corporate lawyer, trained barrister and senior data protection and privacy specialist. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector across the UK, EMEA and APAC regions, Jenna's wide-ranging expertise incorporates data privacy, investment and retail banking, investment management, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance. She co-chairs the Data Protection Finance Group, a UK network of more than 400 senior lawyers and privacy professionals across the financial services sector. As well as private practice experience, Jenna has extensive in-house experience having worked for leading financial services organisations, including Santander where she established the bank's data privacy legal function.

"With new UK and EU data-related laws set to come into force over the next few years, more clients are seeking specialist data protection expertise and advice on their data strategies," said Tom Nicholls, head of Stephenson Harwood's corporate practice. "Jenna's significant sectoral experience, and knowledge of data protection in relation to financial services and fintech, will enhance the specialist support and services we can provide to our clients."

"Technology is a strategic priority area for the firm," said Simon Bollans, partner and head of Stephenson Harwood's technology sector group. "Jenna's arrival – which closely follows that of partners Michael Bywell and Peter Dalton – demonstrates our commitment to further developing our capabilities in the technology and data space. It is an exciting time for the group, and I know that Jenna will play a pivotal part in the team's next stage of growth."

Stephenson Harwood's commercial technology team provides a full range of legal services to businesses involved in the sector. The firm acts for clients including established technology companies, start-ups, and businesses in traditional (non-tech) sectors undergoing digital transformation of their business operations. The firm's international data protection team, led by Katie Hewson, advises on all aspects of data protection law – covering advisory, transactional, contentious and investigations data privacy issues – across a wide range of sectors and jurisdictions.