Dominic Watkins

Dominic is the Head of DWF's internationally renowned food sector group as well as being Head of Regulatory in London. Dominic's focus is on regulatory compliance and defence for the food, retail and hospitality sectors; Dominic helps clients launch and maintain products on the market. Drawing on his in-house experience, Dominic delivers commercial solutions to complex regulatory issues. His work is split into three key areas ' food, safety and brand protection, including all types of trading standards work. Dominic's food law practice is incredibly diverse ' from launching products in multiple member states to judicially reviewing the Department of Health to keep clients' products on the market to food safety prosecutions. Dominic was heavily involved in advising on the horsemeat scandal and has a deep interest in the impact that supply chain management has on the food industry. Brand protection work is focused on higher risk advertising in particular comparative campaigns and price claims. Dominic has been seconded to Sainsbury's, Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Danone, during his career (most of which more than once). This experience allows him to understand key industry issues and, importantly, the client's needs. This is particularly important when handling crisis situations, for example during his significant involvement in representing and advising clients in the horsemeat scandal. Although based in the UK his practice is European. Dominic has advised multiple retailers on the launch of new stores in member states from the Netherlands to Spain, covering the core regulatory issues such as safety, trading law and alcohol licensing as well as on retailer's obligations when undertaking pan-EU and global e-com sales. Dominic has advised on food launches in over a dozen member states simultaneously and product recalls and withdrawals in multiple member states. Dominic has appeared on national radio speaking on key topics, such as supply chain, pricing and sugar content. He also regularly speaks at conferences, nationally and internationally including Sustainable Foods Conference, (Amsterdam, 2015) International Food Supplements Conference (Frankfurt 2015) NSF EMEA Food conference (2015), Food Matters Live (2014) Sustainable Cosmetics Conference (New York, 2014), Food Manufacturer Food Information Regulations Webinar (2014), FoodEx (2014), Food Manufacturer Food Safety Conference (2013) and Institute of Food Technologists Conference (Chicago, 2013). He has been published in all of the leading food sector trade publications.