Ben Woodfield

I'm an associate in Bird & Bird's London-based Commercial Group. I have a particular focus on major projects, primarily in the IT, healthcare and defence sectors.

Such projects often involve a complex matrix of agreements and a joint venture or collaborative element. Because of this, an understanding of how the deal fits together is hugely important. I am experienced at managing the constituent strands of a project and closing issues efficiently to drive the deal to completion. I work closely with other teams within Bird & Bird, drawing on the expertise within the firm to ensure that the various components of a project are effectively addressed.

In addition, my project experience includes advising at the post-signature contract management phase, which provides a different outlook. This has enabled me to develop a clear appreciation of the challenges faced by clients in delivering complex projects with multiple moving parts and, more importantly, how these challenges can be addressed and mitigated pre-signature.

More generally, I have broad experience in the technology sector and regularly advise on a range of matters including software licensing, cloud services and system implementation. I have gained a good understanding of the market having acted for both customers and suppliers, including on a secondment basis. I have an interest in disruptive technology and am a regular attendee at the firm's UAS roundtable event.

I trained with Bird & Bird from 2010 onwards and qualified as an associate two years later.

• Acting as lead associate on the restructuring of a leading pathology provider's business, including its arrangements with its NHS customers – a deal which formed the basis of a nomination for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards.
• Providing long term contract management advice in relation to a major project for the staged roll-out of upgraded air traffic management services.
• Assisting on the public sector re-tendering of healthcare services to be provided to British servicemen in Germany.
• Advising a well-known restaurant chain on its agreement for the supply of a cloud based point of sale (POS) system.
• Advising a leading NHS Trust on the procurement of its community information system.