{{Short description|British lawyer and educationalist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = Professor | name = | honorific_suffix = of Myrton {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age| 1967|11|08}} | birth_place = Buckinghamshire, England | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | alma_mater = Essex University (LLB) | occupation = Barrister-at-law | known_for = Corporate law | spouse = Emanuella Johanna Christina ''née'' Giavarra (m. 1997) | children = 1 son, 1 daughter | relatives = Admiral Alec Tyndale-Biscoe; <br />Anthony Watson-Gandy; <br />Gyles Brandreth | awards = 40px OBE<br>40px CStJ | website = }} '''Mark Watson-Gandy''' (born 8 November 1967), is a British lawyer and educationalist, specialising in UK insolvency law, company law and private international law.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/people-of-today/profile/20493/Mark-WATSON-GANDY-OF-MYRTON|work=Debretts|title=Mark WATSON-GANDY OF MYRTON|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> Since 2019, Watson-Gandy serves as chairman of the Science and Technology Ethics Advisory Committee at the Home Office.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetbiometrics.com/article-details/i/10590/desc/professor-becomes-chair-for-biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group/|title=Professor becomes chairman for Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group {{!}} Planet Biometrics News|website=www.planetbiometrics.com|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group-announces-new-chair|title=Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group announces new chair|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Born in 1967 to Alastair Watson-Gandy and Barbara ''née'' Mądry, scion of the Watson-Gandy-Brandreth gentry family,<ref>''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage'', ''107th edition'' 2003, Volume 2, page 2848</ref> he was educated at Dr Challoner's Grammar School before graduating Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Essex. Watson-Gandy inherited the Scottish Barony of Myrton,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/E-25893-1107-293|title=Change of Name and/or Arms|website=www.thegazette.co.uk|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref> but does not use the title professionally.<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |date=1 August 2024 |title=Burke's Peerage |url=https://www.burkespeerage.com/search.php |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Burke's Peerage}}</ref>
==Career== Watson-Gandy was called to the Bar in 1990 at the Inner Temple and in 2013 to the Eastern Caribbean Bar (British Virgin Islands). He is a member of Three Stone chambers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://threestone.law/barrister/mark-watson-gandy/|title=Mark Watson-Gandy | Barristers|website=Three Stone}}</ref> A visiting professor of the University of Westminster since 1999, he has pioneered its Master of Laws degree in corporate finance law,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://westminster.academia.edu/ProfMarkWatsonGandy|title=Prof Mark Watson-Gandy - University of Westminster - Academia.edu|website=westminster.academia.edu}}</ref> and is a special lecturer at Cass Business School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/october/cass-professor-nominated-for-2009-barrister-of-the-year|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927203951/http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/october/cass-professor-nominated-for-2009-barrister-of-the-year|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2016|title=Cass Professor nominated for 2009|website=www.cass.city.ac.uk}}</ref> In 2000, Watson-Gandy was appointed by Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn as a Junior Counsel to the Crown serving until 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/attorney-generals-panel-counsel-appointments-membership-lists-and-off-panel-counsel|title=Attorney General's Civil Panel Counsel: appointments, membership lists and off panel counsel|website=GOV.UK|date=27 September 2023 }}</ref> In 2010, he was counsel to the Conference of Bishops for the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/in-the-city-edward-fennell-t9klf2xl29f|title=In the City: Edward Fennell|website=The Times|date=28 September 2023 |publisher=}}</ref> He then advised Gurkha veterans for the inquiry of the all-party parliamentary group on Gurkha welfare.<ref>{{cite web |title=LT Col Hamish Adams |url=https://gurkhainquiry.wordpress.com/submissions/lt-col-hamish-adams/ |website=Gurkha Welfare Inquiry |quote=Can be seen in the overall list by scrolling down}}</ref> In 2013, Watson-Gandy represented Craig Whyte in litigation over the financing of his ill-fated acquisition of Rangers Football Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/ex-rangers-owner-craig-whyte-begins-appeal-against-ticketus-ruling.1385642688|title=Ex-Rangers owner Craig Whyte begins appeal against Ticketus ruling|website=HeraldScotland|date=28 November 2013 }}</ref> He also served as counsel to the court-appointed trustee in litigation leading to the overturning of the UK bankruptcy of Tom McFeely.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/developer-mcfeely-bankruptcy-overturned-following-challenge-1.1066573|title=Developer McFeely bankruptcy overturned following challenge|newspaper=The Irish Times |publisher=}}</ref> He was counsel for the court-appointed amicus curiae in litigation over the collapse of the Stanford International Bank in Antigua and of Fairfield Sentry in the British Virgin Islands. He later successfully represented the court-appointed administrators of Cambridge Analytica.<ref name="GTKMWG">{{cite news |title=Getting to Know You: Professor Mark Watson-Gandy, founder, KidsMBA |url=https://bmmagazine.co.uk/entrepreneur-interviews/entrepreneurs/getting-to-know-you-professor-mark-watson-gandy-founder-kidsmba/ |access-date=15 April 2021 |publisher=Business Matters |date=22 November 2018}}</ref> A member of the Home Office Science Advisory Council,<ref>{{cite web |title=Professor Mark Watson-Gandy announced as new Chair for Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group |url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/professor-mark-watson-gandy-announced-as-new-chair-for-biometrics-and-forensics-ethics-group |website=University of Westminster}}</ref> beginning in 2019, Watson-Gandy serves as chairman of the Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group.<ref name="auto2"/> He is also the former chairman of Mental Health First Aid England<ref>{{cite web |title=MHFA England Chair Mark Watson-Gandy writes for Legal Week |url=https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/news/legal-week-chair-mark-watson-gandy/ |website=MHFA England}}</ref> and the Pure Cremation Group.<ref name="GTKMWG"/> In 2022, the ''Catholic Herald'' featured Watson-Gandy in its list of "Catholic Leaders of Today", the UK's 100 most influential lay Roman Catholics.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Catholic Leaders of Today 2022 |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/uk-catholic-leaders-of-today-2022-law-and-politics/ |website=Catholic Herald|date=2 November 2022 }}</ref>
==Publications== ===Books=== * ''Simple Contract Law'' - published in London 2020 * ''KidsMBA: How to build a successful business'' - published in London 2018 * ''[https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854902330/personal-insolvency-practice-litigation-procedure-and-precedents-2nd-ed-hardback-wildy-simmonds-and-hill-publishing Personal Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents 2nd Edition]'' - published by Wildy & Sons, London, 2018 * ''[https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854902187/corporate-insolvency-practice-litigation-procedure-and-precedents-hardback-wildy-simmonds-and-hill-publishing-e55c4db7-138f-45f5-bb24-81609b4722ea Corporate Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents 2nd Edition]'' - published by Wildy & Sons, London 2017 * ''Tolley's Company Secretary's Review – Corporate Precedents: Directors'' - published by Wildy & Sons, London 2013 * ''Personal Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents'' – published by Wildy & Sons, London 2012<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2616098.ece| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150517205042/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2616098.ece| archive-date = 2015-05-17| title = In the City: Addleshaw Goddard bucks a trend| website = The Times}}</ref> * ''Corporate Insolvency Practice: Litigation Procedure & Precedents'' – published by Wildy & Sons, London 2010<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/in-the-city-happy-days-are-here-again-or-is-that-just-for-the-legal-profession-0d6xkf8xtxf|title=In the City: happy days are here again — or is that just for the legal profession?|first=Edward|last=Fennell|website=The Times|date=28 September 2023 |publisher=}}</ref> * ''Watson-Gandy on Accountants – Law, Practice and Procedure, 2nd Edition'', published by Wildy & Sons, London 2008<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9781858116006/watson-gandy-on-the-law-relating-to-accountants-law-precedents-practice-and-procedure-2nd-ed-hardback-hammicks-legal-publishing|title=Wildy & Sons Ltd — The World's Legal Bookshop Search Results for isbn:<nowiki/> '9781858116006'|website=www.wildy.com}}</ref> * ''Watson-Gandy on Accountants – Law, Practice and Procedure, 1st Edition'', published by Wildy & Sons, London 2000<ref name="auto3"/> * ''Beyond the Peradventure'', published in London 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.lawin.org/beyond-the-peradventure/|title=Beyond the peradventure | Books | Encyclopedia of law}}</ref>
===Editorships=== Watson-Gandy has co-edited ''Butterworths Corporate Law Service'', LexisNexis (Company Law: co-editor since 2008), having previously been assistant editor of the ''Family Court Reporter'', local government editor of ''Justice of the Peace'' magazine and editor of ''Litigation'', the legal journal.<ref name="auto"/>
===Writing and speaking=== Watson-Gandy contributes a monthly column to ''Business Money'', the commercial finance magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-money.com/announcements/city-barrister-professor-mark-watson-gandy-explains-about-early-neutral-evaluation|title=City barrister Professor Mark Watson-Gandy explains about early neutral evaluation|website=www.business-money.com}}</ref> He also writes and speaks regularly in the media on legal matters and business education.
==Civic appointments and charitable service== Watson-Gandy's appointments to boards of companies as well as not-for-profit organisations include: thumb|right|150px|{{center|1=CStJ neck decoration}} * Chairman of ''Kids MBA Ltd'';<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ranisingh/2015/10/15/we-need-an-mba-for-kids-says-advocate/#3a57ab3d1c2c|title='We Need An MBA For Kids,' Says Advocate|first=Rani|last=Singh|website=Forbes|publisher=}}</ref> * Non-executive director of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/Ethics--Regulations/Professional-Conduct-Regulations|title=Professional Conduct|website=www.bookkeepers.org.uk}}</ref> * Chancellor of the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta;<ref>{{cite web |title=Simple Contract Law Stripping English Law of Complexity |url=https://issuu.com/benham/docs/hampshire_legal_march_2021/s/11865705 |website=Hampshire Legal}}</ref> *Liveryman (''now'' Past Master) of the Scriveners' Company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scriveners.org.uk/|title=Scriveners Company in London|website=www.scriveners.org.uk}}</ref>
==Honours and arms== Invested as Commander of the Most Venerable Order of Saint John (CStJ) in 2020,<ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3629513 www.thegazette.co.uk]</ref> Watson-Gandy was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for "public and voluntary service".<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=64269|supp=y|page=N13|date=30 December 2023}}</ref> * Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM)<ref>{{cite news |title=Fra' Andrew Bertie |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/malta/fra-andrew-bertie-lwzwvsvdcwc |access-date=5 June 2025 |work=The Times |date=23 April 2025}}</ref> * Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great of the Holy See<ref>{{cite web |title=ACTA APOSTOLICAE SEDIS |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/2007/novembre%202007.pdf |website=The Vatican |date=3 November 2007 |quote=Can be verified on page 54 or by searching "Mark Watson-Gandy"}}</ref> * Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George: investitures of new knights in Britain |url=https://romanchristendom.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-week-will-see-investitures-of-new.html |website=Roman Christendom |quote=Shows in third paragraph as someone who, based on the page title, would be receiving knighthood for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George}}</ref> * Cross ''pro Merito Melitensi'' of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} * Officer of the Order of Menelik II of the House of Solomon{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} *Freeman of the City of London<ref>{{cite web |title=The Guild of Young Freemen Issue 9 |url=https://kabetanistudio.pl/youngfreemen/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Guild-Of-Young-Freemen-newsletter-issue-09-1.pdf |website=The Guild of Young Freemen |quote=On page 18 or search "Mark Watson-Gandy" and verifies he is a freeman of the City of London and "OBE CStJ (past Master, Worshipful Company of Scriveners)}}</ref> *Freeman of the Goldsmiths' Company<ref>{{cite web |title=The Goldsmiths' Review |url=https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/goldsmiths-review/the-goldsmiths-review-17-18 |website=The Goldsmiths' Review |quote=Verification found on page 41 of the PDF or search for "Mark Watson-Gandy" and is shown under "New Freemen" appointments}}</ref> *Master Scrivener for 2022/23.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roll of Masters |url=https://scriveners.org.uk/pages/roll-of-masters |website=The Scriveners Company |quote=Listed on the roll of masters when you scroll down on the page}}</ref>
{{Infobox COA wide |name = Professor Mark Watson-Gandy of Myrton |image = | footnotes = |year_adopted = Grant (Heralds' College, England) and matriculated, Lyon Court, Scotland (2005)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/E-25893-1107-293|title=Change of Name and/or Arms|website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}</ref> |coronet = Chapeau of a Scottish feudal baron<br>40px |escutcheon = Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Per pale Sable and Or five Mascles in cross counterchanged (''for'' BRANDRETH); 2nd, Per pale Argent and Or on a Chevron Azure between in chief a Crescent of the Last between two Martlets Sable and in base a Crescent of the Third a Martlet between two Crescents of the Second (''for'' WATSON); 3rd, Per fess nebuly Gules and Argent in chief two Pairs of Swords in saltire Proper pommel and hilts Or and in base a Saltire couped of the First (''for'' GANDY) |crest = Upon the Battlements of a Tower Proper a Lamb passant Or holding in its dexter foreleg a Staff also Proper flying therefrom a Pennon Argent charged with a Cross Gules<ref>{{cite web |title=Armorial familis: a directory of gentlemen of coat-armour |url=https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/arthur-charles-fox-davies/armorial-families--a-directory-of-gentlemen-of-coat-armour-volume-2-dxo/page-248-armorial-families--a-directory-of-gentlemen-of-coat-armour-volume-2-dxo.shtml |website=ebooksread}}</ref> |supporters = |compartment = |motto = (Above) ''Esto quod esse videris'' (Latin) |orders = The circlet of the Order of St John surrounding the Shield and suspended beneath the OBE decoration<br>40px 40px |other_elements = As Master Scrivener, Professor Watson-Gandy could impale the Scriveners' arms (dexter) with those of his family (sinister)<ref>[https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/impaling-arms-of-office www.college-of-arms.gov.uk]</ref> |banner = |badge = |symbolism = |previous_versions = }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://westminster.academia.edu/ProfMarkWatsonGandy Academia profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson-Gandy, Mark}} Category:Living people Category:1967 births Category:English people of Scottish descent Category:English Roman Catholics Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:Alumni of the University of Essex Category:People educated at Dr Challoner's Grammar School Category:Members of the Inner Temple Category:English barristers Category:Academics of the University of Westminster Category:British television executives Category:British non-fiction writers Category:English male non-fiction writers Category:21st-century Scottish landowners Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts Category:Knights Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great Category:Knights of Malta Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:Commanders of the Order of St John Category:Brandreth family