Jonathan Garforth

• Global lawyer to a global B2B payments fintech company on matters including its sale from public to private ownership, the launch of new payments and credit offerings, and the sale of its European tolls business.
• Advised an American multinational fintech company operating an online payments system on its acquisition of a crypto asset business.
• Advised multiple clients, including fintech businesses, on regulatory permission applications with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in respect to crypto assets and “buy now, pay later” permissions.
• Advised an international financial center on its establishment of a payments regulatory framework.
• Advised on the £14 billion sale of a British bank’s “bad bank” assets to a U.S.-based private equity house.
• Advised on a British multinational universal bank and financial services holding company’s recovery, resolution planning, and ring-fencing projects.
• Advised on IPOs in the online payments, online banking, and small business loans sectors.

Jonathan Garforth established his career working with some of the world’s leading banking and fintech regulatory practitioners. Following training at a top Australian firm, he moved to London’s Magic Circle, honing his financial regulatory practice on several of the most significant matters coming out of the financial crisis. He represented the Bank of England, worked on the disposal of the Northern Rock assets, and was heavily involved in the recovery and resolution planning and ring-fencing projects for one of the world’s largest banks.

Jonathan followed his passion for innovation by pivoting towards representing fintech clients on their disruption of traditional business models. Clients include digital payments and credit providers, P2P lending platforms, cryptoasset businesses, and others whose products rely on blockchain technology and AI. He continues to advise banks and investors like PE and VC firms on fintech and consumer finance deals.

Jonathan’s clients, including international fintech businesses seeking to enter the UK and Europe, come to him for strategic advice on new product launches, regulatory change projects, M&A, and corporate finance transactions. He is a trusted advisor to his banking, credit, and fintech clients who rely on Jonathan’s advice on broader matters such as employment, IP, data protection, and tax, as well as the management of potential regulatory breaches. He is recognized by Who’s Who Legal in the Fintech & Blockchain category.

Bar Admissions

• UK SRA Registered Foreign Lawyer in England and Wales
• High Court of Australia
• Supreme Court of Queensland

Education

• The University of Queensland (BCom. & LL.B. Hons, 2005)

Memberships