Rob Bratby

Rob Bratby is an English lawyer with more than thirty years’ experience specialising in telecoms regulation, AI governance, data protection and technology transactions. With more than thirty years’ experience in the UK, Europe and Asia, He advises organisations operating across communications networks, digital infrastructure, cloud services, software and data-driven technologies. Rob Bratby’s work combines technical foundations, regulatory insight and commercial pragmatism to provide clear, senior-level guidance on complex, high-value and strategically significant matters.

Rob Bratby’s legal practice is strengthened by technical foundations and senior leadership training. He holds a Natural Sciences and Law degree from Cambridge, an MBA from Henley, a Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from Bristol, and is a graduate of the INSEAD International Directors Programme, equipping him with board-level governance, risk and strategic insight. Clients value his ability to translate complex legal, regulatory and technical issues into strategic guidance that supports decision-making at CEO, board and investor level.

Rob Bratby has worked in the UK, Europe and Asia, including senior private practice and in-house positions and a period at the UK telecoms regulator. Today he leads Bratby Law and act as fractional general counsel to UK and international technology, digital infrastructure and telecoms organisations. He also co-counsel alongside law firms and consultancies.

Professional Profile

Rob Bratby advises organisations on telecoms regulation, AI governance, data protection and technology transactions, drawing on extensive private practice, in-house and regulatory experience.

How I Support Clients

Rob Bratby’s work aligns with the firm’s five service pillars.

1. Telecoms regulation

Rob Bratby advises operators, digital infrastructure providers and investors on UK and international telecoms regulation, licensing, spectrum, wholesale access, network transformation, interconnection and market entry. Rob Bratby supports clients navigating Ofcom, EU and cross-border regulatory frameworks and prepare regulatory submissions for complex or high-stakes matters.

2. AI and data governance

Rob Bratby helps businesses design and implement proportionate, compliant and defensible AI and data governance frameworks. This includes EU AI Act and UK AI regulatory alignment, data protection compliance, responsible AI deployment, and engagement with regulators. Rob Bratby advises on risk assessments, governance structures and documentation suitable for audit, accountability and board assurance.

3. Transactions

Rob Bratby acts on commercial contracts, technology deals, telecoms infrastructure arrangements, SaaS and cloud contracting, joint ventures and telecoms sector M&A. Rob Bratby supports negotiations, structure complex arrangements and ensure that governance, risk allocation, IP, regulatory and operational requirements are clearly reflected.

4. Co-counsel support

Rob Bratby partners with international, US and UK law firms, strategy consultancies, TMT advisers, technical consultancies and regulatory consultancies requiring specialist telecoms, AI, data or digital-infrastructure capability. This includes regulatory advice, project support, briefings, second-chairing negotiations and preparing high-quality analysis for global transactions, disputes and strategic studies.

5. Fractional General Counsel

Rob Bratby provides senior strategic legal, regulatory and commercial support to technology companies, scale-ups, SaaS and digital-infrastructure businesses. This includes governance, board advisory, risk frameworks, programme delivery, customer and vendor contracting, regulatory readiness, and investor-facing documentation.

Career Background

Rob Bratby’s experience ranges across private practice, in-house and regulatory roles, including managing partner positions in London and Singapore. Rob Bratby founded Bratby Law to offer a boutique, specialist alternative to large-firm legal services, enabling clients to access deep sector expertise delivered with speed, clarity and commerciality. Before founding Bratby Law Rob Bratby worked at leading US and UK law, in-house at a telecoms operators and at the UK telecoms regulator.

Why Clients Choose Rob Bratby

Clients consistently highlight:

• technically informed analysis grounded in real-world commercial and operational understanding
• deep experience across telecoms, technology, AI and data regulatory frameworks
• strong board-level communication and governance insight
• pragmatic, outcome-focused advice
• the ability to slot seamlessly into project teams, boards and cross-disciplinary groups
• access to a senior experienced partner without large-firm overheads or delays

Recognition and Professional Contributions

Over the course of my career, Rob has been recognised for my work at the intersection of telecoms regulation, digital infrastructure, technology, AI and data governance. Clients, colleagues and industry bodies have consistently highlighted his ability to provide clear, commercially focused advice on complex and highly technical matters, and to deliver outcomes that withstand regulatory, contractual and board-level scrutiny.

Rob has contributed to sector development through participation in industry working groups, regulatory consultations and strategic studies relating to telecoms, digital transformation and AI governance. His experience includes leading legal and regulatory workstreams on major infrastructure deployments, advising on significant national and cross-border projects, and supporting organisations through periods of regulatory change. Rob has had the privilege of advising a wide range of UK and international businesses, from global operators and digital infrastructure providers to technology companies, investors and high-growth scale-ups.

Rob’s academic and professional training provides a further foundation for rigorous, technically informed analysis. Rob holds a Natural Sciences and Law degree from Cambridge, an MBA from Henley, a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice from Bristol, and he is a graduate of the INSEAD International Directors Programme. This mix of legal, technical, commercial and governance training enables him to support organisations facing multi-dimensional challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, technology adoption, digital transformation and organisational risk management.

Across both contentious and non-contentious matters, he is known for working collaboratively with clients, boards, investors, advisers and co-counsel. His work is shaped by the same principles that underpin Bratby Law: clarity, precision, technical depth and a focus on practical outcomes.

See more

• Why choose Bratby Law?
• Services
• Telecoms Regulation
• AI and Data Governance
• Transactions
• Co-counsel
• Fractional General Counsel