Daniel Vowden

Partner

Daniel is a Partner in the Competition team at Travers Smith and an antitrust specialist with over twenty years of experience advising across the full spectrum of UK and EU competition law matters.

Daniel has acted on many challenging, high-profile merger control cases, including numerous Phase II inquiries and matters requiring structural or behavioural remedies. Having formerly practiced in Brussels, Daniel’s in-depth UK knowledge is complemented by extensive experience securing international regulatory approvals for cross-border M&A transactions. This includes regularly advising clients on foreign direct investment regimes, with a particular focus on the UK's National Security and Investment Act.

Daniel's transactional proficiency is balanced with expertise in behavioural and advisory matters, including EU and UK cartel investigations.

Daniel is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and is also admitted to the Brussels Bar (A-List). He has been recognised as a "Next Generation Partner" by Legal 500 EMEA.

Selected highlights

The Boeing Company’s US10.55 billion disposal of its Digital Aviation Solutions business, with merger control approvals required in multiple jurisdictions and two separate notifications required under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 given the deal structure.

The joint acquisition by GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners of US$4.4 billion of railcar assets from Wells Fargo, securing unconditional Phase 1 EUMR approval.

Advice to numerous private equity investors, including Omni Partners, Marlin Equity and Star Capital Partners, on M&A activities and related merger control and FDI filings in the UK and internationally.

Capital and Counties PLC’s £3.5 billion public offer for rival Shaftesbury PLC, securing unconditional CMA Phase 1 clearance (after an Issues Meeting).

AbbVie, Inc’s US$63 billion acquisition of Allergan, with EUMR Phase 1 clearance conditional on business divestments and a licensing remedy.

Acting for Bauer Media on UK Phase 1 and Phase 2 investigations into a series of transformative acquisitions made in the UK commercial radio sector, with clearance subject to complex behavioural remedies.

Represented M&J Group in relation to the CMA’s investigation into potential bid-rigging in respect of government funded r school works projects. Included in-person assistance during the dawn raid by the CMA in December 2024 and advice throughout the subsequent investigatory proceedings.

Advised one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies with UK and EU dawn raid audits and compliance training, as well as assisting with varied antitrust concerns, including in relation to EU pricing strategy and collaboration with competitors on sustainability initiatives.

Acted for Mitsubishi in respect of investigations conducted by the European Commission and CMA into an end-of-life vehicle recycling cartel. This was a landmark case, the first instance of a cartel being investigated in parallel in the UK and EU following Brexit.

Represented a leading UK housebuilder in connection with the CMA’s market study into the housebuilding sector.

*work included from previous firms