Robert Finney

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Robert Finney is a British legal and financial expert with extensive experience in financial regulation, commodities, and derivatives markets. He has held several prominent positions throughout his career, contributing significantly to the development of financial markets and regulatory frameworks.
== Career ==
=== HFW ===
Finney spent over 12 years at HFW, a global law firm, where he served in various capacities:
* Consultant (April 2018 - Present)
* Partner (May 2012 - March 2018)
At HFW, Finney specialized in regulation, governance, and markets in the financial and energy/commodities sectors. His expertise covered financial regulation related to securities, derivatives, and commodities, with a focus on advising energy and commodities businesses, banks, exchanges, and other financial institutions.
=== Academic Role ===
Finney served as a Visiting Professor at the Université de Fribourg - Universität Freiburg in Switzerland from November 2018 to June 2020. He delivered an annual module on financial and commodity derivatives for Masters of Law (LLM) students.
=== Law Consultant for AIFC ===
From March 2021 to December 2022, Finney worked as a Law Consultant for the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in Kazakhstan. His role involved preparing proposals for developing the Kazakh/AIFC legal framework for commodity exchange regulation.
=== Previous Law Firm Experience ===
Prior to HFW, Finney held partner positions at other prestigious law firms:
* Partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP (December 2010 - May 2012)
* Partner at Dentons (formerly SNR Denton) (May 1990 - November 2010)
At these firms, he focused on financial regulatory practices, particularly in banking, securities, derivatives, and commodities regulation.
=== In-House Counsel Roles ===
Finney's early career included in-house counsel positions at major financial institutions:
* Morgan Stanley (February 1988 - May 1990)
* Credit Suisse (October 1986 - February 1988)
In these roles, he dealt with regulatory issues, especially in equities, futures, and commodities sales and trading.
== Expertise ==
Finney is recognized for his expertise in:
* Financial regulation (investment services, banking, and commodities)
* Securities and derivatives products and markets
* Energy and commodities trading
* Market infrastructure development
* Investment funds
* Islamic finance
His work has involved advising on commercial, governance, and regulatory issues, as well as documentation in these areas.
== Board Positions ==
Finney has held several non-executive director positions:
* Non-Executive Director and Trustee at Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust (July 2021 - Present)
* Non-Executive Director at Plane Saver Credit Union (December 2019 - Present)
 
In these roles, he has served on various committees, including Finance, Audit & Risk, and as Chair of the Risk Committee.
== Publications ==
Finney has contributed to the field through publications, including a briefing on "Major New Derivatives Regulation - The Science of Compliance," which summarized key rules in EU and US regulation and their impact on end-users. Also, the U.K. Bribery Act: A Primer For International Securities Firms, September 07, 2011.
== Awards and Recognition ==
*Chambers UK 2011 – Commodities: Derivatives
*Legal 500 UK 2010 - Commodities & Futures: Futures and Financial Services
*Legal Experts 2010 – Commodities & Futures and Financial Services
*'Best Legal Advisor - Regulatory & Commercial', The Compliance Register Platinum Awards (2010)
== Education ==
*LL.B. (Hons), University of Edinburgh (1977)
== References ==	
Category:Bios - Executives
Category:Public Relations Professionals
Category:Dentons - Former Employees
Category:Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP - Former Employees
Category:Morgan Stanley - Former Employees
Category:Credit Suisse - Former Employees