Browne Jacobson team advises GKN Aerospace on VentilatorChallengeUK

Law firm Browne Jacobson provided pro bono advice to global aerospace engineering client GKN Aerospace in its key role as a member of Ventilator Challenge UK - a ground-breaking consortium of industrial, technology and engineering businesses working together to increase the manufacture of medical ventilators to the NHS in the fight against COVID-19.

GKN Aerospace is working with ventilator manufacturer Smiths Medical, Rolls-Royce and Thales, among other leading names, to scale up production of the critical equipment by sharing engineering expertise and assembly facilities. The Browne Jacobson team, which assisted with the suite of new contracts required to facilitate the project and advised on liability and health regulation risks, was led by senior associate Nick Smee, supported by partners Helen Simm, Rachel Lyne and Selina Hinchliffe and associate Kulpreet Virdi.

Eamon Connolly, Senior IP Counsel at GKN Aerospace, commented:

“Since the Government made its appeal it has been a race against time to put the logistical, technical and legal arrangements into place in order to get this much needed equipment to the frontline. The efforts made by the various consortium members to meet these challenges has demonstrated UK manufacturing at its very best. We are grateful to everyone who has helped us so far.”

Nick Smee, senior associate at Browne Jacobson, added:

"With a project of this magnitude there are a wide range of legal hurdles to overcome. We wanted to offer the expertise we have in house to support the consortium and help in the fight against COVID-19. It is a truly inspirational project to be a part of and we are thankful to GKN Aerospace for bringing us on board.”

In a further response to the coronavirus pandemic Browne Jacobson launched its BeJoined campaign which aims to bring clients together across the public and business sectors who are either offering or are in need of assistance in the fight against Covid-19.