Skip to main contentSkip to navigation
BCLP logo
  • People People

  • SectorsAerospace & DefenseData CentersEnergy TransitionFinancial InstitutionsFood & AgribusinessHealthcare & Life SciencesReal EstateRetail & Consumer Products Sports, Media & Entertainment

    View all sectors View all sectors

    Practice areasFinanceInvestigationsLitigationReal EstateRegulation, Compliance & AdvisoryTax & Private ClientTransactions

    View all practice areas View all practice areas

  • News News

    AwardsDiversityPro Bono

    View all News View all News

    Insights Insights

    BlogsPodcastsWebinars

    View all Insights View all Insights

  • Perspectives Perspectives

    Emerging Themes 2026M&A deals that deliverThe Sustainability Imperative Confronting CorruptionClass Actions
    Trending TopicsArtificial IntelligenceThe Corporate Transparency Act
  • Events Events

    Webinars
  • About us About us

    Pro bono & CommunityInclusion & DiversityResponsible BusinessOur Environment

    Client stories Client stories

    Media inquiries Media inquiries

  • Careers
  • Locations
  • Subscribe
BCLP logo
People
Capabilities
News & Insights
BCLP logo

Anna Blest

Anna Blest
  1. People

Anna Blest

Anna Blest

Knowledge & Innovation Counsel


London
Anna Blest
  1. People

Anna Blest

Anna Blest

Knowledge & Innovation Counsel


London

Anna Blest

Knowledge & Innovation Counsel

London

T: +44 (0) 20 3400 4475

VcardVcard
Download PDFDownload PDF
Print
Share
  • Biography

  • Resources

Biography

Anna is the Knowledge & Innovation Counsel for the Technology and Commercial Group. Her role is to support the team and its clients with technical legal knowledge, provide training and thought leadership and promote know-how across the practice area. Anna is also involved in the promotion of the knowledge of the group to existing and potential clients. Her advisory work covers the full range of work of the Group, including commercial contracts, information technology, intellectual property, data protection and outsourcing. She is part of the firm’s Retail & Consumer Products group and also advises on complex consumer law issues, including e-commerce regulations.

Anna is a contributing author to Financial Regulation: Emerging Themes in 2022 – an extensive collection of articles around the themes of Brexit; Regulatory Change; Regulatory and Litigation Risk; Technology; Governance; and Sustainability and People. Anna also authors the Global preface and UK chapter of Lexology’s Getting the Deal Through publication on cloud computing. She also contributes to the tendering and procurement section of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors isurv website.

Emerging Themes 2025

Emerging Themes 2025

Creating Connections

2025 marks the 15th edition of Emerging Themes in Financial Regulation & Disputes. This year, our overarching theme is Creating Connections, examining three main pillars: Technology, Transparency, and Trust.

Find out more Find out more

Admissions

  • England and Wales

Related capabilities

Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation

Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation

Naming Rights & Sponsorship Naming Rights & Sponsorship

Sports & Entertainment M&A Sports & Entertainment M&A

Entertainment Industry Entertainment Industry

Sports & Event Financing Sports & Event Financing

Olympic & National Governing Bodies Olympic & National Governing Bodies

Professional Sports Team Representation Professional Sports Team Representation

Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology

Copyrights Copyrights

Food & Beverage Food & Beverage

Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

General Data Protection Regulation General Data Protection Regulation

Carve-outs & Transitions Carve-outs & Transitions

Marketing & Advertising Marketing & Advertising

Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes

Outsourcing Outsourcing

Retail & Consumer Products Retail & Consumer Products

Sports, Media & Entertainment Sports, Media & Entertainment

Data Privacy & Security Data Privacy & Security

Commercial Transactions Commercial Transactions

Technology Transactions Technology Transactions

Corporate Corporate

Investigations Investigations

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Regulation, Compliance & Advisory Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

Healthcare & Life Sciences Healthcare & Life Sciences

Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation

Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation

Naming Rights & Sponsorship Naming Rights & Sponsorship

Sports & Entertainment M&A Sports & Entertainment M&A

Entertainment Industry Entertainment Industry

Sports & Event Financing Sports & Event Financing

Olympic & National Governing Bodies Olympic & National Governing Bodies

Professional Sports Team Representation Professional Sports Team Representation

Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology

Copyrights Copyrights

Food & Beverage Food & Beverage

Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

General Data Protection Regulation General Data Protection Regulation

Carve-outs & Transitions Carve-outs & Transitions

Marketing & Advertising Marketing & Advertising

Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes

Outsourcing Outsourcing

Retail & Consumer Products Retail & Consumer Products

Sports, Media & Entertainment Sports, Media & Entertainment

Data Privacy & Security Data Privacy & Security

Commercial Transactions Commercial Transactions

Technology Transactions Technology Transactions

Corporate Corporate

Investigations Investigations

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Regulation, Compliance & Advisory Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

Healthcare & Life Sciences Healthcare & Life Sciences

Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation

Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation

Naming Rights & Sponsorship Naming Rights & Sponsorship

Sports & Entertainment M&A Sports & Entertainment M&A

Entertainment Industry Entertainment Industry

Sports & Event Financing Sports & Event Financing

Olympic & National Governing Bodies Olympic & National Governing Bodies

Professional Sports Team Representation Professional Sports Team Representation

Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology

  • Copyrights

  • Food & Beverage

  • Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

  • General Data Protection Regulation

  • Carve-outs & Transitions

  • Marketing & Advertising

  • Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes

  • Outsourcing

  • Retail & Consumer Products

  • Sports, Media & Entertainment

  • Data Privacy & Security

  • Commercial Transactions

  • Technology Transactions

  • Corporate

  • Investigations

  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences

  • Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation

  • Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation

  • Naming Rights & Sponsorship

  • Sports & Entertainment M&A

  • Entertainment Industry

  • Sports & Event Financing

  • Olympic & National Governing Bodies

  • Professional Sports Team Representation

  • Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology

Resources

Publications

Anna is a contributing author to the tendering and procurement section of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors isurv website

Related insights

View all related insightsIcon: arrow

Insights
Aug 19, 2026

Commercial Payments Bill and its impact on construction contracts

An article, first published in PLC Construction, considering the Commercial Payments Bill, in particular the provisions that ban the practice of deducting and withholding retention payments under a construction contract, and the implications for the construction industry.
Insights
Aug 17, 2026

New EU Packaging Rules Are Now in Force — Is Your Business Compliant?

An August compliance deadline always presents challenges and the entry into force of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 on 12 August 2026 will require significant process changes, starting now, to enable businesses to meet the EU’s new compliance metrics for packaging and packaging waste. Whilst some of the compliance deadlines in the PPWR may feel distant, packaging redesign, supply chain adjustments, and regulatory approvals take time. Now is the moment to act. This briefing addresses some of the questions we are most commonly asked by our clients who sell packaged goods in and into the EU (including via retail and e-commerce channels), whether or not the business itself is based in the EU. It is intended as a general overview only. As the PPWR is detailed and fact-specific, please contact your usual BCLP contact for more advice on your particular packaging and supply chain arrangements.
Insights
Aug 10, 2026

EMEA Data Privacy, Digital Regulation & AI - 2026 Mid-Year Round-Up

Insights
Jul 20, 2026

Data Centre Investment in the UK: If You Build It, Will They Come?

What do you think about when you think about data centres, particularly in the context of the UK government’s commitment to regulate for growth and harness the efficiencies promised by AI innovation? We saw in the recent King’s Speech clear signs the government recognises the essential nature of the services a data centre provides (and its concomitant desire to protect those businesses who rely on data centre services). And with all the talk of token use and the raw compute power required to support the UK’s rapidly increasing adoption of AI, what challenges does the data centres industry face in the UK and how does it keep pace with the increasing levels of demand?
Insights
Jun 04, 2026

Cyber Litigation in Financial Services: managing the evolving risk

Cyber incidents are increasingly giving rise to complex, long‑tail litigation risk, particularly for financial services firms. As regulators place growing emphasis on operational resilience, outsourcing governance and accountability, the same regulatory findings may be repurposed to support civil follow‑on claims long after incidents occur. Regulatory investigations are taking longer to conclude and, alongside damages claims, courts are showing an increased willingness to grant urgent injunctive relief to prevent data misuse. As a result, firms should approach cyber preparedness not only as a regulatory or operational issue, but as a litigation risk mitigation exercise – aligning regulatory engagement, disclosure decisions and contractual liability planning from the outset. This article is the second in our three‑part Emerging Themes in Financial Regulation & Disputes 2026 series and follows our earlier analysis of cyber resilience and the 2026 regulatory shift. It examines the evolving litigation and regulatory landscape shaping cyber and operational resilience expectations for the year ahead and identifies practical priorities for financial services firms seeking to respond proactively. Our accompanying articles consider (i) cyber resilience and the 2026 regulatory shift; and (ii) operational resilience and the growing influence of critical third‑party designations.
Insights
Apr 30, 2026

Law Commission Announces Major New Project on Consumer Class Actions Regime

On 20 April 2026, the Law Commission of England and Wales announced a major new project on the introduction of a collective class action regime for consumer actions. The review will explore how a new regime could be designed, and the benefits and risks associated with a consumer class actions regime.  The review follows significant changes made to the consumer protection landscape with the entry into force of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2004 (“DMCCA”) last year (which  granted the CMA the power to directly enforce consumer protection law (without needing to go to court),  issue infringement notices, impose fines of up to 10% of annual global turnover, order consumer redress and issue other directions. The proposal to permit collective consumer actions is the latest in a series of steps targeted at bolstering the consumer law enforcement regime.  As the CMA ratchets up its enforcement activity in the areas of drip pricing and fake reviews (discussed in our recent briefings here: CMA Imposes First Financial Penalty Under New Consumer Powers in Drip Pricing Crackdown; CMA Steps Up Enforcement on Fake and Misleading Reviews: What Businesses Need to Know), it is worth considering how rights to bring collective consumer actions will change the UK’s consumer protection landscape.  The Law Commission has invited views on the project, providing a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to influence the scope and shape of any regime ultimately put in place.
Insights
Apr 29, 2026

From Tables to Term Sheets

Insights
Apr 21, 2026

CMA Imposes First Financial Penalty Under New Consumer Powers in Drip Pricing Crackdown

Insights
Apr 20, 2026

UK Government Targets Subscription Traps: What Businesses Need to Know

Related insights

Insights
Aug 19, 2026
Commercial Payments Bill and its impact on construction contracts
An article, first published in PLC Construction, considering the Commercial Payments Bill, in particular the provisions that ban the practice of deducting and withholding retention payments under a construction contract, and the implications for the construction industry.
Insights
Aug 17, 2026
New EU Packaging Rules Are Now in Force — Is Your Business Compliant?
An August compliance deadline always presents challenges and the entry into force of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 on 12 August 2026 will require significant process changes, starting now, to enable businesses to meet the EU’s new compliance metrics for packaging and packaging waste. Whilst some of the compliance deadlines in the PPWR may feel distant, packaging redesign, supply chain adjustments, and regulatory approvals take time. Now is the moment to act. This briefing addresses some of the questions we are most commonly asked by our clients who sell packaged goods in and into the EU (including via retail and e-commerce channels), whether or not the business itself is based in the EU. It is intended as a general overview only. As the PPWR is detailed and fact-specific, please contact your usual BCLP contact for more advice on your particular packaging and supply chain arrangements.
Insights
Aug 10, 2026
EMEA Data Privacy, Digital Regulation & AI - 2026 Mid-Year Round-Up
Insights
Jul 20, 2026
Data Centre Investment in the UK: If You Build It, Will They Come?
What do you think about when you think about data centres, particularly in the context of the UK government’s commitment to regulate for growth and harness the efficiencies promised by AI innovation? We saw in the recent King’s Speech clear signs the government recognises the essential nature of the services a data centre provides (and its concomitant desire to protect those businesses who rely on data centre services). And with all the talk of token use and the raw compute power required to support the UK’s rapidly increasing adoption of AI, what challenges does the data centres industry face in the UK and how does it keep pace with the increasing levels of demand?
Insights
Jun 04, 2026
Cyber Litigation in Financial Services: managing the evolving risk
Cyber incidents are increasingly giving rise to complex, long‑tail litigation risk, particularly for financial services firms. As regulators place growing emphasis on operational resilience, outsourcing governance and accountability, the same regulatory findings may be repurposed to support civil follow‑on claims long after incidents occur. Regulatory investigations are taking longer to conclude and, alongside damages claims, courts are showing an increased willingness to grant urgent injunctive relief to prevent data misuse. As a result, firms should approach cyber preparedness not only as a regulatory or operational issue, but as a litigation risk mitigation exercise – aligning regulatory engagement, disclosure decisions and contractual liability planning from the outset. This article is the second in our three‑part Emerging Themes in Financial Regulation & Disputes 2026 series and follows our earlier analysis of cyber resilience and the 2026 regulatory shift. It examines the evolving litigation and regulatory landscape shaping cyber and operational resilience expectations for the year ahead and identifies practical priorities for financial services firms seeking to respond proactively. Our accompanying articles consider (i) cyber resilience and the 2026 regulatory shift; and (ii) operational resilience and the growing influence of critical third‑party designations.
Insights
Apr 30, 2026
Law Commission Announces Major New Project on Consumer Class Actions Regime
On 20 April 2026, the Law Commission of England and Wales announced a major new project on the introduction of a collective class action regime for consumer actions. The review will explore how a new regime could be designed, and the benefits and risks associated with a consumer class actions regime.  The review follows significant changes made to the consumer protection landscape with the entry into force of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2004 (“DMCCA”) last year (which  granted the CMA the power to directly enforce consumer protection law (without needing to go to court),  issue infringement notices, impose fines of up to 10% of annual global turnover, order consumer redress and issue other directions. The proposal to permit collective consumer actions is the latest in a series of steps targeted at bolstering the consumer law enforcement regime.  As the CMA ratchets up its enforcement activity in the areas of drip pricing and fake reviews (discussed in our recent briefings here: CMA Imposes First Financial Penalty Under New Consumer Powers in Drip Pricing Crackdown; CMA Steps Up Enforcement on Fake and Misleading Reviews: What Businesses Need to Know), it is worth considering how rights to bring collective consumer actions will change the UK’s consumer protection landscape.  The Law Commission has invited views on the project, providing a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to influence the scope and shape of any regime ultimately put in place.
Insights
Apr 29, 2026
From Tables to Term Sheets
Insights
Apr 21, 2026
CMA Imposes First Financial Penalty Under New Consumer Powers in Drip Pricing Crackdown
Insights
Apr 20, 2026
UK Government Targets Subscription Traps: What Businesses Need to Know

Back to top

BCLP logo
  • People
  • Capabilities
  • Practice Areas
  • Sectors
  • News & Insights
  • Awards
  • Blogs
  • News & Events
  • Insights
  • Webinars
  • Perspectives
  • M&A deals that deliver
  • Emerging Themes
  • The Sustainability Imperative
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Legal notices
  • Privacy notice
  • Modern Slavery Act
  • Cookie policy
  • UK Transparency Rules
  • Tax Information
  • Media inquiries
Icon: linkedin

© 2026 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP