Expertise
With over two decades of experience advising organisations on their commercial and technology arrangements, Prakash (‘PK’) is recognised as an expert in technology and outsourcing. He has also been advising on FinTech since he started his career – including BankTech, InsurTech, RegTech, WealthTech, payments, cryptocurrency, and digital assets.
In addition to being part of Gateley’s technology and outsourcing team, PK leads Gateley’s FinTech and digital assets practices, supporting both established financial institutions and ambitious new entrants. Whether helping a startup navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes or supporting a bank through the procurement of cutting-edge and critical FinTech solutions, PK brings clarity, commercial insight, and a collaborative approach to every engagement. His expertise in cryptocurrency, digital assets, and blockchain technologies is particularly sought after, and he is praised for his ability to demystify technical complexity.
In recognition of his work in the intersection of law, innovation, and financial services, PK was appointed to techUK’s Financial Services Council in 2023 and, more recently, re-elected in 2025 – this time also as the Council’s co-chair, reflecting his growing influence in shaping the future of financial technology.
He advises on the full spectrum of legal and contractual issues related to software, hardware, data, and services arrangements – covering everything from licensing and SaaS arrangements to major development and implementation projects to large scale outsourcings and transformations. His deep technology market knowledge and pragmatic style help clients finalise the contract negotiation process efficiently and with confidence.
During his career, PK has held senior in-house legal roles at technology businesses Dell and Business Objects (now SAP), and has served as General Counsel at Tandem Bank, a digital challenger bank. At Tandem, he not only led the legal function but also played a pivotal role in the bank’s acquisition of Harrods Bank – a landmark transaction that helped shape Tandem’s growth trajectory.
PK is known not just for his technical expertise, but for his genuine, down-to-earth approach. He’s someone clients enjoy working with – he listens, understands their goals, and helps them get there.
How do you help clients?
I help clients:
- navigate complex technology transactions by combining deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the commercial and technical landscape;
- structure technology and outsourcing arrangements that are strategically aligned, operationally sound, and legally robust;
- manage risk intelligently, identifying and mitigating legal, regulatory, and operational exposures without compromising deal momentum;
- get deals done swiftly and efficiently, balancing thoroughness with pragmatism to meet business timelines;
- negotiate contracts that reflect market norms, leveraging my insight into risks and current trends to secure competitive and robust terms;
- resolve contractual issues, using strategic thinking and negotiation skills to achieve favourable outcomes and mitigate risks;
- understand the implications of emerging technologies, including AI, cloud, and data-driven platforms, ensuring legal and contractual solutions support innovation;
- protect their interests in long-term commercial relationships, building in flexibility, accountability, and clear exit strategies;
- align legal terms with operational realities, ensuring contracts are not only legally sound but also practically workable;
- communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, translating legal complexity into clear, actionable advice for boards, procurement teams, and tech leads.
- including startups and scaleups navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes.
Experience
- Advising a major international business on a series of commercial and technology contracts, working closely with internal procurement and business teams to ensure alignment with operational goals and timely execution.
- Supporting a major UK bank on a series of regulated technology and outsourcing arrangements, navigating complex legal and regulatory requirements while maintaining momentum and finalising contracts on schedule and within budget.
- Advising Vaultex (a leading cash processing business) on its critical outsourcing agreements with two leading UK banks. This deal is unique – and goes to the heart of the infrastructural ‘rails’ on which cash (multiple billions of pounds) is handled and processed in the UK.
- Routinely acting as de facto General Counsel for start-ups and scale-ups, providing agile, strategic legal support directly to CEOs and CFOs across a range of commercial, technology, and corporate matters.
- Drafting and negotiating high-value and business critical outsourcing and managed services agreements for various non-technology businesses, ensuring risk is appropriately allocated and commercial objectives were met.
- Advising clients on cloud services, SaaS, and digital transformation projects, helping them to adopt new technologies with confidence and contractual clarity.
- Providing strategic advice to a UK challenger bank on strategic partnerships and joint ventures, balancing innovation with legal and regulatory objectives to support long-term growth.
- Advising multiple financial institutions on their outsourcings to leading core banking providers (including for example, Thought Machine) – delivering pragmatic legal advice in fast-paced environments, enabling clients to make informed decisions quickly and close deals efficiently.
- Providing end-to-end legal support on procurement-led technology deals, from RFP review through to contract drafting, negotiation, and finalisation, board reporting, and post-signature actions.