A Londoner and law graduate of Queen Mary (UL), I’ve been a criminal barrister since 1980, taking silk in 2003. I was a founding member of Furnival Chambers where I developed a busy practice over 25 years, moving on in 2010, latterly to 7 Bedford Row before being appointed Chief Criminal Counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority in 2017. I have held door tenancies in Cardiff and Nottingham. I live in Suffolk, I enjoy walking my lurcher, playing classical and jazz guitar, horse-racing, sailing solo on the East Coast but most of all the company of my irreverent family.

Committee Vice Chair 2023

I have done the following for the Inn:

Ran three London marathons raising money for scholarships.
Ran 5km a day at the start of lockdown to help younger members of the Bar who were in financial difficulties. I raised over £1,000.
Participated in scholarship interviews.
Devoted a lot of time to teaching advocacy to pupils, new practitioners, at Cumberland Lodge on the vulnerable witness course.
Given many mock pupillage interviews.
Brought many young people to Open Days.
I was brought up on benefits and was homeless for a short time. My background was rich because of incredible diversity I experienced in inner city Birmingham.

Committee Vice Chair 2021

Committee Vice Chair 2021

Simon Rowbotham has recently moved to London from Manchester, where his practice included all areas of family and Court of Protection law.