Bio
Natalie Barton-Howes helps clients to minimise the impact and interruption to their business in the event of criminal, regulatory and inquisitorial investigations, which can otherwise lead to increasingly substantial fines, significant costs and prison.
The events involved following an incident can be far-reaching, requiring a carefully coordinated internal investigation often alongside investigations from your regulator, an inquiry, the Police, the Coroner, and/or your insurers, which all need to be balanced against the business continuing to operate, as safely as possible.
Natalie is responsive, knowledgeable and handles matters with sensitivity. Natalie uses her experience to provide immediate pragmatic advice in the aftermath of an event or incident, such as fatalities and serious injuries, participation in inquiries, environmental breaches, healthcare investigations and product recalls. She takes a holistic approach not only to avoid potentially criminal consequences, but to consider and manage PR and HR issues, reduce the amount of management time involved, and avoid any effect on future business opportunities.
Natalie also works with companies to gain an insight into the level of risk they face and how incidents can be prevented, conducting audits of company procedures and advising on effective risk management and avoidance.
She handles the ongoing relationship with the regulator and other investigating organisations with tact, always ensuring that the best interests of the company are represented throughout, including at interviews under caution, at inquests, inquiries and any enforcement action which can follow.
Clients
Food and drink manufacturers, healthcare and social housing providers, developers, building materials and construction and engineering contractors and consultants, logistics, public sector organisations.