Licensing

Chairman, Senior Partner and Head of Licensing

Introducing Andrew

Andrew Cochrane is a key member of our management board and is responsible for strategic planning, chairing partnership meetings and acting as the lead ambassador for the firm.

He was instrumental in the foundation of our Dispute Resolution team and its subsequent division to form our specialist Debt Recovery, Employment and Licensing teams.

As a hospitality sector specialist, Andrew heads up our Licensing team which undertakes work for local and national operators of pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels and hostels.

His advice also extends to pub and leisure industry-related matters including litigation, debt recovery, estate management and resolving Code of Practice issues.

Experience

Andrew has acted for many household names, including Star Pubs and Bars Ltd (the leased and tenanted division of Heineken UK), the Youth Hostels Association, Macdonald Hotels, Kew Green Hotels and Marston’s PLC.

He has an enviable reputation as a leading licensing lawyer and has never permanently lost a licence throughout his legal career.

To ensure that he understands first-hand the process involved in becoming a licence holder, Andrew has undertaken the training himself and holds a personal licence.

He also holds the BII Designated Premises Supervisor Qualification and the Scottish Personal Licence Certificate as well as being an associate member of the British Institute of Innkeeping and a member of the Institute of Licensing.

In addition to the qualifications that Andrew holds, both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 recognise him as a leading individual for his work in licensing.

Institute of Licensing Member Under Sheriff of Derbyshire Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

1988-1990: Law Society Finals at the Chester College of Law 1984-1988: Master of Arts in Political Studies at the University of Aberdeen

An active key part of the Derby business community, Andrew is a board member at Foundation Derbyshire, Derby College and Hubbub Theatre Company and is an organising committee member for the Derbyshire Brain Game.

In 2022, Andrew was appointed Chair of Governors of Derby College Group (DCG). He has been a governor since 2019.