Partner

Karl Foster

karl.foster@arbor.law +44 (0)7949 212619

ABOUT

Introduction

Karl is a corporate and commercial lawyer specialising in technology, FinTech and financial services regulatory matters. He has spent most of his career in senior in-house roles, starting in telecoms at Orange (now EE) before moving into financial services at Atradius Credit Insurance and subsequently holding General Counsel positions at two FinTech businesses.

His strategic focus is on technology as a driver of operational efficiency and commercial growth, with particular expertise in managing legal and regulatory risk in digital and FinTech environments. He advises across commercial contracts, corporate matters, AI, data and privacy, product development and financial services regulation, working with both multinationals and start-ups and scale-ups.

Karl has held numerous Head of Legal and General Counsel positions for FinTech and SaaS businesses, and brings extensive telecoms and media experience alongside deep knowledge of the financial services regulatory perimeter.

Behind the lawyer

Karl has young twins, so spare time is limited. When he can unwind, he hikes in Wales, paddleboards, cycles and hits the gym. He also has a keen interest in history.

Education

University of Bristol

Law

University of Kent

BA History and Law

Previous roles

Spencer West (2020 - present)

Partner

W Legal (2022 - present)

Consultant Partner

Arch Law (2023 - present)

Consultant Partner

Clarivate (2023 - present)

Secondment via Obelisk

Qzee Ltd (2021 - present)

Director

Ericsson (2021 - 2023)

Secondment via Elevate

New Look (2021)

Secondment via Flex

French Connection (2021)

Secondment via Flex

Acuity (2020 - 2021)

Partner

The Indigo Group / Credas (2020)

Head of Legal

Blake Morgan LLP (2019 - 2020)

Head of FinTech

MicroEnsure (2017 - 2019)

Global General Counsel & Head of Legal

Atradius (2009 - 2017)

Corporate Counsel

Orange PLC (now EE) (2002 - 2009)

Senior Legal Counsel

Dolmans (2001 - 2022)

Solicitor

Services

Legal specialties

Technology Agreements and Outsourcing Drafting and negotiating technology agreements and outsourcing arrangements across the FinTech, TMT and digital infrastructure sectors.
AI, Data and Privacy Advising on AI governance, data protection and privacy matters for technology and financial services clients, with experience across UK GDPR and international data regimes.
Product Development and Route to Market Advising businesses on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing new product development and commercial launch strategies.
Financial Services Regulatory Perimeter Advising FinTech and Web3 clients on structuring their activities to navigate the financial services regulatory perimeter in the UK and internationally.

Solutions

Sectors

Emerging Markets and Impact Investment Cross-border investment, impact funds, and development finance across emerging markets. Financial Services Regulatory Advising on financial services regulation in a UK and international context, helping clients identify… FinTech Advising FinTech and Web3 clients on structuring their activities, developing their products and navigating… International Expansion and Market Entry Cross-border investment, impact funds, and development finance across emerging markets. Media Advice for media businesses on rights, licensing, commercial deals, and regulation. Technology Counsel for SaaS, platforms, AI, and deep-tech businesses navigating growth and scale. Telecoms and Digital Infrastructure Specialist support for connectivity, data centres, and digital infrastructure operations.

You have been amazing, supporting us since the beginning of our journey with incredible advice, expertise and support at every stage. Your multi-disciplinary expertise across commercial, IP, data, tech and business has made all the difference.” – Jonathan Petrie, Co-founder and CEO, dot on

Arbor balances legal expertise with practicality, helping to better adapt and react to any situation.

Legal 500 (2026)

Highly skilled pragmatic professionals who supplement in-house teams with specialist knowledge and industry know-how.

The team are fantastic - they are highly efficient, commercial and collaborative. They are genuinely customer-focused and care about the client's needs. They consider the big picture and are by far the best value for money of all my external supports.

We are very confident they are able to handle whatever is necessary. They know the space and they have common sense.

Chambers & Partners (2026)

Arbor balances legal expertise with practicality, helping to better adapt and react to any situation.