Sullivan
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Biography

Robert has over 30 years' experience advising banks, non-bank financiers, funds, fintechs, credit insurers, commodity producers and traders on complex cross-border financing arrangements across the commodity and trade industry. He represents clients in financing and monetising the international production, storage, movement and distribution of raw materials and manufactured goods, and is recognised for his work in structured trade and inventory finance, as well as the use of financial instruments such as letters of credit, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other secure payment arrangements in international trade.

With an established reputation in the field of digital trade, including the creation of digital platforms and the use and enforceability of electronic trade documents and payment instruments, Robert is also known for his deep knowledge of shipping-related advisory work and trade-related disputes, including high-profile letters-of-credit litigation.

Robert is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and the ICC Banking Commission Legal Committee. He writes and speaks frequently on topics relevant to digital trade and commodity and trade finance.

Before joining Sullivan, Robert was a partner in another global law firm in London. 

Education
  • The College of Law, Chester
  • University of Sheffield (LL.B.)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Solicitor, Senior Courts of England and Wales
Awards & Honors
  • Chambers UK, Commodities: Trade Finance (UK-wide) (2025-2026)
  • Recognised in the "Hall of Fame" by The Legal 500 UK (2025-2026)
Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Fraud Prevention in Trade Finance – Lessons Learned and Lessons Forgotten
Partner Robert Parson has written an article published by both Finance and Credit Law and Trade Treasury Payments titled: “Fraud Prevention in Trade Finance – Lessons Learned and Lessons Forgotten.” Trade finance remains one of the lowest loss asset classes globally, underpinned by robust legal structures, mature market practice and increasing participation from private credit and non-bank lenders. However, recent high-profile frauds demonstrate that long-established controls can still fail when discipline and vigilance weaken. Fraud typically exploits operational complacency rather than structural flaws, with perpetrators taking advantage of gaps in monitoring, documentation, and ongoing credit oversight. The article looks at the following: Strong foundations are not enough: Trade finance structures are generally sound but require continuous application of core principles including the verification of underlying goods, enforceability of security and authenticity of receivables. Fraud evolves with opportunity: Common schemes include fictitious invoices, duplicate financing, over-invoicing and collusion between buyers and sellers, often masked by apparently normal trading patterns. Ongoing monitoring is critical: Many major losses (including “end-of-life” frauds) occur where lenders failed to identify behavioural changes, deteriorating accounts or irregular reporting. Technology is supportive, not decisive: AI and analytics can enhance monitoring, but effective fraud prevention still depends on active engagement, borrower understanding, and consistent enforcement of covenants. Recent collapses in global trade finance highlight that even sophisticated lenders can be exposed when vigilance fades. The core lesson remains unchanged: prevention depends on disciplined execution, curiosity and continuous scrutiny throughout the life of the facility. The article can be read in full on TTP’s website, here.
TTP and Sullivan Breakfast Club – Fighting Fraud in Trade
TTP (Trade Treasury Payments) and Sullivan recently jointly hosted a Breakfast Club session bringing together market participants to examine one of the most persistent challenges in trade and receivables finance: fraud. Drawing on real cases, market data and first-hand experience, the session, titled "Fighting Fraud in Trade," explored whether fraud can ever be fully eliminated, or whether institutions should instead focus on practical strategies to mitigate risk and reduce exposure. The discussion moved beyond headline issues to consider the realities within financial institutions, SMEs and supply chains. The panel examined how fraud typologies continue to evolve, and what has been done in some countries but not so much in the UK market to combat high levels of activity in areas such as duplicate financing, invoice re-ageing, and debtor collusion. Particular attention was given to the broader economic environment, including how liquidity constraints and financial pressure can create conditions in which fraudulent behaviour may emerge as a response to stress rather than purely premeditated conduct. The session also addressed practical steps that financial institutions can take to strengthen controls, enhance due diligence and better identify early warning signs across trade finance portfolios. The seminar was introduced by Eleanor Hill, Treasury Editor, TTP. The speakers included: Geoffrey Wynne, Sullivan & Worcester (moderator) Robert Parson, Partner, Sullivan Neil Shonhard, CEO, MonetaGo David Cuckney, Executive Director, ICC Crime Bureau Antia Martinez, Associate Director, Receivables and SCF Europe, WTW
Know Your Fraudster: Why the Old Risks Still Shape Modern Trade Finance
Geoffrey Wynne and Robert Parson were quoted in an article titled "Know Your Fraudster: Why the Old Risks Still Shape Modern Trade Finance," published by Trade Treasury Payments (TTP) summarising a recent Breakfast Club session jointly hosted by TTP and Sullivan & Worcester on April 22 at The Lansdowne Club in London. The seminar, "Can We Beat the Fraudsters In Our Trade Finance Transactions?," featured Geoff as the panel moderator and Robert as one of the panellists, and brought together market participants to examine the persistent challenge of fraud in trade and receivables finance. The article describes how trade finance fraud, while relatively rare, poses a significant and evolving challenge that cannot be fully eliminated but can be mitigated through stronger coordination, improved data sharing, and layered risk controls across the industry. It highlights how fraud impacts SME lending, the growing sophistication of fraudsters—especially with AI—and the importance of ongoing monitoring, legal safeguards, and insurance solutions, while emphasizing that information asymmetry and lack of collaboration remain key barriers to effectively reducing risk. The article can be read in full here.
Sullivan Advises Heath Goldfields In Offtake Agreement and Debt Financing with Trafigura for Bogoso Prestea Mine
London – Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has advised Heath Goldfields, the Ghanaian mining company revitalising the historic Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine in Ghana, in signing a landmark gold offtake agreement with Trafigura Pte Ltd, a market leader in the global commodities industry. Under the terms of the offtake agreement, Trafigura has committed to purchase 700,000 ounces of gold doré from the Bogoso–Prestea operation. The agreement secures a long-term sales channel for Heath Goldfields’ production at competitive market-linked terms and provides revenue certainty as the company scales output from the mine. This is one of the most significant gold offtake commitments in West Africa in recent years and marks a major milestone in the Bogoso–Prestea revival programme. Alongside the offtake agreement, Trafigura is providing $65 million in debt financing to support the restart of the mine’s oxide ore operations. The Sullivan team is led by partner Robert Parson and associate Pedro Leake-Bandeira. The firm worked closely with JLD & MB Legal Consultancy in Accra, which advised on local law matters. Robert Parson, leading the Sullivan team advising Heath Goldfields comments: “This transaction secures both commercial certainty and operational flexibility for Heath Goldfields. The offtake with Trafigura establishes a reliable long-term revenue stream, strengthening the project’s bankability as production ramps up. The integration of the $65 million financing alongside the offtake required careful structuring to balance lender protections with operational flexibility. This transaction sets a strong precedent for future resource-backed financing in West Africa.” About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best in class client service. For further information please visit the firm’s website or LinkedIn.

Robert Parson

Robert has over 30 years' experience advising banks, non-bank financiers, funds, fintechs, credit insurers, commodity producers and traders on complex cross-border financing arrangements across the commodity and trade industry. He represents clients in financing and monetising the international production, storage, movement and distribution of raw materials and manufactured goods, and is recognised for his work in structured trade and inventory finance, as well as the use of financial instruments such as letters of credit, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other secure payment arrangements in international trade.

With an established reputation in the field of digital trade, including the creation of digital platforms and the use and enforceability of electronic trade documents and payment instruments, Robert is also known for his deep knowledge of shipping-related advisory work and trade-related disputes, including high-profile letters-of-credit litigation.

Robert is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and the ICC Banking Commission Legal Committee. He writes and speaks frequently on topics relevant to digital trade and commodity and trade finance.

Before joining Sullivan, Robert was a partner in another global law firm in London. 

Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Fraud Prevention in Trade Finance – Lessons Learned and Lessons Forgotten
Partner Robert Parson has written an article published by both Finance and Credit Law and Trade Treasury Payments titled: “Fraud Prevention in Trade Finance – Lessons Learned and Lessons Forgotten.” Trade finance remains one of the lowest loss asset classes globally, underpinned by robust legal structures, mature market practice and increasing participation from private credit and non-bank lenders. However, recent high-profile frauds demonstrate that long-established controls can still fail when discipline and vigilance weaken. Fraud typically exploits operational complacency rather than structural flaws, with perpetrators taking advantage of gaps in monitoring, documentation, and ongoing credit oversight. The article looks at the following: Strong foundations are not enough: Trade finance structures are generally sound but require continuous application of core principles including the verification of underlying goods, enforceability of security and authenticity of receivables. Fraud evolves with opportunity: Common schemes include fictitious invoices, duplicate financing, over-invoicing and collusion between buyers and sellers, often masked by apparently normal trading patterns. Ongoing monitoring is critical: Many major losses (including “end-of-life” frauds) occur where lenders failed to identify behavioural changes, deteriorating accounts or irregular reporting. Technology is supportive, not decisive: AI and analytics can enhance monitoring, but effective fraud prevention still depends on active engagement, borrower understanding, and consistent enforcement of covenants. Recent collapses in global trade finance highlight that even sophisticated lenders can be exposed when vigilance fades. The core lesson remains unchanged: prevention depends on disciplined execution, curiosity and continuous scrutiny throughout the life of the facility. The article can be read in full on TTP’s website, here.
TTP and Sullivan Breakfast Club – Fighting Fraud in Trade
TTP (Trade Treasury Payments) and Sullivan recently jointly hosted a Breakfast Club session bringing together market participants to examine one of the most persistent challenges in trade and receivables finance: fraud. Drawing on real cases, market data and first-hand experience, the session, titled "Fighting Fraud in Trade," explored whether fraud can ever be fully eliminated, or whether institutions should instead focus on practical strategies to mitigate risk and reduce exposure. The discussion moved beyond headline issues to consider the realities within financial institutions, SMEs and supply chains. The panel examined how fraud typologies continue to evolve, and what has been done in some countries but not so much in the UK market to combat high levels of activity in areas such as duplicate financing, invoice re-ageing, and debtor collusion. Particular attention was given to the broader economic environment, including how liquidity constraints and financial pressure can create conditions in which fraudulent behaviour may emerge as a response to stress rather than purely premeditated conduct. The session also addressed practical steps that financial institutions can take to strengthen controls, enhance due diligence and better identify early warning signs across trade finance portfolios. The seminar was introduced by Eleanor Hill, Treasury Editor, TTP. The speakers included: Geoffrey Wynne, Sullivan & Worcester (moderator) Robert Parson, Partner, Sullivan Neil Shonhard, CEO, MonetaGo David Cuckney, Executive Director, ICC Crime Bureau Antia Martinez, Associate Director, Receivables and SCF Europe, WTW
Know Your Fraudster: Why the Old Risks Still Shape Modern Trade Finance
Geoffrey Wynne and Robert Parson were quoted in an article titled "Know Your Fraudster: Why the Old Risks Still Shape Modern Trade Finance," published by Trade Treasury Payments (TTP) summarising a recent Breakfast Club session jointly hosted by TTP and Sullivan & Worcester on April 22 at The Lansdowne Club in London. The seminar, "Can We Beat the Fraudsters In Our Trade Finance Transactions?," featured Geoff as the panel moderator and Robert as one of the panellists, and brought together market participants to examine the persistent challenge of fraud in trade and receivables finance. The article describes how trade finance fraud, while relatively rare, poses a significant and evolving challenge that cannot be fully eliminated but can be mitigated through stronger coordination, improved data sharing, and layered risk controls across the industry. It highlights how fraud impacts SME lending, the growing sophistication of fraudsters—especially with AI—and the importance of ongoing monitoring, legal safeguards, and insurance solutions, while emphasizing that information asymmetry and lack of collaboration remain key barriers to effectively reducing risk. The article can be read in full here.
Sullivan Advises Heath Goldfields In Offtake Agreement and Debt Financing with Trafigura for Bogoso Prestea Mine
London – Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has advised Heath Goldfields, the Ghanaian mining company revitalising the historic Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine in Ghana, in signing a landmark gold offtake agreement with Trafigura Pte Ltd, a market leader in the global commodities industry. Under the terms of the offtake agreement, Trafigura has committed to purchase 700,000 ounces of gold doré from the Bogoso–Prestea operation. The agreement secures a long-term sales channel for Heath Goldfields’ production at competitive market-linked terms and provides revenue certainty as the company scales output from the mine. This is one of the most significant gold offtake commitments in West Africa in recent years and marks a major milestone in the Bogoso–Prestea revival programme. Alongside the offtake agreement, Trafigura is providing $65 million in debt financing to support the restart of the mine’s oxide ore operations. The Sullivan team is led by partner Robert Parson and associate Pedro Leake-Bandeira. The firm worked closely with JLD & MB Legal Consultancy in Accra, which advised on local law matters. Robert Parson, leading the Sullivan team advising Heath Goldfields comments: “This transaction secures both commercial certainty and operational flexibility for Heath Goldfields. The offtake with Trafigura establishes a reliable long-term revenue stream, strengthening the project’s bankability as production ramps up. The integration of the $65 million financing alongside the offtake required careful structuring to balance lender protections with operational flexibility. This transaction sets a strong precedent for future resource-backed financing in West Africa.” About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best in class client service. For further information please visit the firm’s website or LinkedIn.