Rafia Biva

I am a legally trained regulatory and policy professional with broad experience spanning financial regulation, intellectual property, and commercial law. At the Financial Conduct Authority, I contribute to policy development and compliance alignment through drafting, stakeholder engagement, and process optimisation. My legal experience extends to drafting a wide range of agreements, including employment contracts, NDAs, licensing terms, privacy policies, and commercial documents. Beyond my regulatory work, I founded and manage a restaurant venture, gaining hands-on experience in contract negotiation, lease and supplier agreements, Companies House and HMRC filings, and end-to-end business compliance. This blend of legal, policy, and operational expertise gives me a strong understanding of how regulation, governance, and commercial realities intersect enabling me to approach policy work with both analytical precision and practical insight.

I have built a multidisciplinary career across regulation, legal practice, and commercial operations. At the Financial Conduct Authority, I support the development and implementation of regulatory and policy frameworks, drafting SOPs and guidance to ensure compliance with FSMA and FCA standards. My previous experience spans roles in litigation funding at Augusta Ventures, fintech and IP law at Clearlake LLP, and regulatory licensing at Transport for London — where I strengthened my expertise in compliance, stakeholder management, and legal analysis. In addition to my public sector and legal work, I manage a restaurant venture, gaining practical experience in contract drafting, negotiations, supplier management, and compliance with Companies House and HMRC requirements. This combination of regulatory insight, legal precision, and business acumen allows me to approach policy and compliance challenges with both analytical rigour and commercial awareness.

LLM in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary University of London — Graduated with Merit (2:1). Focused on copyright, trademark, and licensing, with modules in IP in Fashion, Law for the Business of Film, M&A, and Multinational Enterprises.

LLB Law (Hons), University of Greenwich — Achieved a 2:1. Studied core legal disciplines including Contract, Company, and Financial Regulation Law, alongside modules in Advocacy and Human Rights.

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) — Planning to undertake the  Preparation course and the SQE assessments in 2026 to qualify as a solicitor, building on existing experience in law.