Neil Dryden is Co-Head of Compass Lexecon’s EMEA practice.

Neil specialises in competition economics, and has a broad expertise covering mergers, agreements, dominance, market studies and litigation.

Neil was awarded the 2016 Economist of the Year by Global Competition Review. He is listed among the most highly regarded “Global Elite Thought Leaders” in Competition Economics 2023 by Who’s Who Legal.

Neil has analyzed cases in sectors including advertising, banking and financial services, broadcasting, casinos, chemicals, cinemas, digital platforms, energy, FMCG, healthcare, manufacturing, media and broadcasting, medical devices, metals and mining, paper and packaging, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, postal services, pubs, publishing, retail, scientific instruments, sports, technology, telecommunications, tobacco, transport, and water.

Some of his recent merger work includes Yokohama Rubber Company/Trelleborg Wheel Systems, Hitachi/Thales GTS, Farfetch/YNAP, Noble/Maersk Drilling, Parker Hannifin/Meggitt, NortonLifeLock/Avast, S&P/IHS Markit, Lyreco/Staples Solutions, JD Sports/Footasylum and Amazon/Deliveroo. Neil is the expert for various claimants in the UK umbrella litigation proceedings on merchant interchange fees against Mastercard and Visa.

Neil was educated at Oxford University where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (first class) and an M.Phil. in Economics. At King’s College, London, he obtained a postgraduate diploma in EC competition law (with distinction).