How Governments Co-ordinate Investor-State Negotiations and Disputes

What makes the difference between a successful investor-state negotiation and an expensive international dispute?

In this episode of Negotiating Government, Negotient founding partner Iain Steel is joined by Katerina Drisi of ProSovereign Global to explore the often-overlooked challenge at the heart of major government investment deals: internal coordination.

Investor-state negotiations involve far more than a government department and a multinational investor. Whether the project concerns mining, energy, natural resources, infrastructure or a public-private partnership, governments must align the interests of finance, legal, labour, environment, investment and sector ministries — while retaining political support at the highest level.

Iain and Katerina discuss how governments can build effective negotiating teams, manage competing priorities across ministries and avoid the inconsistent decisions that can trigger investor claims for unfair or discriminatory treatment. They also examine the practical realities of investor-state arbitration, from gathering evidence and managing legal counsel to establishing clear processes when a claim is received.

The conversation explores why negotiation success depends on more than getting a contract signed. Strong implementation, structured handovers, realistic contractual obligations and clear accountability are all essential to preventing disputes later.

Drawing on experience advising governments across international investment projects, Iain and Katerina share practical lessons on:

• Building cross-government teams for investor-state negotiations
• Managing negotiation strategy, political escalation and back channels
• Preventing disputes through consistent administrative processes
• Improving handover from deal negotiation to implementation
• Designing contracts that can be delivered within real institutional capacity
• Strengthening government readiness for international arbitration

For government leaders, public-sector negotiators, investors, legal advisers and anyone involved in international investment, this episode offers a practical guide to negotiating better outcomes — and reducing the risk of disputes before they begin.

About the Podcast

Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.

The English Devolution Act 2026 has just passed — but how do combined authorities actually negotiate the deals, powers and investment that make devolution work in practice? Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority, joins James Dowling to reveal the strategy behind building regional coalitions, securing integrated settlements and attracting private investment. An essential listen for businesses, investors and public sector leaders navigating England's new devolution landscape.

Devolution is a Negotiation: Delivering Successful Regional Government in the North East

With the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 just receiving Royal Assent, England is entering a new era of regional government. But how do combined authorities actually negotiate the powers, funding and investment they need to deliver for their regions?

In this episode, James Dowling is joined by Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority and a former HM Treasury official, for a frank conversation about what devolution looks like from the inside.

What you'll learn:

• Why devolution should be treated as a negotiation — not a grant application — and how that mindset changes outcomes
• How the North East Combined Authority built a regional coalition of businesses, local authorities and private sector partners to strengthen its position with central government
• What an integrated settlement actually means in practice, and why it represents a fundamentally different relationship with central Government compared to traditional grant funding
• How Phil's background as a Treasury official gives the North East a strategic advantage in understanding what central government actually needs to hear
• The growing role of combined authorities in attracting foreign direct investment — and why businesses increasingly want to deal with regional government, not just Whitehall
• How private sector partners can use the devolution agenda as a lever for joint investment in regional infrastructure

About Phil Witcherley

Phil Witcherley is Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority. He has direct experience of both sides of the devolution negotiation — as a central government official and as a regional partner. He spent the first decade of his career in Whitehall, including at HM Treasury, before moving into local and regional Government; immediately before joining the Northeast Combined Authority, he was a Deputy Director at the Treasury's Darlington office, before moving into combined authority work. He has direct experience of both sides of the devolution negotiation — as a central government official and as a regional partner.

About the Podcast

Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.

Former Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke and HM Treasury official John Hall reveal the single most important insight for anyone negotiating with government: you are never just negotiating with a department — you are always negotiating with the Treasury. They explain the three tests every proposal must pass, why the person across the table from you is rarely the real decision-maker, and how to build a case that the Treasury will actually approve. Essential listening for CEOs, public affairs professionals and anyone bidding for government work.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why you are always negotiating with HM Treasury
• How government spending decisions really get made
• The three tests every proposal must pass: affordability, need, and value for money
• Why negotiations with government feel slow, unpredictable, and unclear
• How different Whitehall departments operate — and why culture matters
• The “hidden stakeholder” problem in government decision-making
• Practical strategies to influence the Treasury indirectly
• Why economic pressure is making government negotiations more difficult

Key Insight:

The person you’re negotiating with isn’t the decision-maker — they’re your route into the decision-making system. Your job is to help them build a case the Treasury will approve.

Who This Episode Is For:

• CEOs and senior leaders working with government
• Policy, public affairs, and regulatory professionals
• Private sector organisations bidding for government work
• Trade bodies and industry groups
• Anyone looking to understand how UK government decisions are really made

About the Podcast

Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.