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Jens Henniker Heaton

Partner

Jens Henniker Heaton in a black jacket and a tie, in front of a window

What can I do for you

Jens advises government departments, their agencies and private‑sector partners on complex programmes across the defence, aerospace and built‑environment sectors. Much of his work involves supporting public‑sector bodies through major procurements, commercial structures and long‑term partnerships, ensuring that policy objectives, operational needs and value‑for‑money requirements are aligned. Jens also acts for private‑sector contractors, suppliers and investors navigating the demands of delivering high‑profile, tightly regulated projects. Beyond defence‑focused work, he has significant experience in PPP and built‑environment schemes, including the development, financing and operation of purpose‑built student accommodation. He guides clients from early project scoping to contract delivery, providing clear, practical advice and a collaborative, commercially grounded approach.

Supporting your ambitions

A recent example of his work is leading the legal advice to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on UKSAR2G, the next‑generation UK search and rescue aviation programme. This was a highly complex, multi‑year procurement designed to deliver a modern, resilient and value‑for‑money service that meets the UK’s future operational needs. Jens supported the MCA through every stage - from early commercial strategy and market engagement to structuring the contract suite, managing risk allocation, and steering the project through a detailed negotiated process.

What do others say

"I am writing to thank you for accommodating our procurement negotiations over recent weeks. I’ve received very positive feedback from the Senior Responsible Owner for the Programme, who was delighted not only with how the negotiations themselves were conducted, but also with the highly professional settings in which they took place.


The blend of professionalism, collaboration, and shared purpose you helped us bring to these sessions is exactly what we are striving for, and I am pleased to hear that we achieved that balance exceptionally well." 

What else should you know

I was born and raised in Sweden, which means I still believe that proper coffee should be strong enough to stand a spoon upright and that queueing is an Olympic‑level discipline. At home, my wife and I have four young children so most days involve a lively mix of diplomacy, logistics and crowd management that makes even the most complex government project feel straightforward. Life is busy, noisy and hugely entertaining, and it keeps me grounded, adaptable and well‑practised at finding solutions in unexpected places.

What our clients say about us

  • I think Mills & Reeve are a wonderful firm. The support they have provided to us in a really difficult area has been brilliant, collaborative and commercially minded. The team were absolutely wonderful and a joy to work with. Amazing advice and support and a real collaborative effort with us. I can't thank them enough for getting us through some really tough times and doing so with an amazing can-do attitude.
  • They are friendly, fast, always available and always on top of the game. I tend to judge my legal team against the other side's legal team and never doubt Mills & Reeve is the better of the two.
  • All interactions have been very clear. Responses to questions have always been very swift and unambiguous. Our company, and my family, have used various services in Mills & Reeve with the same level of satisfaction.
  • I value the fact that Mills & Reeve are recognised as a good place to work in the UK Best Companies survey. This aligns with the values of our business and means that Mills & Reeve can share what is required to achieve this status with our business.

As many clients will testify, too many lawyers deliver the required legal expertise but fail to deliver an outstanding client experience. Which is why we always listen to our clients and constantly ask ourselves what we can do to deliver the results you expect.

You expect a close and attentive working relationship, with a lawyer that is responsive and available when you need them. You also want clear, pragmatic and commercial advice tailored to your needs, and transparency and certainty on costs. We completely agree. That’s why every day, through our culture and approach we are committed to delivering the exceptional results and service our clients expect of us.

Related sectors and services

  • Built environment
  • Commercial
  • Aerospace and defence
  • Government