The Archive (2020-2023)

Cyber security in the era of quantum computing

In this podcast Rob Sumroy, head of Technology Group and the global Cyber hub at Slaughter and May, Robert Hannigan, Chairman of BlueVoyant International and Senior Adviser to McKinsey & Co, and Dr Ali El Kaafarani, Research Fellow at the Mathematical Institute (University of Oxford) and Founder/CEO of PQShield, discuss the risks that quantum computing poses to the security of organisations and their data. Is there a solution we should be investing in now to stay quantum secure?

Quantum Computing 101

In this podcast David Subel, an associate in one of our corporate teams and Emily Bradley, a professional support lawyer in our financial regulation group, discuss the key findings of their research into what is meant by ‘quantum computing’. Both David and Emily are members of our Slaughter and May quantum technologies hub.

What is the value of M&A?

In this podcast, Professor Scott Moeller (Director of the M&A Research Centre at the Business School (formerly Cass)) and Jordan Ellison (Competition Partner at Slaughter and May) discuss why companies engage in M&A, what makes a successful deal and what the latest research studies tell us about the impact of transactions on shareholder value and innovation. In a world where competition authorities are increasingly likely to block deals on the basis of limited competition harms, communicating the value of M&A is now more important than ever.

Demystifying Sustainability Linked Financing

Sustainability-linked loans: what are they, how are they structured and why are they increasingly popular?

In this podcast, we discuss the features that make a loan sustainability-linked, what parties should be thinking about when putting one in place, the impact of meeting key performance indicators and how the various indicators are measured.

Shareholder activism – trends and tips for the year ahead

In this podcast, Corporate partners Filippo de Falco and Claire Jackson discuss the shareholder activism trends that emerged in 2020, and whether these trends will carry over into 2021. They reflect on both the increase in M&A activism and the increasing importance of ESG considerations to both activists and corporates, before providing key tips for companies looking to defend themselves against activist shareholders.

Investigations and Enforcement Outlook 2021: Corporate Crime

In the third podcast of the series, Jonny Cotton, Sir David Green and Holly Ware discuss the criminal investigations and enforcement outlook for 2021. In particular they look at the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) recent activity, the possible changes to the corporate criminal liability regime, the impact of Brexit and other likely international developments.

Climate risk and the Pension Schemes Act

In this podcast we consider the impact on the new requirements on climate related risk governance and reporting requirements in the Pension Schemes Act 2021.  We cover the detailed new requirements for trustees of larger occupational pension schemes, which will come into force in October 2021, and how schemes of all sizes will need to take into account the new requirements.

Investigations and Enforcement Outlook 2021: Financial Institutions

In the second podcast of the series, Jan Putnis, Ewan Brown and Ella Williams discuss the outlook for financial institutions enforcement in 2021. In particular they focus on the expected areas of increased activity for the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the reported drop in criminal investigations conducted by the FCA, the likelihood of the FCA pursuing civil resolutions and the impact of COVID-19 on financial services firms.

Regulating Digital – Can privacy laws enhance digital innovation?

In this podcast, part of our Regulating Digital series, Natalie Donovan interviews Rob Sumroy and Duncan Blaikie about whether our current privacy rules are fit-for-purpose in an increasingly digital age, whether the ICO is doing enough to encourage innovation in the digital space and how, in practice, businesses can innovate in a privacy compliant way.

Merricks v Mastercard and the future of collective actions in the UK

In this podcast Camilla Sanger, Damian Taylor and Tim Blanchard discuss the UK Supreme Court’s much-anticipated judgment in Merricks v Mastercard and its wider implications. The judgment is one of the most important commercial judgments of 2020 and represents a significant development in the future of the UK’s collective proceedings regime.