The Archive (2020-2023)

Redundancy in focus: “People not employees”

In the second episode of our ‘Redundancies in focus’ podcast series, Lizzie Twigger, Katherine Flower and Clare Fletcher discuss the ‘people’ angle, and consider how traditional labels, terminology and mindset on redundancies need to adapt in the current climate.

Climate-related issues for Occupational Pension Schemes

In August 2020 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published proposals for legislation and statutory guidance on governance and reporting of climate change issues in line with the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In this podcast we discuss different aspects of the consultation, including translating the TCFD Recommendations into law and guidance, the impact of climate-related risks on trustees’ duties, DB vs DC schemes, and penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations.

Redundancy in focus - Brexit and COVID-19: The perfect storm?

COVID-19 has forced corporates to re-evaluate their recovery plans and consider alternative measures to protect their long-term futures. One such measure is redundancies. In the first of a new, five-part podcast series addressing business-critical areas for employers to consider in the current climate, Phil Linnard and Clare Fletcher share their insights on how Brexit and COVID-19 is shaping the landscape for redundancies.

Raising capital through sale and leasebacks: In conversation with JLL

Last year saw EMEA corporate sale and leaseback transactions hit a record high. With such transactions seen as an effective source of capital raising, and in the midst of the COVID crisis, is this upward curve set to continue?

In this podcast, Michael Evans and Nick Compton of JLL, and Jane Edwarde discuss how sale and leaseback transactions have been used this year to raise capital, the sector opportunities and trends seen over the past 10 months, and what we can expect to see in the future.

The future of the London office market: In conversation with Derwent London and Knight Frank

COVID-19 has forced London workers to abandon their office desks and adjust at home. After nearly six months of doing so, a gradual return to work is on the horizon for many. However, employees may find a different work space from the one they left. How has the pandemic changed employers’ thinking about their working environments? What do occupiers now want from their HQs and from their landlords?

In this podcast, Paul Williams of Derwent London, Phil Hobley of Knight Frank, and Jane Edwarde discuss whether, in a post-pandemic London, the office market landscape will change forever and, if so, in what ways.

The future of the retail sector - In discussion with Ocado

There is no doubt that retailers have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 – both physically and financially. With retailers having to change their set-up by introducing plexi-glass screens at the tills, social distancing markings on floors, and the enforced wearing of masks – the physical shopping experience and the way consumers behave has dramatically changed. 

David Kozack of Ocado, John Nevin and Graham Rounce consider the immediate and longer term impact of COVID-19 on the retail and logistics sectors.

Debt finance post-lockdown: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best

In this podcast, Matthew Tobin and Kathrine Meloni discuss key issues for companies contemplating debt financings, refinancings or restructurings in the coming months and some of the themes that are starting to emerge.

The new European Commission's agenda: impact for business and investment in Europe

Following the European elections in May of 2019, and amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19, the European Commission laid out its plan for the next five years. These plans will affect businesses across a diverse range of areas; including FDI, data, competition, environment and tax. In this podcast, a number of our experts explain the potential effects and impacts of the plans moving forward.

Preparing Pension Schemes for Brexit

In his latest podcast Richard Goldstein focuses on Brexit - specifically the actions pension schemes should be taking now in preparation for 1 January 2021, when the transition period comes to an end.

Bribery and corruption and successor liability in distressed M&A: assessing risk in times of COVID-19

In this podcast, Tim Blanchard, Filippo de Falco, Sir David Green CB QC and Ella Williams assess bribery and corruption risk and successor liability in the context of distressed M&A in COVID-19 times. Our team discuss the potential for enforcement actions relevant to those transactions and how purchasers might spot red flags and manage or mitigate those risks.