Law x Business
Law x Business is the podcast channel from Addleshaw Goddard, a London-headquartered international law firm. It features expert insights, trends, and conversations on topics shaping the legal and business landscape, with a focus on Financial Services and Technology, corporate finance, M&A, and capital markets. Designed for business leaders, investors, founders, and senior counsel, the podcast delivers clear insight, practical analysis, and commercial perspective.
Episodes
Everything Financial Services | What the private capital boom is really telling decision makers
Episode 1 of Everything Financial Services, Addleshaw Goddard’s financial services podcast, explores the rapid growth and evolution of private capital and why it has become central to global markets. Host Laura Uberoi is joined by guests Jan Gruter and Karl Clowry to discuss how private capital has shifted from an “alternative” asset class to a core driver of investment across infrastructure, heal
Everything Financial Services | The podcast for boardroom conversations in financial services. Series 1 launching this week...
Financial services is facing a convergence of pressures, where market dynamics, regulation, technology and capital flows are reshaping decision-making at the highest level.Everything Financial Services is a podcast for leaders who need to understand what’s really driving the sector, and what it means in practice. Each episode explores the forces shaping financial services today, from private capit
Inside Tech Minds | Is AI outpacing your governance? With leading AI expert Kay Firth-Butterfield
In this episode of Inside Tech Minds, Carly Gulliver speaks with Kay Firth-Butterfield, CEO of Good Tech Advisory and a leading voice in AI governance, about whether organisations are keeping pace with the rapid evolution of AI. Drawing on her experience at the World Economic Forum and advising global leaders, Kay explores why trust in AI is already under pressure and how gaps in governance, not t
Mergerspresso | Succession: The Board Game
Episode 30 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores how board composition and turnover are emerging as a key source of corporate volatility. Host Lucy Robson is joined by guest David Palmer to discuss the growing trend of earlier and more frequent director departures, particularly among CEOs and CFOs, and what this means for governance and corporate strategy.The di
Mergerspresso | The return of returns: Share buybacks
Episode 29 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the growing proliferation of share buyback programmes across the public markets and why returning capital to shareholders has become a major strategic priority for listed companies.Host Simon Wood is joined by guest Jeremy Cruse to discuss how buybacks have evolved from routine corporate housekeeping into a key fe
Inside Tech Minds | AI-powered deals – what really makes tech transactions succeed?
Technology transactions are being reshaped by AI, but the real challenge for leaders is understanding what creates value and what can quietly derail a deal.In this episode of Inside Tech Minds, Carly Gulliver speaks with James Dawson, Corporate Finance Partner, and Damon Rosamond-Lanzetta, Head of Tech Sector at Addleshaw Goddard, about what makes technology transactions succeed in an AI-driven ma
Mergerspresso | Is space the final business frontier?
Episode 28 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the rapid rise of the space economy and asks whether the final frontier has become the next market. With growing momentum around a potential record-breaking SpaceX IPO and renewed global focus following Artemis II, space is firmly moving into the commercial spotlight.Host Lucy Robson is joined by guests Alex Hogar
Inside Tech Minds | Cybersecurity lessons for today's C-suite – from Cambridge Analytica to cyber criminals
Cyber incidents can now escalate from a technical issue to a board‑level crisis in hours.In the opening episode of Inside Tech Minds, Carly Gulliver speaks with James Moss, Director of Cyber Investigations at Addleshaw Goddard, about what senior leaders need to understand about cyber risk in 2026. Drawing on real‑world experience investigating high‑profile incidents including James’s role at the I
Inside Tech Minds | Series 1 coming this week...The must listen tech podcast for leaders
Technology decisions now sit at the heart of strategy, shaping risk, growth and reputation at the very top of the organisation.Inside Tech Minds is a podcast for leaders who need to understand what’s really happening across today’s technology agenda, and what it means in practice. Each episode explores the issues shaping the tech landscape - from cyber security, AI and data protection to digital t
Mergerspresso | Is FOMO the best M&A catalyst?
Episode 27 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores whether fear of missing out is one of the most powerful drivers of M&A activity.Host Lucy Robson is joined by Angus Rollo to discuss how rumours of mega deals and sector consolidation can quickly trigger competitive responses across a market. From insurance to natural resources, they consider how talk of merge
Mergerspresso | Stock drop claims
Episode 26 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, looks at the rise of modern shareholder activism and the growing risk of stock drop claims against listed companies.Host Simon Wood is joined by AG litigators Sivan Daniels and Emily Tilden-Smith to discuss how the accuracy of ESG credentials and public disclosures can make or break a PLC’s reputation. They explore why sha
Mergerspresso | 2026 M&A outlook: Scale and transformation
Episode 25 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the key M&A themes shaping financial services and technology deals in 2026.Host Simon Wood is joined by AG sector leaders Hardeep Plahe and Elvan Hussein to discuss how businesses are balancing scale and transformative growth. They examine consolidation in banks, insurers and wealth managers, the strategic rol
Mergerspresso | 2026 M&A outlook: Reshaping businesses
Episode 24 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, kicks off 2026 by exploring how companies are reshaping their businesses in response to changing markets and shareholder pressure. Host Lucy Robson is joined by guests Chris Taylor and Marton Eorsi to discuss the themes emerging from AG’s 2026 M&A Outlook.The episode examines why divestments and portfolio refocusing ar
Mergerspresso | Christmas special
Episode 23 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, rounds off 2025 with a festive review of the year in markets, M&A and capital markets. Hosts Simon Wood and Lucy Robson reflect on the highs, lows and green shoots of the past year, drawing on crowdsourced insights from Mergerspresso listeners.Simon and Lucy look back at the IPO market through a seasonal lens, discussi
Mergerspresso | Houston, we have a JV...
Episode 22 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores whether strategic European joint ventures are entering a new phase as a catalyst for innovation and growth. Host Lucy Robson is joined by guest Rémy Blain to discuss how pan-European collaboration could become rocket fuel for breakthroughs in sectors such as space, defence and pharmaceuticals.Lucy and Rémy examine
Mergerspresso | Budget special
Episode 21 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, delivers an emergency Budget special unpacking the key announcements and what they really mean for markets, businesses and investors. Host Simon Wood is joined by guest Paul Concannon, Addleshaw Goddard’s Head of Tax, to review the Budget in the time it takes to make your coffee.Simon and Paul discuss why the Budget felt c
Mergerspresso | Trick or treat? Will the activists be out this Hallowe'en?
Episode 20 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines whether shareholder activism is set to haunt listed companies as the year draws to a close. Host Lucy Robson is joined by guest Jack Edwards to assess the state of activist campaigns in 2025 and what boards should really be watching out for.Lucy and Jack discuss why the anticipated wave of high-profile activist in
Mergerspresso | Leeds, Leeds, Leeds – Marching on together in financial services
Episode 19 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the Leeds Reforms and their potential to reshape the UK financial services sector. Host Simon Wood is joined by guest Rosanna Bryant to outline the most significant regulatory changes in two decades and explain why they matter for business and investors.Simon and Rosanna discuss the five core areas of reform: ince
Mergerspresso | Tell Sid..
Episode 18 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores lessons from Barclays’ iconic 1980s “Tell Sid” campaign and how a reimagined approach could drive retail investment in today’s equity markets.Host Simon Wood is joined by guest Rhiannon Price, Director of Group Policy Development at Barclays, to discuss the historical campaign, the insights from recent research in
Mergerspresso | “Yes, we can!” A manifesto for the UK’s capital markets
Episode 17 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, sets out a clear and optimistic manifesto for reinvigorating the UK’s capital markets.Hosts Simon Wood and Lucy Robson argue that London’s equity markets need confidence, clarity and a compelling narrative. They outline a three-point manifesto focused on positioning London in the global listings landscape, attracting inter
Mergerspresso | Dual tracks: Getting into gear?
Episode 16 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the re-emergence of dual track exit processes as IPO markets show signs of life and traditional M&A processes remain slow.In this episode, guest hosts Louise Pritchard and Nick Pearey discuss how running an IPO and M&A process in parallel can help sellers maximise value and retain optionality. They explain
Mergerspresso | Moving on up…
Episode 15 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, looks at the renewed debate around stepping up from AIM to the Main Market following the UK’s recent capital markets reforms.In this episode, guest hosts Gareth Jones and Giles Distin discuss how the FCA’s July 2024 Listing Rules reforms have narrowed the regulatory gap between AIM and the Main Market, making the move more
Mergerspresso in New York | Even my coffee needs coffee
Episode 14 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, comes to you from New York following the International Bar Association’s M&A conference.Host Simon Wood shares hot takes on the global M&A landscape after a caffeine-fuelled few days at the IBA conference, which brought together over 600 M&A lawyers from more than 70 countries. In just a few minutes, Simon take
Mergerspresso | What’s surprising us in 2025
Episode 13 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, looks at the biggest surprises shaping M&A and capital markets so far in 2025.Hosts Simon Wood and Lucy Robson reflect on why the widely predicted M&A boom has failed to materialise, despite strong deal appetite. They discuss falling average deal sizes, ongoing uncertainty driven by tariffs, interest rates and mark
Mergerspresso | A swing and a miss: UK pension reform
Episode 12 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines proposed UK pension reforms and their potential impact on liquidity in the capital markets.Host Simon Wood is joined by guest Jade Murray, Addleshaw Goddard’s pensions expert, to explore the government’s proposals, including consolidation of DC and local government pension schemes and encouragement of greater inve
Mergerspresso | Breakin' up is hard to do
Episode 11 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines the 2025 resurgence of breakup bids and the strategic considerations for corporates undertaking divestments.Host Lucy Robson is joined by guest Louise Pritchard to explore why large-cap PLCs are selling off major divisions to unlock value, streamline operations, and maximise growth potential. They discuss the role
Mergerspresso | Index zinger – FTSE 250 and the growth agenda
Episode 10 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines why the FTSE 250, rather than the FTSE 100, may hold the key to delivering the UK Government’s Growth Agenda.Host Simon Wood explains how the FTSE 250’s earnings growth has outperformed peers in the US and Europe, driven largely by international expansion. He highlights the structural differences between domestica
Mergerspresso | Growing pains – what do anti-trust headlines mean for M&A?
Episode 9 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores what recent anti-trust and competition law headlines in the UK and US could mean for M&A activity in 2025.Host Lucy Robson is joined by competition law specialist Rona Bar-Isaac to discuss the shifting political and regulatory landscape, including changes in leadership at competition authorities and a growing e
Mergerspresso | PISCES – Making a splash...
Episode 8 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines the UK Government’s proposal to enable intermittent trading of private company and unlisted shares through PISCES, and what this could mean for companies, shareholders and the wider capital markets.Hosts Simon Wood and Lucy Robson explore how PISCES is intended to operate as a framework rather than a trading venue,
Mergerspresso | Ready, AIM, Fire?
Episode 7 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, looks at the outlook for AIM, London’s Alternative Investment Market, in the wake of the Budget and recent Listing Rules reforms.Hosts Giles Distin and Louise Pritchard discuss the challenges facing AIM, including declining company numbers, a sustained imbalance between delisting's and IPOs, and growing uncertainty among is
Mergerspresso | Listing rules: shareholder meh-tings?
Episode 6 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines the recent changes to the UK Listing Rules and what they mean in practice for listed companies and investor relations.Host Simon Wood explores the shift to a more disclosure-based, US-style regime, under which shareholder approval is no longer required for major transactions. He considers why institutional investor
Mergerspresso | And the winner is… London?
Episode 5 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, considers whether the UK is beginning to benefit from a “stability dividend” following a summer of political change and global uncertainty.Host Lucy Robson reflects on how shifts in the political landscape in the UK, Europe and the US are influencing market sentiment, investor confidence and the UK’s relative attractiveness
Mergerspresso | Close shareholder votes on UK takeovers
Episode 4 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, examines the recent trend of close shareholder votes on UK takeovers and the factors driving this shift.Host Giles Distin explains how shareholder engagement is evolving, with retail and institutional investors increasingly asserting their influence over schemes and board recommendations. He highlights recent cases where ta
Mergerspresso | European M&A in 3D
Episode 3 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the drivers behind the recent European rebound in strategic M&A.Host Simon Wood highlights the three ‘D’s shaping the market: Deglobalisation, Decarbonisation, and Digitalisation. He explains how post-COVID supply chain reshoring, the energy transition, and rapid digital adoption are influencing deal strategy,
Mergerspresso | A REIT problem...
Episode 2 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the recent surge in REIT M&A and the factors driving this trend, as well as the challenges in completing successful deals.Host Simon Wood examines the post-COVID economic climate, highlighting how inflationary pressures, interest rate hikes, and low market liquidity have created difficulties for REITs, particul
Mergerspresso | It's all about the strategy...
Episode 1 of Mergerspresso, Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate finance podcast, explores the return of strategic mega deals in 2024 and what’s driving the resurgence in large-scale M&A activity.With economic conditions stabilising, boards are once again pursuing bold consolidation strategies, particularly among trade buyers across sectors including mining, manufacturing and financial services. Host
