Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our Catalyst series of webinars. As markets move from response to recovery, our focus is shifting too. We understand that navigating the pace of change, and defining your new normal can be overwhelming, so we are continuing to develop insights to help you recover, rebuild and reform. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated Catalyst // Webinar Series page. 

This episode looks at how the private equity industry in Europe has dealt with the crisis in the first 100 days or so and the role it will have to play as economies throughout the region emerge from hibernation. 

We look back on the impact on live fundraising as well as liquidity pressures and responses before looking forward and discussing the role for private capital in the recovery. Areas of discussion include:

• Fund raising, liquidity and secondaries;
• A portfolio manager's perspective;
• The role of private capital in the recovery.

This episode is chaired by Jonathan Blake, who heads our international private funds strategy at Herbert Smith Freehills, who is joined by leading practitioners from across the firm's Corporate practice.

In the second episode of our horizon-scanning series of public law podcasts, Nusrat Zar and Shameem Ahmad are joined by James McBride from Hanbury Strategy, a strategic advisory firm that provides political insight and analysis. Together they will to look to the horizon and share their thoughts and analysis on the political and legal landscape after Brexit.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to receive updates on future podcasts.

We will continue to develop insights to keep you abreast of legal issues arising from Covid-19 that are affecting your business now and those you may face next. You can find further resources on our Catalyst Hub.

hsf.com/catalyst

We welcome feedback so please do contact us if you’d like to discuss any of the topics in this podcast series or to suggest topics for future episodes.

Speakers: Nusrat Zar (Partner), Shameem Ahmad (Associate), James McBride (Hanbury Strategy)

In the third episode of our horizon-scanning series of public law podcasts, Nusrat Zar and Shameem Ahmad are joined by James McBride from Hanbury Strategy, a strategic advisory firm that provides political insight and analysis. Together they will to look to the horizon and share their thoughts and analysis on the post-general election agenda.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to receive updates on future podcasts.

We will continue to develop insights to keep you abreast of legal issues arising from Covid-19 that are affecting your business now and those you may face next. You can find further resources on our Catalyst Hub.

hsf.com/catalyst

We welcome feedback so please do contact us if you’d like to discuss any of the topics in this podcast series or to suggest topics for future episodes.

Speakers: Nusrat Zar (Partner), Shameem Ahmad (Associate), James McBride (Hanbury Strategy)

In the first episode of our horizon-scanning series of public law podcasts, Nusrat Zar and Shameem Ahmad are joined by James McBride from Hanbury Strategy, a strategic advisory firm that provides political insight and analysis. Together they will to look to the horizon and share their thoughts and analysis on the political and legal landscape after Covid-19.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to receive updates on future podcasts.

We will continue to develop insights to keep you abreast of legal issues arising from Covid-19 that are affecting your business now and those you may face next. You can find further resources on our Catalyst Hub.

We welcome feedback so please do contact us if you’d like to discuss any of the topics in this podcast series or to suggest topics for future episodes.

Speakers: Nusrat Zar (Partner), Shameem Ahmad (Associate), James McBride (Hanbury Strategy)

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our Catalyst series of webinars. As markets move from response to recovery, our focus is shifting too. We understand that navigating the pace of change, and defining your new normal can be overwhelming, so we are continuing to develop insights to help you recover, rebuild and reform. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated Catalyst // Webinar Series page.

The pandemic has naturally focused attention on health and safety, and human rights. In doing so, the ESG dialogue has in turn drawn "S" factors out from the shadow of the “E” and the “G”. It has also revealed the potential for business to reduce the scale of its environmental impact, and made us all more aware of the risks posed by “black swan” events and existential threats, such as climate change. 

In this episode, we share some perspectives on how businesses and investors can develop a robust approach to the ESG risks and opportunities presented by the pandemic in the short-term and in the months ahead, as we head into the recovery phase.

The episode draws on the wide-ranging experiences of our speakers. Herbert Smith Freehills corporate lawyer, Rebecca Perlman, is joined by experts, including:

• Philip Collins, Columnist at The Times and former chief speech writer to Tony Blair; and
• Will Martindale, Director of Policy & Research at the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

In advance of the episode, we would recommend reading this piece co-authored by Mr Collins with his colleagues at The Draft. The piece suggests that three key principles will emerge from the pandemic and underpin the recovery - cleaner growth, fairer growth, and caring growth. The piece also touches on some of the ways in which businesses can approach the question of corporate purpose.

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our Catalyst series of webinars. As markets move from response to recovery, our focus is shifting too. We understand that navigating the pace of change, and defining your new normal can be overwhelming, so we are continuing to develop insights to help you recover, rebuild and reform. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated Catalyst // Webinar Series page.

The pandemic has caused huge disruption to economic activity around the world, and many businesses continue to face challenges to their operations on a day-to-day basis. For these businesses the possibility of litigation may seem a distant threat. However, the pandemic has created fertile ground for claims to be brought against companies of all shapes and sizes, and in some areas claims are already starting to materialise. In this episode we consider some of the areas in which we might see claims including:

• Employee claims;
• Securities class actions;
• Data protection and privacy class actions; and
• Public sector claims and potential public inquiries involving commercial organisations.

We look briefly at issues companies might face in looking to their insurance to mitigate disputes risk, and will also consider the growing number of competition class actions (both Covid-related and beyond) and what this might mean for businesses.  

This episode is chaired by Alan Watts, who heads our UK class actions practice at Herbert Smith Freehills, who is joined by leading practitioners from across the firm's Disputes practice.

In this episode of our public law podcast, Andrew Lidbetter, Nusrat Zar and Anna Eliasson discuss the scope for regulators to go back on concessions they have suggested to those they regulate. In doing so, they look at the nature of these statements; how they might amount to obligations; when they can be frustrated; and three key things businesses can do to preserve their positions.

We will continue to develop insights to keep you abreast of legal issues arising from COVID-19 that are affecting your business now and those you may face next. You can find further resources on our Catalyst Hub. 

We welcome feedback so please do contact us if you’d like to discuss any of the topics in this podcast or to suggest topics for future episodes.

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our Catalyst series of webinars. As markets move from response to recovery, our focus is shifting too. We understand that navigating the pace of change, and defining your new normal can be overwhelming, so we are continuing to develop insights to help you recover, rebuild and reform. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated Catalyst // Webinar Series page.

In this episode we partner with global communications firm Edelman to explore the legal and reputational risks arising from Covid-19 and share practical tips for managing these risks.

Covid-19 creates legal and reputation risk across almost all aspects of all businesses, across almost all sectors. Businesses are grappling with unique challenges - all with no historical precedent for guidance - ranging from protecting employees from a potentially lethal virus, to remote working and data-security, supply chain collapse, ever-changing regulatory guidance and, for many, a sharp drop in business value. With the breadth of individuals and businesses affected, the potential for damaging, public, group litigation is higher than ever.

This episode will help you to identify the key legal and reputation risks that you will need to take into account when formulating a forward looking strategy to deal with Covid-19. It will help you make the right decisions now to protect your business in future.

Speakers: Natasha Johnson, Herbert Smith Freehills, Alan Watts, Herbert Smith Freehills, Patricia Nacimiento, Herbert Smith Freehills, Antony Dunkels, Edelman, Iain Dey, Edelman

On 1 May 2020, Justin D'Agostino began his role as the new Hong Kong based Global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills. This was no ordinary start to a leadership role, with his first day in March as transitional chair of the firm's Executive team marked by the WHO's declaration of a global pandemic.

Interviewed by Singapore partner Fatim Jumabhoy, Justin will share how he adapted his thinking and direction to lead a global organisation – and a new leadership team – through one of the most extraordinary periods of recent history, and why keeping our people connected and caring for each other was critical to the firm's approach and success to date. 

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated Catalyst // Webinar Series (Global) page.

This episode reflects the shift of focus from dealing with near-term liquidity concerns, to ensuring longer term viability and recovery.  We consider some of the options available to companies in this recovery and repair phase, including in relation to: 

• Accessing existing and new credit facilities, including private placements;
• Accessing new equity capital;
• Accessing government schemes and the implications of regulatory action; 
• Supply chain and creditor behaviour;
• Preserving cash and improving working capital (eg via deferring pensions contributions); and
• The impact on supply chain and creditor behaviour. 

This episode has a UK focus, however, we will shortly be releasing a new guide on repairing the balance sheet which will also have regional insights from EMEA and beyond.

The episode is chaired by Kristen Roberts, Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, who is joined by experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who share their experience from past downturns and the current crisis.