The Freshfields Podcast

No Worse Off #23: Restructuring in the Netherlands 24.06.2026 32min

In our latest episode of "No Worse Off," host Lindsay Hingston is joined by Amsterdam partner Michael Broeders and senior associate Huub Boekhorst for a deep dive into the Dutch restructuring market. The Netherlands is one of Europe's most versatile restructuring jurisdictions - and this episode explains why. How does the WHOA compare to Chapter 11 and the UK scheme? How powerful is Dutch share pledge enforcement? Is the Dutch regime more receptive to LME transactions than elsewhere? They provide answers to all this and more, by reference to the leading cases including McDermott and Selecta. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off.

Well-Caffeinated: What the Retail Moment Means for Private Capital 03.06.2026 41min

In this episode of Well-Caffeinated, host Tim Clark is joined by four Freshfields colleagues to examine one of the most significant trends impacting Private Capital today: the increasing focus on “retail” sources of capital for Private Capital investment strategies. Melissa Hodgman, David Nicolardi, Andrew Gladstein and Jeremy Barr unpack what it means for a Private Capital managers to add a retail component to its investor pool.

Essential Antitrust #51: Inside the new EU Merger Guidelines with Daniele Calisti: policy, economics and practice 28.05.2026 41min

Twelve months ago, Daniele Calisti, Head of Unit for Merger Policy and Case Support at the European Commission, joined us to discuss the launch of the Commission's public consultation on the revision of the EU Merger Guidelines. Now, with a draft text on the table, host Jenn Mellott welcomes him back — alongside economist David Foster of Frontier Economics and Brussels partner Thomas Janssens — to get the insider’s perspective on the most significant rewrite of EU merger control in over twenty years. The conversation goes beyond the published text to explore the Commission's own thinking on the revamped efficiencies and "theory of benefit" framework, the new dynamic theories of harm, the differentiated evidential standard, resilience as a parameter of competition, and the Innovation Shield for acquisitions of small innovative companies. Whether you're a friend of the podcast or a new listener, you'll find everything you need in this episode to navigate the reform with confidence. With the consultation closing on 26 June and the Commission already applying the new principles informally, this episode delivers the insight your deal team needs — directly from the source.

Essential Antitrust - The Italian Voice #1: Il posto fisso (obbligato) 26.05.2026 20min

In questo episodio, analizziamo come il mercato del lavoro sia diventato un nuovo campo d’azione anche per l’enforcement antitrust in Europa e in Italia. Dalle recenti linee guida della Commissione Europea che contemplano anche gli accordi c.d. no-poach e wage-fixing, fino alle prime sanzioni in diversi Paesi del mondo, esploriamo come le pratiche che limitano la mobilità dei lavoratori stiano entrando nel mirino delle autorità della concorrenza.

Global Shareholder Activism Insights #1: The Rise of the First-Time Activist 11.05.2026 24min

Activists are not monolithic and it is critical that companies today understand how activist types and styles impact engagement and campaigns. In this inaugural episode, Julian Pritchard and Leza Bieber are joined by Lauren Odell, Partner at Gladstone Place Partners to examine the nuances of engaging with first-time activists. Moving beyond established funds, our experts analyze new entrants and the unique incentives driving their pursuit of market recognition. We explore why boards should treat every campaign with equal rigor and offer a specialized advisory lens on engaging with unconventional strategies designed to capture shareholder attention and bypass traditional communication channels.

Essential Antitrust #50: New safe harbours, sharper teeth - the EU's new merger playbook 01.05.2026 25min

The European Commission's draft merger guidelines land at a moment of real geopolitical flux — and its changes cut both ways. Scale, resilience, innovation and supply chain security are now embedded in the competitive assessment as key factors, and a new "theory of benefit" framework enables parties to argue efficiencies in novel and more comprehensive ways. At the same time, the Commission has equipped itself with a significantly expanded enforcement toolkit — from entrenchment and dynamic foreclosure to labour market effects and minority shareholdings. In this episode of the Essential Antitrust podcast, Freshfields partners Jenn Mellott, Andreas von Bonin and Paul van den Berg discuss what has actually changed in practice: how the new innovation shield works for start-up acquisitions, where the new theories of harm create risk that deal teams need to plan for from day one, and what the expanded efficiencies framework means for how you build and present your deal to the Commission.

No Worse Off #22: Welcome to Hot Topics: charting global restructuring, one jurisdiction at a time 27.04.2026 24min

In our latest episode of "No Worse Off," we launch an exciting new series: Hot Topics. Host Lindsay Hingston is joined by Ken Baird, Freshfields' global head of restructuring, and senior associate Jamie Murray-Jones to introduce this fresh approach to exploring the world of restructuring. This inaugural episode sets the scene for the series, which will take listeners across our international network, zooming into a different jurisdiction in each episode. They discuss the intersection of international trends and techniques with local dynamics, and how this shapes the approach to cross-border restructurings. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off."

Introducing the AI Drop 21.04.2026

Join host Anna Gressel to unlock the future of artificial intelligence with The AI Drop, a podcast dedicated to delivering cutting-edge insights on how AI is transforming industries worldwide. Each episode features expert interviews and actionable strategies to help you harness AI, drive business value, and navigate evolving legal challenges. Fresh drops every week so you never miss a beat. 🎧 Episode 1 available now on all major podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Web

Well-Caffeinated: Private Capital at the AI Inflection Point: What to Look for in 2026 and Beyond 12.03.2026 38min

In this episode, Sanjay Murti discusses all things AI with partners Anna Gressel, Eva Mak and Tim Clark, covering topics such as the commercialization of AI agents, AI governance, AI on the investment committee and AI as an accelerant for retailization. The panel also shares its reactions to Matt Shumer’s viral post, ’Something Big Is Happening,’ which explored the implications of AI development. The panelists conclude with the one thing each of them is particularly focused on when it comes to AI on the road ahead.

No Worse Off #21: Asset-Backed Finance under stress 06.03.2026 19min

In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” host Emma Gateaud is joined by Mus van Hien, Head of Private Markets Capital Solutions at M&G Investments, and Freshfields partner Andy Heathcote, from our structured finance practice. Together, they explore Asset-Backed Finance and how it is used , as well as how distress and enforcement can play out in such structures. They examine the recent fraud cases of First Brands and Tricolor and also bring their experience of investor protections and talk through enforcement issues in such structures. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off".

ESG trends to watch in 2026: Part 2: How AI, climate transition planning, supply chains and environmental rules are evolving 02.03.2026 19min

Part 2 explores AI’s expanding ESG implications, uncertainty in climate transition planning, evolving supply‑chain obligations and the ongoing complexity of environmental and product‑specific rules, despite efforts to simplify regulatory frameworks. Recorded as at 29 January.

ESG trends to watch in 2026: Part 1: ESG litigation risk in a fragmented regulatory world 02.03.2026 16min

Part 1 explores how geopolitical divergence and shifting regulatory approaches are reshaping ESG risk in 2026. It highlights a more complex litigation landscape, growing use of novel arguments including attribution science and increasing claims linked to climate impacts, supply chains, human rights and allegations of greenwashing. Recorded as at 30 January.

Essential Antitrust #49: Clarity in Antitrust: inside the 10 key themes shaping 2026 21.01.2026 29min

Antitrust is increasingly impacted by geopolitical priorities, with regulators using competition policy to advance national security, industrial resilience, and economic goals. Companies operating across major jurisdictions face diverging enforcement philosophies, requiring careful alignment of deal narratives with local policy objectives. At the same time, merger control is undergoing significant procedural and substantive changes: authorities expect deeper upfront analysis, broader disclosure, and robust evidence supporting innovation, consumer benefits, and supply chain stability.

Essential Antitrust #48: Antitrust meets AI: How regulators approach AI-driven pricing and predictive analytics 07.01.2026 21min

AI-driven pricing and analytics tools are transforming markets, but they’re also drawing intense scrutiny from antitrust authorities worldwide. In our latest Essential Antitrust episode, Freshfields experts Maria Dreher-Lorje, Nicholas Frey, Heather Lamberg and Jenn Mellott explore how regulators in the US, UK, and EU are responding to algorithmic pricing and what this means for global businesses. From US litigation concerning algorithmic price fixing to the EU’s case focus and the CMA’s new investigatory powers, the legal landscape is evolving fast. Authorities are not only investigating AI-driven conduct but also deploying AI tools themselves to detect collusion. Uncertainty around enforcement standards—per se vs. rule of reason—makes proactive compliance essential. Listen now to understand the risks, the questions regulators are asking, and practical steps to protect your business.

Well-Caffeinated: What’s Past is Prologue — Assessing the Changed Legal Landscape from Year 1 of the Second Trump Administration and Looking Ahead at What Year 2 May Bring 17.12.2025 28min

As 2025 draws to a close, and sitting on the precipice of a new year, it seems like a good time for us to assess where the second Trump Administration has taken us so far and where we may be headed. Listen to Tim Clark’s interview of Jennifer Loeb, Austin Evers and David Nicolardi regarding what we got right about Trump 2.0; what surprised us; and what to expect from the administration in the coming year.

No Worse Off #20: 2025 in Review 17.12.2025 21min

To close the year, in this episode of “No Worse Off” hosts Emma Gateaud, Lindsay Hingston and Alex Thomson look back at the key developments in the restructuring market in 2025. In a monthly run-down they spotlight new trends in liability management and out-of-court solutions, and pivotal court decisions that have reshaped the UK restructuring plan. The team also highlights headline bankruptcy cases, the Supreme Court’s motor finance ruling and a landmark decision in Wirecard.Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off."

No Worse Off #19: Restructuring “à la francaise” 10.12.2025 24min

In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” we take a deep dive into one of Europe's most dynamic and distinctive restructuring markets: France. Host Emma Gateaud is joined by Marc Sénéchal a highly respected French court-appointed conciliateur and mandataire ad hoc and Freshfields Paris restructuring partner Guilhem Bremond and counsel Antoine Rueda. Listen in as our panel discusses recent ‘jumbo’ cases and France’s unique two-phase restructuring process, which combines conciliation and sauvegarde accélérée. The discussion highlights how the 2021 reform enhanced the efficiency and predictability of the system, as well as the pivotal role of the court-appointed officer in building stakeholder consensus, ultimately ensuring greater fairness and reducing the risk of challenges.Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off."

Tax Matters: Autumn Budget 2025 – a stealthy smorgasbord? 27.11.2025 21min

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has delivered the Autumn Budget 2025. In her much-anticipated second Budget, the Chancellor announced a broad spectrum of tax measures which she said were designed both to secure public finances and make the UK tax system fairer. After much press speculation, rumours and reported U-turns, there is now some welcome clarity on how the government intends to balance the books, with the largest revenue raising measure being a stealth tax increase through the freezing of income tax thresholds. Outside of the headline grabbing measures, the government has published details on new and ongoing business tax reform measures, a number of which will be included in the upcoming Finance Bill. In our latest podcast, Josh Critchlow speaks to May Smith, Emily Szasz and Sam Withnall from our London tax team about the smorgasbord of business tax measures they found most noteworthy in the Autumn Budget 2025, including: headline tax revenue raising measures including extending the freeze on income tax/NICs thresholds and raising income tax rates on dividend, savings and property income; the introduction of a new ‘UK listing relief’ from SDRT, providing a 3 year exemption from the 0.5% SDRT charge on agreements to transfer securities of newly listed companies on a UK regulated market; confirmation that an ‘Advance Tax Certainty Service’ for major investment projects in the UK will be launched in July 2026; changes to the capital allowances regime, including a new 40% first-year allowance and reduction of writing down allowances for main rate expenditure; broadening an anti-avoidance rule applicable to capital gains rollover relief on share exchanges and reorganisations; an update on proposals to reform behavioural tax penalties; revisions to the UK VAT grouping rules applicable to overseas establishments; confirmation that a permanent revenue-based oil and gas price mechanism will take effect on expiry of the existing Energy Profits Levy; additional measures to tackle tax avoidance; and measures not included in the Budget announcements, including the rumoured ‘partnership NICs’ and exit tax.

No Worse Off #18: Innovative Capital Solutions Tools in the Italian Market 03.11.2025 18min

In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” our cross-jurisdictional restructuring and capital solutions team, Nick Fortune, Francesco Lombardo and Valentina Armaroli dive into the innovative capital solutions and restructuring tools reshaping the Italian market.Italy is quickly emerging as a key market, offering a wealth of opportunities for global credit and other investors. Listen in as our team discusses Italy’s efforts to align with international best practices and deploy tools that offer fresh, dynamic ways to deploy money in Italy.Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off".

Human-Centered Innovation – A conversation with Stephanie Toney, CBO at Diatiro Health 13.10.2025 24min

In this episode of the MedTech Podcast, partner Vinita Kailasanath speaks with Stephanie Toney, Chief Business Officer at Diatiro Health, about the company’s mission to transform kidney transplantation. They explore the importance of equity and patient access in MedTech. Stephanie also shares her perspective on emerging trends such as AI, digital health, and precision medicine—and their potential to improve outcomes and expand access for underserved populations.