Horizon Scanning by Slaughter and May

Managing cross-border tax investigations: a UK and Australian perspective 28.05.2026 26min

Tax authorities are increasingly coordinating across borders, exposing multinational groups to more complex enquiries and joint audits. Head of Tax Knowledge, Zoe Andrews, is joined by Senior Counsel, Jamshed Bilimoria and Louise Giorgini, Senior Associate at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, to discuss how to navigate these challenges. They explore responding to information requests, managing joint audits, and resolving disputes - including the use of the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) - alongside current focus areas for HMRC and the ATO.

ICO enforcement trends 08.05.2026 13min

With the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) clear that it expects all organisations to learn from its previous enforcement actions, what lessons should organisations take from ICO GDPR enforcement over the last 18 months? In this episode Rebecca Cousin, Head of Data Privacy, Richard Jeens, Co-Head of Cyber, and Cindy Knott, Head of Data Privacy Knowledge, discuss recent ICO enforcement trends, areas of ICO focus and related lessons for companies, and share their views on what this all means for future enforcement. If you are interested in finding more Slaughter and May tech and digital content, you can subscribe to our digital blog, The Lens and our Digital Horizon Scanning series . Additionally, subscribe to our Horizon Scanning podcast show to be kept up to date when new episodes or series become available.

Horizon Scanning 2026 Launch Series - Crisis Management 15.01.2026 15min

Explore changes in enforcement trends and insights on how businesses can get ready for a more assertive 2026 in this episode of our 2026 launch series. Join Simon Nicholls and Gayathri Kamalanathan as they explore the theme of Crisis Management and cover: The FCA’s enforcement strategy and what it means Key areas of FCA focus Updates to the FCA’s Enforcement Guide The SFO’s new tools and assertive approach Practical steps prepare for a more assertive regulatory environment Explore our Crisis Management written insights here.

Horizon Scanning 2026 Launch Series - Digital 15.01.2026 11min

Unpack what 2026 holds for organisations navigating the digital space in this episode of our Horizon Scanning 2026 launch series with Simon Nicholls and Laura Houston. They cover: The shifting landscape of digital regulation in the UK and EU How AI regulation is evolving across the EU, UK and US The significance of the EU’s Digital Omnibus and recent UK data reforms Practical actions to stay ahead of regulatory changes and uncertainty The opportunities and challenges presented by regulatory divergence Explore our Digital written insights here.

Horizon Scanning 2026 Launch Series - Governance & Sustainability 15.01.2026 10min

Dive into the fast-evolving world of ESG regulation in this Governance and Sustainability launch episode of our Horizon Scanning 2026 series with Simon Nicholls and Richard Hilton. They cover: The key drivers behind the US’ backlash against ESG The impact of diverging US and EU/UK approaches The most significant upcoming legislative changes to look out for Practical steps for companies to ensure compliance and minimise risk Explore our Governance & Sustainability written insights here.

Horizon Scanning 2026 Launch Series - Energy Transition 15.01.2026 13min

Discover the shifting landscape of the global energy transition in 2026 with Simon Nicholls and Oly Moir. This Horizon Scanning 2026 launch series episode on Energy Transition covers: The shifting geopolitical landscape and its impact Key headwinds facing renewables The critical role of government intervention and innovative investment structures The “nuclear renaissance” and its growing importance How AI and digital infrastructure are reshaping power sector priorities Explore our Energy Transition written insights here.

Horizon Scanning 2026 Launch Series - Capital Flows 15.01.2026 14min

Explore the forces shaping global investment and private equity in this episode with Simon Nicholls and Aleezeh Liaqat, as they kick off the Horizon Scanning series for 2026. They cover: Strategic responses to geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility Key trends in private equity dealmaking Insights into sector resilience The evolving landscape of exits Predictions for 2026 Explore our Capital Flows written insights here.

Employment Rights Act 2025 18.12.2025 24min

Clare Fletcher and Philippa O'Malley sit down to discuss the government's roadmap for implementing the Employment Rights Act, giving you a steer on what your immediate priorities should be and what to look out for on the horizon.

Key Developments in UK and EU Consumer Protection 16.12.2025 10min

In this episode of the Digital Horizon Scanning podcast, experts from Slaughter and May’s Competition team explore major developments in consumer protection across the UK and Europe. The discussion highlights: Recent UK consumer protection reforms and new enforcement actions by the CMA. Focus on issues like drip pricing, pressure selling, and fake reviews. Upcoming changes in EU consumer protection, including the proposed Digital Fairness Act.

COP30 Unpacked: Climate finance in focus 15.12.2025 15min

Welcome to episode three of our three-part COP30 podcast series where we unpack new opportunities in transition finance and adaptation. In this episode, David Hay and Julia Shearer-Rivera discuss COP30’s focus on climate finance, exploring adaptation, carbon markets, and Brazil’s Tropical Forest Finance Fund and what these mean for businesses. Join us as we explore how these developments could drive regulatory change, open new finance opportunities, and shape business strategies in a shifting climate landscape.

Accelerating action: Insights from the UN Business and Human Rights Forum 2025 12.12.2025 29min

The 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights brought together businesses, human rights professionals and rightsholders from across the world to discuss how businesses can step up amidst global challenges. Moira Thompson Oliver and Rosie Duthie discuss key takeaways from the forum: the growing role of AI in human rights, rising expectations of investors, and why integrating environment and human rights strategies is key to resilience.

COP30 Unpacked: From pledges to pipelines - What COP30 means for energy and infrastructure 08.12.2025 19min

Welcome to the second episode in our three-part COP30 podcast series, where we move beyond headlines to ask what this “COP of implementation” really means on the ground. In this episode, Samay Shah, Daniel Mewton, and Aaron Wu explore how COP30’s decisions are beginning to flow from negotiation rooms into project pipelines. They unpack why COP30 is being called the “COP of implementation”, and what that means for energy and infrastructure projects, while also delving into the global mutirão decision, the push to triple adaptation finance, and the growing role of trade measures, sustainable fuels, and just transition principles. Join us as we discuss how these developments might reshape investment strategies, project pipelines, and risk management across sectors: from oil and gas and renewables to data centres, grids, and critical minerals.

Digital transformation – what happens when projects go wrong? 04.12.2025 20min

In this Digital Horizon Scanning podcast, Kristina Locmele, Ella Williams, and Richard McDonnell discuss what happens when digital transformation projects go wrong. The conversation covers the causes and impact of tech failures, regulatory responses and practical advice for crisis management and building resilience into technology contracts. If you are interested in finding more Slaughter and May tech and digital content, you can subscribe to our digital blog, The Lens and our Digital Horizon Scanning series . Additionally, subscribe to our Horizon Scanning podcast show to be kept up to date when new episodes or series become available.

COP30 Unpacked: NDCs, greenwashing and nature’s role in climate action 02.12.2025 21min

Welcome to episode one of our three-part COP30 podcast series where we will be discussing the key topics from the climate change conference. In this opening instalment, Harry Hecht, Moira Thompson Oliver and Samantha Brady, unpack hot topics ranging from the rise of new reporting frameworks, just transition developments and biodiversity initiatives, and how these give rise to both risks and opportunities for business. Join us as we explore how these developments could shape transition planning, supply chain resilience, and corporate reporting.

2025 UK Autumn Budget Update 27.11.2025 11min

In this Horizon Scanning podcast recorded one day after the budget, Simon Nicholls and Mike Lane take stock of the "smorgasbord" of changes and look forward to what might play out over the months ahead.

Managing Cyber Supply Chain Risk 05.11.2025 19min

Supply chain cyber breaches are on the rise, with attackers increasingly targeting suppliers as a route into larger organisations. In this podcast episode, Richard Jeens, Laura Houston and Alex Buchanan discuss the growing threat of supply chain attacks, why they’re so challenging to manage, and what organisations can do to protect themselves.

The Interaction of Data Privacy and AI 23.10.2025 16min

As AI technologies become more embedded in business operations—from recruitment tools to facial recognition and generative AI—privacy teams are under increasing pressure to balance innovation with compliance. Rebecca Cousin and Cindy Knott discuss how organisations are navigating this tension, particularly in light of recent legislative and regulatory developments.

EU Council Presidency: Denmark in the Chair 21.07.2025 14min

In this podcast Jan Putnis, and Sabine Dittrich are joined by Tim Johan Christensen, Managing Counsel at Gorrissen Federspiel. Tim is currently seconded to Slaughter and May. Together they discuss our expectations for the Danish EU Council Presidency which started in July 2025 and will end in December 2025. In this episode they explore: Key areas of focus during Denmark’s Presidency Key developments for market risk and payment services Selected initiatives under the EU’s Savings and Investment Union

Increased focus on cyber governance 17.07.2025 15min

In this podcast from our Cyber Hub, Natalie Donovan speaks to Partners Richard Jeens and Christian Boney about the increased focus we are currently seeing around cyber governance. Discussions include how the recent high profile ransom attacks at retailers like M&S highlight the importance of good cyber governance, what cyber related changes to the UK’s Corporate Governance Code mean in practice for organisations, how investor expectations are changing and how good governance can reduce enforcement and litigation risk.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - what you need to know 16.07.2025 8min

The Data (Use and Access) Act (DUA Act) finally became law in June after a lengthy Parliamentary journey and various iterations. The DUA Act updates the UK’s legislative landscape to facilitate effective data usage, including by amending the UK’s data protection laws. It also provides the legislative foundations for the introduction of “smart data” data sharing schemes in sectors across the economy, which have the potential to boost UK GDP by over £30 billion year, according to Government estimates. In this podcast, Cindy Knott and Bryony Bacon discuss: the scope of the DUA Act and what its changes to the data protection regime mean for businesses in the UK; the changes made to the UK data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, including its uplifted fining powers in connection with marketing, cookie and other tracking technology infringements; and the practical steps organisations should be taking now.