The Macfarlanes podcast

In our latest episode of Hotels unpacked, we are joined by Carine Bonnejean, Managing Director, Hotels and International at Christie & Co, and delve into “60 years of hospitality in motion”, a report that looks 30 years back and 30 years forward in the hotel industry.   Carine and Victoria analyse the "Hospitality Trinity": guests, operators and brands, and investors, and how a shift...

In our second episode of Hotels unpacked, we were delighted to dive into the world of luxury hotels, with Director of Development at Rocco Forte Hotels, Charles Forte, and its General Counsel, Nick Clayson. Charles, Nick and Victoria unpack a unique view of the industry from of one of Europe’s most distinctive luxury hotel groups and multi-generational family businesses. They discuss: the owner/op...

In our first episode of Hotels unpacked, a new podcast for the hotel investment market, we sit down with leading hotelier and entrepreneur, Tony Matharu, of Integrity International.  Tony and Victoria unpack current topics, including: the challenges facing the hotel industry in London, a city that Tony passionately advocates for;  hotel development and the key issues in converting existing buildin...

In the latest episode of our podcast, Matthew Ramsey is joined by competition law experts Rachel Carter and Fiona Beattie to explore the emerging intersection between employment law and competition law – an area often overlooked by HR professionals. They cover: how competition law principles apply to employment relationships, beyond traditional restraint of trade clauses; recent enforcement action...

Following our part one episode on Labour’s approach to financial services, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined once again by Financial Services Regulation Partners Alexandra Green and Michael Sholem to reflect on the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech and the announcement of the Leeds Reforms. They cover: proposed changes to the Financial Ombudsman Service, including a 10-year time limit fo...

In the latest episode of our Policy in practice podcast, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined by Financial Services Regulation Partners, Alexandra Green and Michael Sholem to reflect on the Labour government’s approach to financial services, just over a year since taking office. They cover: the Treasury’s focus on growth and the FCA’s response to its revised remit; proposed reforms to redre...

 In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined by Pensions Partner Faye Jarvis and Investment Management Partner Lora Froud to discuss how private capital managers can access UK pension fund investors following the Mansion House Accord and the new Pension Schemes Bill.  They cover: the commitment made by 17 of the UK's largest pension fun...

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Brian Spiro, and Helen Harvey discuss the introduction of the new corporate offence for failing to prevent fraud.  They cover:  the purpose and legal background of the new offence; what kind of organisations are affected and how liability is determined;  the proactive measures businesses must implement to ensure compliance; and ...

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Malcolm Hitching, and James Popperwell discuss litigation funding in England and Wales, including the impact of legal rulings, the ongoing Civil Justice Council (CJC) review, and whether or not further regulation might be needed to preserve access to justice while protecting consumers. They cover: the impact of the PACCAR ruling...

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Rhiannon Kinghall Were, and Bezhan Salehy discuss President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the OECD global tax deal, the implications for Pillars 1 and 2, and the potential for future negotiations. They cover: the background and details of the OECD global tax deal; the US’ objections to Pillar 1 and Pillar 2; digi...

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson, and Praveen Gopalan discuss COP 29 (November 2024), recent developments in sustainable finance and ESG, and the future of COP, including COP 30’s potential focus on biodiversity. They cover: COP 29 – expectations vs. outcomes and targets; how businesses will be affected in the UK; the politicisation of ESG in...

In the latest episode of our podcast, Matthew Ramsey is joined by Isobel Lewis to talk about money: when wages are payable, when employers can withhold salary, and what happens when employees are suspended from work. They cover: the “wage-work bargain” and its significance in defining employment relationships; legal principles governing wage deductions under the Employment Rights Act; and complex...

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Eloise Illingworth, and Tom Weekes, KC at Landmark Chambers discuss fetters to housebuilding from private property law in the form of restrictive covenants as well as easements, such as rights of way and rights of light. They cover: what restrictive covenants and easements are; the impact that restrictive covenants and easement...

In the latest episode of our podcast, Matthew Ramsey delves into a major Supreme Court decision regarding Tesco's dismissal and re-engagement practices, exploring the legal implications of “firing and rehiring” and its impact on employment contracts. He covers: Tesco's 2007 agreement offering “retained pay” as a permanent contractual term; the Supreme Court ruling barring Tesco from dism...

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, ahead of the House of Commons summer recess this week, David Gauke, Tania Barnes and Isabella Dierden-Hunt discuss implications post General Election for the real estate industry, looking at the proposed policies of the new Government. They cover:  the new Government's focus on development and infrastructure and opportunities for the i...

Matthew Ramsey and Amy Daubeney cover: the new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment; equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) draft guidance on that duty; and consequences of non-compliance for employers. If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with Matthew and Amy . Interested in more podcas...

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Paul Hardwick discuss implications of the recent General Election for private clients, with a focus on proposed tax policies of the new Government. They cover:  the new Government's proposed tax plans, including in particular the planned changes to non-dom taxation; timing considerations; and possible reactions by clien...

In this episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Rachel Richardson discuss ESG policies outlined in the Labour and Conservative manifestos. They cover: the proposed climate policies; green finance initiatives; Labour's proposed solutions to make the UK more attractive for private capital, including a National Wealth Fund and the Energy Independence Act; and  La...

In the latest episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Bezhan Salehy discuss tax policy with a focus on business taxes. They cover: Labour's plans to raise revenue through targeted revenue measures; business tax strategy; and a focus on economic stability. If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in tou...

 In the second episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Matthew Ramsey and Kirti Tiwari-Mehta discuss potential changes to employment law amidst the current general election campaign. They cover:  potential employment law reform including the Labour Party's New Deal for Working People; Unfair dismissal protections and worker classifications; Ethnicity and disabili...

 In the first of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Dan Marriott and Rachael Ashton discuss property policy in light of the party manifestos ahead of the General Election.  They cover:  the current legislative picture and the importance of leasehold reform and tenant empowerment;  the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act and the Renters Reform Bill; and the proposed approaches...

With the announcement of the General Election, in this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Alexandra Green and Laura Bridgewater discuss the FCA's proposals to disclose the identity of companies under investigation at an earlier stage. They cover: the FCA's proposals to publicly announce the opening of enforcement investigations and disclose the identities of the companies; the f...

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Christopher Charlton and Chloe Edworthy discuss the state of English law and its international standing. Together they discuss: the impact of Brexit on legal jurisdiction; the status of judicial recruitment; and  the role of technology within the legal system. If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast...

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson and Gavin Haran consider the current state of ESG policies and sustainable finance. Together they discuss: the UK's progress in green finance since the 2021 COP26 summit; recent ESG developments including the government's nature markets framework and the Transition Finance Market Review; Europe's Corporate Sustain...

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Christopher Good and Margarida Ferreira consider what the pension fund reform means for the private capital industry. Together they discuss: private funds and what might happen in future, possibly after a change in government; France’s Tibi programme; the idea of a potential national wealth fund; and the practical impacts on funds and fundraising...