Ashurst

Congratulations to the McLaren Racing team on a strong start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, securing victory at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne! As McLaren’s Official Legal Services Provider, we know that success on the track and in business demands more than just technical excellence. It takes agility, precision and the confidence to make the right calls under pressure. That’s what drives McLaren. That’s what drives us. We're looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings!

Wrapping up the week after a fantastic couple of days in Hong Kong. I had the pleasure of attending our client event last night, which is always a highlight on the calendar, and thanking our clients for their continued support.   Our Hong Kong office plays a crucial role in Ashurst's presence in Asia, enabling us to support local and international clients with their strategic goals.   Over the past twelve months we've welcomed four new partners in Asia to boost our Corporate Transactions, Energy Transition, Disputes, and Investment Funds teams - including Sylvia Tee and James Ford in Hong Kong - which is a testament to our commitment to our clients and growing our capabilities in the region. During my visit I also hosted a town hall meeting with our Hong Kong team, where I updated them on the firm's strategy and highlighted the positive impact of their contributions.   Thank you to everyone in the Hong Kong office - including Office Managing Partner Ben Hammond and Asia Head of Region Jini Lee - for the warm welcome and for organising such an impressive event. Importantly, a huge thank you to all our clients who joined us for a wonderful evening!   #OutpacingChange

We have advised Alpha Data on its initial public offering and listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), serving as both international and local UAE counsel. Alpha Data, a leading digital transformation provider, transitioned from a limited liability company to a public joint stock company, becoming the first fully family-owned business to list on ADX in recent years. Our team was led by corporate partner Simon Rahimzada. Read more about our work here: https://lnkd.in/eDhnamP3

In our latest podcast, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of the UK’s financial services regulators from Miles Bake, someone who knows the PRA and FCA better than most: https://lnkd.in/ebeaCK9i Host Nathan Willmott and his colleague Adam Jamieson leave no stone unturned, asking these questions (and many more): ▪️ How do regulators determine which firms do and don’t get referred for investigations? ▪️ In the absence of targets or metrics, how do regulators decide the appropriate level of enforcement? ▪️ Since the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, how successful has the senior managers regime been? ▪️ How aligned or divergent are the FCA and PRA’s enforcement policies and actions? ▪️ During investigations, how do regulators balance the need for transparency with firms’ reputational risks? ▪️ When enforcement heads consider policy decisions, how do they determine when government consultation is required? #LegalOutlook #UKregulation

Investment in Spain’s retail sector remains strong, as demonstrated by Lighthouse Properties' €96 million acquisition of Alcalá Magna Shopping Centre in Madrid. Our team, led by Joaquín Macías Pérez and Ricardo García-Borregón Tenreiro, advised on this significant transaction, highlighting the resilience of well-located retail assets and our expertise in strategic real estate investments. This deal has been featured in Expansión, underscoring its market impact. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eZsb7Rzm

We are continuing our investment in Papua New Guinea with the appointment of Michael Henao as a lead litigation partner in our Port Moresby office. Michael brings a wealth of experience in litigation, regulatory, and commercial work across various sectors, including banking, finance, and telecommunications. His return to Ashurst will undoubtedly strengthen our team and enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of our clients in Papua New Guinea and beyond. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gD7aFiSV

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, recognise the work still to be done, and credit the women driving change in our industry and communities. Looking back on my own journey, I know I would not be where I am today without the backing of sponsors and mentors who supported me. Their belief in me made a real difference, and I hope that doing the same for others has the same effect. As Ashurst's first female Global Chair in our 200+ year history, it's great to see how far we have come since setting our first gender target in 2016. Back then, 19 percent of our Partners and 18 percent of our Senior Leadership were women. Today, that has grown to 34 percent and 32 percent, a testament to the dedication of my colleagues and the Leadership Team globally. There is still much to do, but days like today remind us why this work matters. A special thank you to the brilliant women across our global offices for everything you do for our people and the impact you make on our clients, culture, and communities. #IWD2025

Will the EU’s reforms help businesses by simplifying sustainability rules? The European Commission’s Omnibus Package changes key sustainability regulations. It reduces the number of companies required to report, limits how far businesses must check their supply chains, and removes legal accountability at the EU level. Some see this as cutting red tape. Others argue it weakens ESG commitments. What does it mean for businesses? Read our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/eW6-UrN8

We advised Future Biogas on the launch of Moor Bioenergy, the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane plant, launched in conjunction with AstraZeneca. Now fully operational in Lincolnshire, the plant supplies 100 GWh of renewable energy to AstraZeneca annually, reducing fossil gas emissions by approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent each year. It also generates enough biomethane to heat over 8,000 homes, contributing to the UK’s green energy capacity. Led by Cameron Smith, we structured a novel gas supply, sleeving and shipping arrangement with AstraZeneca and Shell, which could serve as a model for unlocking the potential of anaerobic digestion plants and further decarbonising UK industry. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d4aenG7q

We recently hosted a memorable client appreciation reception in Singapore, providing a fantastic opportunity for our clients, partners and team members to connect and celebrate our shared success. Thank you to all who joined us for a wonderful evening!