By: Maria Ward-Brennan

Professional Services Editor Maria Ward-Brennan is the Professional Services Editor at City AM, focused on law, Big Four, and other management and accounting consulting firms. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or X (Twitter) @MariaW_B.

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Co-op Insurance expands into loans in partnership with ClearScore

September 16, 2025

The insurance arm of the Co-op Group is expanding its presence in the financial services market by offering personal loans, in partnership with ClearScore. As part of the collaboration, ClearScore’s credit matching platform will be available to Co-op members and customers, offering personalised credit services. Its member-owners and customers will be able to access unsecured [...]
EU far-right Patriots engulfed in legal battles over funding headwinds

September 15, 2025

Europe’s far-right Patriots for Europe is engaged in legal action over the European Parliament’s accusation that it misused funds, as well as a battle to have withheld public funds returned. The Patriots for Europe, formerly the Identity and Democracy Party, surged to the third-largest group in the Parliament following the European election held last year, [...]
FCA hires influencers to raise awareness of motor finance compensation scheme

September 12, 2025

In its attempt to stop people using claims management companies or law firms to access the motor finance compensation scheme, the City watchdog has kicked off a £1m media campaign. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is launching a £1m campaign to inform people that they don’t need to use a CMC or law firm to [...]
EU Data Act: Stricter standards for smart devices and cloud services

September 12, 2025

The European Union (EU) Data Act, which is designed to boost the region’s data economy and support a more competitive market, is the latest piece of legislation putting technology under the spotlight. With this new law, the EU aims to build an internal market where data can move freely, unlocking more opportunities for businesses, individuals, [...]
Law firm Freshfields kicks off paralegal redundancies

September 12, 2025

Top British law firm Freshfields has kicked off a round of redundancies targeting paralegals in its Manchester office. According to a legal trade publication, Roll on Friday, paralegals in the Manchester office were summoned to a meeting last week titled “Important Update.” According to sources, the firm plans to axe about half of its junior [...]
Barclays boss: UK banks are taxed too much

September 12, 2025

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Barclays’ chief executive has called on the government to curb pay rises for public sector workers and to avoid increasing taxes on banks. Speaking to the Financial Times, CS Venkatakrishnan said “we need to find a way to curb wage inflation,” and emphasised the need to curb expenditure at the [...]
Audit watchdog launches ‘bold new programme’ to support growth at smaller firms

September 12, 2025

The audit regulator has unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing the presence of the UK’s small audit firms in the Public Interest Entity market. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has initiated a new and more proportionate supervisory approach, designed to enhance audit quality and reflect the unique needs of smaller firms. The body will [...]
Funding fears and departures rock law firm behind £36bn BHP lawsuit

September 11, 2025

The firm behind the multi-billion-pound lawsuit against mining giant BHP is currently experiencing an exodus of key lawyers, as fallout within the law firm continues to unfold. City-based law firm Pogust Goodhead, originally known as PGMBM before rebrand, is acting on one of the “most significant” group actions at the English High Court, representing over [...]
She championed consumers, but can Lucy Rigby MP steer the City?

September 11, 2025

Lawyers, journalists, and Westminster insiders have long dominated the British political system, and this Labour government is no exception, with a former barrister at the helm. Now, the minister responsible for the City has joined the list. But who is Lucy Rigby MP? That was the question on everyone’s lips in the Square Mile. She [...]
Von der Leyen: Russia must pay for Ukraine’s recovery

September 10, 2025

The European Commission has called for another package of sanctions against Russia with President Ursula von der Leyen saying: “This is Russia’s war, and it is Russia that should pay.” During her 2025 ‘State of the Union’ address, von der Leyen emphasised that European taxpayers should not be the only ones bearing the brunt of [...]

The road to growth: Why motorway services are key to EV revolution

Pep Guardiola to stay on CFG payroll after quitting Manchester City

Jinkx Monsoon’s Judy Garland musical proves drag is serious art

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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