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 edits the Beyond The Billable newsletter and column. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or on X @MariaW_B.

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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 [...]
City of London Police chair: Fraud is ‘damaging the foundations of our nation’

September 10, 2025

The chair of the City of London Police Authority Board has warned that fraud is “damaging the foundations of our nation” and the UK must treat it with the same urgency as street crime. Speaking at the Police Authority Board dinner on Wednesday, City AM can reveal that Tijs Broeke told senior police, business, and [...]
Top Tory slams Anglo American’s move to relocate HQ to Canada

September 9, 2025

Anglo American will merge with Canada’s Teck Resources in a $50bn (£36bn) deal, shifting its headquarters to Canada and reducing its London presence in a move criticised by shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith. The Tory MP said it represents a blow to UK business and confidence in London. The new entity, to be called Anglo [...]
Tube strikes: RMT threatens Elizabeth Line disruption next

September 9, 2025

As Tube strikes stretch into a third day of disruption, the RMT trade union has now threatened to hit the Elizabeth Line with industrial action. From Sunday evening, tube drivers went on strike over the working hours of union members, who enjoy a salary of around £65,000, as RMT’s new boss Eddie Dempsey is demanding [...]

Oxford Street pedestrianisation brings ‘staggering’ shopping boost

Women’s football doesn’t need to become men’s football to succeed

The Capitalist: City AM reporter gets royal trashing by AI slop

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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