The Linklaters Podcast

Episode 21: The Linklaters Ideas Foundry
Speakers: Allyson Stewart-Allen and Ian Rodwell

What if leadership begins with a story rather than a spreadsheet? In this episode, Allyson Stewart-Allen, founder of International Marketing Partners, broadcaster and author of ‘Working with Americans’, joins Ian Rodwell to explore how storytelling, authenticity and an understanding of what motivates and inspires us can foster more effective leaders. Allyson shares her leadership lifeline approach, a simple values card exercise as well as her ‘best mistake’, and discusses why, in an increasingly AI-driven and virtual world, curiosity, empathy and vulnerability matter more than ever.

To watch all episodes in The Linklaters Ideas Foundry, visit our website.

Episode 4: The Single Rulebook Challenge: Navigating the new EU AML regime
In this episode, Stefaan Loosveld and Andreas Dehio examine one of the most revolutionary features of the new EU anti-money laundering framework: the single rulebook under the directly applicable AML Regulation (AMLR). They discuss how the move from national regimes to a uniform EU rulebook will reshape customer due diligence and affect long-standing national practices and interpretations, requiring firms to reassess the compliance of their policies and procedures with the new rules. The conversation also highlights key steps for impact and gap analysis ahead of the 10 July 2027 application date.

Listen to all the episodes in the series on our dedicated webpage.

Episode 1: Understanding surplus: legal parameters and trustee duties
Speakers: Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith  -  Linklaters
Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella - Law Debenture

In this podcast, Linklaters' Partners Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith are joined by Law Debenture's Trustee Directors Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella to discuss the legal parameters around pension scheme surplus and how these shape trustee duties.

Episode 2: Surplus in practice: negotiations, benefits and case studies
Speakers: Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith  -  Linklaters
Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella - Law Debenture

In this podcast, Linklaters' Partners Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith are joined by Law Debenture's Trustee Directors Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella to discuss how surplus plays out in practice through trustee–sponsor negotiations, benefit improvement discussions and case studies.

Antitrust & Foreign Investment Legal Outlook 2026
As we enter 2026, regulators are juggling competing demands: boosting economic growth while protecting national security and innovation.

The result? A tale of two speeds for dealmakers—fast-track approvals for straightforward transactions, but intensified scrutiny for anything touching AI, defence, or critical technologies.

Meanwhile, antitrust enforcement is ramping up globally, with record fines and AI-powered investigations changing how authorities catch violations. But enforcement is proving to be strategic, as authorities zero in on sectors which send the strongest political message. 

Our Legal Outlook 2026 report distils key themes and changes you can expect, with key tips from our global experts for the year ahead.