Charles Russell Speechlys Podcast Channel

Retail Collection: Business and Social Enterprise

Fat Macy’s is reshaping what social mobility looks like in London — supporting people in temporary accommodation to rebuild confidence, gain real-world experience and move towards lasting employment and stable housing. By combining structured training with hands-on hospitality placements and tailored, wraparound support, it tackles the systemic barriers that keep people trapped between benefits and work, turning potential into long-term opportunity. Additionally, it also runs as a successful business as an extension of its charitable arm which helps drive its operations further. 

In this episode of the Retail Collection, Iwan Thomas, a Senior Associate in the Corporate team, sat down with Tori Western, Operations and Development Manager at Fat Macy’s, to learn more about this purpose led business, its uniqueness as a concept, and insights into its social enterprise and business elements. The Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation has supported Fat Macy’s for over 5 years, through grant funding as one of our London charity partners. 

Extra Time: Evolution of Technology in Sport

Technology is reshaping many dimensions of sport — from the way athletes train, recover and perform, team strategy and tactics, to how fans bond with their team. The real transformation lies in the convergence of data and human expertise: turning vast streams of data and information into actionable insight as a tool to improving the on field success of a sporting organisation. As investment accelerates and AI moves from experimentation to execution, those who harness technology responsibly — while navigating its legal, ethical and governance challenges — will be well placed to integrate the use of data into their sporting strategy. 

Anna Sowerby, Associate in the Commercial team at Charles Russell Speechlys, sat down with Andrew Kitchen, deputy General Counsel of Hudl, to discuss the evolution of technology’s involvement in sport and the ever increasing impact it is having, particularly around performance of athletes and teams.

Disputes Over Donuts: Dawn Raids – Preparation, Response and What to Expect

Welcome to Disputes Over Donuts, our podcast series where we explore the diverse world of dispute resolution with leading experts across various fields. Each episode features different hosts and guests, bringing unique perspectives to the evolving landscape of disputes.
 
This episode provides a clear, practical guide to dawn raids – what they are, which authorities can carry them out, and how organisations can prepare for and manage them effectively. Hosted by Jonathan Huth, Partner (Dubai), the episode features insights from Pierre Bydovsky, Partner (Geneva), and Richard Burger, Partner (London), alongside guest speaker Alexandra Will, Financial Crime and Regulatory Partner at Grant Thornton.
 
The discussion covers the nature and scope of dawn raids, preparation and readiness strategies, how to handle the critical first moments when investigators arrive, document requests and what companies can and cannot do during a raid, and the role of senior management and boards during investigations. The episode also examines common pitfalls when organisations face surprise regulatory visits, the consequences of failing to cooperate, and practical steps to take once a raid concludes. The episode closes with key practical advice for organisations navigating this area.

Corporate human rights due diligence – episode 2: practical insights from the experts

As human rights and supply chain regulation hardens and legislative scrutiny intensifies, businesses must move fast—embedding risk based due diligence deep into their operations and supply chains. With new laws reshaping expectations across jurisdictions, the challenge is clear: understand the rules, prioritise the real risks, and build supply chains that are resilient, responsible, and ready for what’s next.

In this new mini-series on supply chain due diligence, Kerry Stares, Partner and Director of Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys sits down with guests to discuss these issues in greater depth. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Peter Nestor, Global Head of Human Rights at Novartis to dive deeper into human rights risk based due diligence, prioritising human rights considerations within an organisation, and the ways in which businesses can adapt to these developments.  

Social risks in the supply chain – from due diligence to resilience: Corporate human rights due diligence – a snapshot of the law in EU/UK

As human rights and supply chain regulation hardens and legislative scrutiny intensifies, businesses must move fast—embedding risk based due diligence deep into their operations and supply chains. With new laws reshaping expectations across jurisdictions, the challenge is clear: understand the rules, prioritise the real risks, and build supply chains that are resilient, responsible, and ready for what’s next.

In this new mini-series on supply chain due diligence, Kerry Stares, Partner and Director of Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys sits down with guests to discuss these issues in greater depth. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Christina Rahbek CRA, Partner at Gorrissen Federspiel in Denmark, and Ingo Theusinger, Partner at Noerr in Germany, to discuss the cross-jurisdictional impact of the new laws. 

Property Patter: how to prepare for Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will fundamentally impact the way certain commercial properties are managed – both by owners/landlords and the businesses occupying them. Ben Butterworth and Rory Partridge join Emma Humphreys to provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate and comply with this new law. It's an essential listen for any commercial property owner or business who wants to stay ahead of the curve and ensure their premises are ready for the changes – to be both safe and compliant.

Disputes Over Donuts: A Conversation with Umar Azmeh, Registrar of the QICDRC

Welcome to Disputes Over Donuts, our podcast series where we explore the diverse world of dispute resolution with leading experts across various fields. Each episode features different hosts and guests, bringing unique perspectives to the evolving landscape of disputes.

In this episode of Disputes Over Donuts, our three hosts Patrick Gearon, Partner and Head of Middle East, Paula Boast (Partner and Head of Construction, Engineering & Projects, Middle East), and Christopher O’Brien, Senior Associate, are joined by Umar Azmeh, Registrar of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre. 

Umar discusses what attracted him to the role of Registrar, explains what sets the QICDRC apart, its emphasis on thought leadership, and his vision for its future.

Property Patter: What lies ahead for property law in 2026?

Emma Humphreys and Laura Bushaway are joined by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC and Ashpen Rajah of Falcon Chambers to look at what lies ahead for property law during 2026. Themes discussed include:

• How to satisfy ground (f) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
• Proposed changes to commercial lease rent reviews
• Getting ready for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• What’s happening with leasehold reform?      
• Working with the Building Safety Act 2022
• Developments in case-law on protestors

For more detail on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, listen to: Property Patter Podcast: Top 5 Changes under the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025

To stay up-to-date on residential property changes, keep an eye on our Essential Residential Hub | Charles Russell Speechlys

Cases and legislation referred to in this episode of Property Patter are:

• Spirit Pub Company (Managed) Limited v. Pridewell Properties (London) Limited [Unreported, Mayor’s and City of London County Court, 14 March 2025] – being appealed to the High Court to be heard in March 2026
• S Franses Ltd v. Cavendish Hotel (London) Ltd [2018] UKSC 62
• Peachside Limited v. Lee [2024] EWHC 921 (TCC)
• English Devolution and Empowerment Bill
• Law Commission project page on Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/business-tenancies-the-right-to-renew/
• Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024
• Triathlon Homes LLP v Stratford Village Development Partnership and Others [2025] EWCA Civ 846
• Adriatic Land 5 Limited v. Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point and Another [2025] EWCA Civ 856

Extra Time: Football Beyond Borders – the Lost Boys taskforce

This episode of Extra Time turns to the philanthropic side of the game and how sport can be used to address some of the challenges that young people in society, young men in particular, are confronted with.

Football Beyond Borders recently launched the Lost Boys Taskforce, an initiative designed to respond to the increasing pressures adolescents experience during their formative years and the long-term consequences these pressures can have. At the heart of the initiative is the Trusted Adult Guarantee, a nationwide call to train 10,000 adults to act as mentors outside a young person’s immediate family—providing a support network, positive encouragement, and consistent guidance.

David Savage, Social Mobility Champion and Partner in the Construction and Real Estate team, sat down with Paul Barber OBE, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, to highlight the urgent need for meaningful intervention—and the role trusted adults can play in positively shaping decision making at critical moments in a young person’s life.

Property Patter: Top 5 Changes under the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act represents a significant shift in relations between landlords and tenants in the private rented sector. Lauren Fraser and Laura Bushaway join Emma Humphreys to discuss their “Top 5” changes to prepare for.

For further information on the detail of the changes and to keep up-to-date as the legislation takes effect, head to our Essential Residential Hub.