Devolution Dissected - next steps for those on the frontline

In our latest episode of Tech Talks, Partner Charlotte Clayson is joined by Rebecca Keating, leading technology Barrister at 4 Pump Court, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of quantum computing and what it could mean for businesses in the years ahead. They explore Rebecca's career journey and what led her to specialise in technology law, before unpacking the fundamentals of quantum computing and separating the reality from the hype. Rebecca also shares her insights on the opportunities this technology could unlock, the potential challenges it presents for cyber security, and the steps organisations can take now to prepare for its future impact.

In our new More Than Business series, Senior Partner Sara Bailey, speaks with business leaders and innovators about the values that shape effective leadership today.In the second episode, Sara is joined by Catherine Gladwell, Founder and CEO of Refugee Education UK, to discuss her journey from teacher to charity founder and her work helping refugee children and young people access and thrive in education. Together, they explore empathetic leadership, resilience through challenging moments, making difficult decisions, creating opportunities for others, and why being yourself can be one of the most important qualities of a leader.

In the next episode of our series exploring the growth of Black-owned businesses across the UK, Yetunde Dania, Partner and Head of our Birmingham office, speaks with Justice Williams MBE, brand authority strategist, entrepreneur and publisher, about women in business and leadership.Justice reflects on her own journey and the challenges facing female founders, including access to finance, mentorship, support networks and visible role models. She also discusses her work with The Black Business Magazine and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s Black Business Collective, highlighting the importance of community and collaboration in creating opportunities for Black-owned businesses.The conversation also explores personal branding, authentic leadership and the importance of building businesses that deliver meaningful impact.

In the second episode of our Devolution Dissected update, Amardeep Gill, Head of our Public Sector team, and Paul McDermott continue the conversation with Evie John and Chris Naylor from Inner Circle Consulting, turning their attention to what comes next for councils on the frontline of local government reorganisation.The discussion explores what the Government's review could mean for councils unhappy with existing LGR decisions, how local authorities can use this period strategically and whether there is scope to make the case for different geographies or structures. They also consider how the current uncertainty interacts with the wider devolution agenda, before looking ahead to where LGR could ultimately end up and the potential timeline for reform.

Following the Government's recent decision to withdraw a number of local government reorganisation decisions and pause implementation in other areas, Amardeep Gill, Head of our Public Sector team, is once again joined by Paul McDermott, along with Evie John and Chris Naylor from Inner Circle Consulting, to unpack what the announcement means for councils.The discussion explores the legal differences between decisions being withdrawn, paused or under review, the role of judicial review and what councils should be doing now. They also consider the practical implications for data, procurement and contracts, programme teams, consultants and committed expenditure during this period of uncertainty.

Partner Jessica Arczynski is joined by Lucy Webb, Director at Inner Circle Consulting, to explore what it takes to create successful new towns and build places that can thrive for generations. Lucy shares her perspective on the importance of governance, stewardship and community involvement in delivering large-scale development, and why these considerations need to be embedded from the outset. The discussion also looks at building trust between communities, local authorities and delivery partners, balancing long-term vision with the flexibility to respond to change, and creating places that deliver lasting social and economic value.

In our new More than business series, Sara Bailey, Senior Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, speaks with business leaders and innovators about the values that shape effective leadership today. Through candid conversations, the series explores themes including empathy, empowerment, trust and authenticity, and how these qualities can help leaders and organisations thrive. In the first episode, Sara is joined by Melanie Lawson, Founder and CEO of Bare Biology, to discuss her journey from marketing professional to entrepreneur and the personal experiences that inspired her to create a purpose-led wellness brand. Together, they explore building a values-driven business, maintaining culture through periods of growth, supporting women in leadership, and the importance of open communication, collaboration and trust.

In the second episode of our Tech Talks podcast, Partner Charlotte Clayson is joined by Matthew Evans, COO and Director of Markets at techUK, to discuss his perspective on the role of technology across key sectors, and his insights into the future of the UK tech industry.They explore what first sparked Matthew's interest in the tech sector and how his path led him to techUK, alongside the organisation's role in supporting businesses and driving growth across the UK technology ecosystem. Matthew also shares his insights on the importance of collaboration between industry, government and advisers, the skills future leaders will need to succeed, and the emerging trends shaping the future of technology.

In this final episode of the Ending Well series, Amardeep Gill and Professor Catherine Staite bring the discussion full circle, reflecting on what it means to end well and how the quality of an ending directly shapes the effectiveness, legitimacy and accountability of what follows. The conversation considers transition as a critical governance moment in its own right, where TUPE arrangements, financial alignment, system integration and the continuity of public services all play a central role. While these practical tools are essential, they also highlight the importance of culture and intent in shaping how transition is experienced and delivered.They also consider how success should be understood in this context, asking what meaningful governance indicators for transition quality might look like for the ending council, the successor authority and the communities they serve.

In this episode, Amardeep Gill and Professor Catherine Staite explore the human dimensions of local government reorganisation and the leadership challenges that emerge when organisations are preparing to close rather than grow. While statutory structural change orders and shadow authority arrangements provide the legal framework for transition, the episode examines how councillors, chief executives, officers, partners and communities experience the reality of organisational change, and what good governance looks like under pressure.They discuss the relational and cultural aspects of effective endings, including how leaders navigate identity loss, institutional ambiguity and competing political incentives while remaining accountable and effective throughout the transition process. They also consider how organisational culture, behaviours and priorities are carried into successor arrangements, often shaping outcomes long after reorganisation has formally concluded.