The Global Counsel Podcast

In this special edition episode of the Global Month Ahead, host Isabelle Trick is joined by David Skilling, a Senior Adviser at Global Counsel and an expert on global economics and geopolitics. Isabelle and David delve into the global economic outlook for 2025, highlighting the diverging growth outlooks of different countries, with a deep dive into China. They discuss the challenges of inflation, the potential impact of tariffs, and the shift towards a wartime economy. This Global Month Ahead special edition episode is part of Global Counsel's The Politics of 2025, our annual programme reviewing and debating the political and policy landscape in 2025, featuring insights from our expert team and leading external commentators.Learn more about the programme

Ahead of a very busy February, co-hosts Isabelle Trick and Sewar Quran are joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices to discuss the federal election in Germany, the African Union summit and elections, and the AI Action Summit in Paris.Philipp Mühl, Associate Director in our Berlin office, explores the upcoming Bundestagswahl in Germany, discussing the current political landscape, polling data, and the dynamics between various political parties. Find out more about our work in Berlin.Isabelle then switches to the interviewee chair to unpack the African Union Summit, exploring the role of the AU Commission Chairperson, the candidates running for the position, and the key priorities that the new chair will need to address. Learn more about our work on geopoliticsAna Gradinaru, Director and Natasha Dixon, Senior Associate in our Tech, media and telecoms team, delve into the upcoming Paris AI Action Summit, discussing its key themes, geopolitical influences, expected deliverables, and the future of multilateral cooperation in AI. Learn more about our work in Tech, media and telecoms. 

In our first episode of 2025, Isabelle Trick is joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices to discuss Donald Trump’s second term, developments in EU defence policy, and the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos.Erin Caddell, President of GC USA, unpacks the implications of Donald Trump's second term, focusing on his initial priorities, including immigration and trade. Find out more about our work on US politics and policy.Tom White, Europe Director, discusses the current state of EU defence, focusing on the challenges posed by external threats, the need for better coordination among member states, and the impact of US politics on European defence strategies. Find out more about our work on Europe and Eurasia politics and policy.Alexander Smotrov, Director for multilateral platforms, looks ahead to the upcoming World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, focusing on the key themes and pillars of discussion, the unique appeal of the event, and the potential impact of Donald Trump's presidency on global conversations. Find out more about our work in major events and convening.

In this month's episode of the Global Month Ahead, Isabelle Trick, Associate Director in our Investor Services team, is joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices, including Sewar Quran, Senior Associate in our Doha office, who joins this episode as co-host, and Philipp Muehl. They discuss the upcoming vote of confidence and subsequent elections in Germany, the Doha Forum and other important events in the Gulf, and the upcoming elections in Ghana. Philipp, an Associate Director in our Berlin office, delves into the collapse of the German governing coalition and its impact on the country’s political and economic stability. He explores the timeline for the vote of confidence, the upcoming elections, and the key policy areas likely to dominate coalition negotiations. Find out more about our work in Berlin. Sewar examines the geopolitical importance of the Doha Forum and the World Summit AI Qatar. She explores how these events will focus on geopolitics and innovation, their significance in the region and beyond, and expected discussions. Find out more about our work in the MENA region. Lastly, Isabelle discusses the upcoming Ghanaian elections. She analyses the main candidates, their political backgrounds and policy platforms, and the economic challenges shaping voter sentiment. Find out more about how we support investors. If you, your business or your investment is affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode, get in touch with the Global Counsel team - www.global-counsel.com.

Harrison Coldray, Senior Associate in our Financial Services team, is joined by Heike Schmitz, Partner and Co-Head of ESG EMEA at Herbert Smith Freehills' Frankfurt office. As a new Commission shapes up in the European Union, the evolution of sustainable finance policy & politics will be critical to shaping a Clean Industrial Deal. This podcast looks at the emerging regulatory framework, a renewed focus on mobilising capital into transition finance, and the tough political choices the Commission has ahead of it. The EU, in many respects, had led the way to date in developing a robust framework for mobilising capital into sustainable activities. However the podcast explores the ways in which policymakers could ensure they bring consumers, businesses, and investors with them on this journey. 

Harrison Coldray, Senior Associate in our Financial Services team, sits down with James Alexander and Oscar Warwick Thompson from the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) to discuss where the sustainable finance agenda might be heading under a new government ambitious about unlocking flows of green capital to fund their 'missions'. They anticipate key areas of divergence from the previous government, including in approaches to regulatory frameworks, planning, and mobilising private capital through catalytic government action. The pressure on corporates and investors in closing the UK's green finance gap is no doubt ramping up, however the discussion highlights where government could play a role in removing blockages and creating the necessary economic conditions for sustainable investment to flow.