The Global Counsel Podcast

As we head into March, host Sewar Quran is joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices to discuss China’s Two Sessions, the UK Spring Statement, and the evolving European defence policy landscape.  Jiayu Li, Senior Associate in our Singapore office, explores China’s Two Sessions, where leaders will set the policy agenda for 2025. They cover the structure of the sessions, key agenda items, and the broader political implications, including the removal of traditional press conferences and the centralisation of power. Find out more about our work in Asia. Sewar then sits down with Lilah Howson-Smith, Practice Director in our UK Politics and Policy practice, to unpack the UK Spring Statement. They examine the economic challenges facing the government, including inflation, growth projections, and potential tax and spending decisions. Find out more about our work in UK politics and policy. Denzil Davidson, Director in our London office, joins the podcast to discuss the growing urgency for a coherent European defence policy amid Russia’s aggression and shifting US foreign policy. The discussion delves into the EU’s strategic autonomy in defence, the challenges posed by member states' differing priorities, and the evolving role of allies like Britain and Turkey in European security. Learn more about our work in Europe and Eurasia politics and policy.

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. 

This month, in our 'Back to school' edition, Isabelle Trick is joined by Global Counsel colleagues across our offices to discuss the new European Commission, UK party conference season, Germany's regional elections, and the United Nations General Assembly week. Tom White, our Europe Director explores the formation of the new European Commission, the allocation of portfolios, and the new balance of power. Find out more about our work on Europe and Eurasia politics and policy. Bex Bailey, Associate Director in our UK politics and policy team joins to discuss the importance of party conference season in the UK, why this year is different, and how to make the most of fringe events. Find out more about our work on UK politics and policy. Jannis Kettenring, Associate in our Berlin office analyses the performance of the far-right party AfD in recent German state elections and the difficulties of government formation there, the upcoming state elections in Brandenburg and their potential impact on the national political conversation. Find out more about our work in Berlin. Finally, Alexander Smotrov, Director for Multilateral Platforms, joins Isabelle to delve into the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the events and discussions that take place during this time, highlighting the relevance for businesses and NGOs. Find out more about our work in major events and convening.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

On this month’s episode, Isabelle is joined by Practice Director Matt Bevington, Director Ana Gradinaru, Senior Associate Alexander van der Wusten, and Analyst Karolina Lagercrantz. Matt discusses the immediate domestic policy priorities for the UK after the election, and talks about the significance of the EPC summit for the UK's relationship with the EU.Ana discusses how the French population will vote in the second round of the elections, and what a likely 'cohabitation' will mean for President Macron and for French policy on anything from defence to immigrationAlexander and Karolina discuss the role of the new NATO Secretary General and the enlarged membership in addressing issues such as Ukraine and the relationship with the US.