Leveraging ‘breadth and depth’ throughout the financial services sector, which is enhanced by the team’s international capability, Linklaters LLP is well-positioned to support clients with retail and consumer concerns, ESG requirements, wholesale reforms, fintech and digital assets matters, and governance concerns. Former practice head Martyn Hopper retired from the practice in January 2025, and the team has since been strengthened by the arrival of new head Harry Eddis, a market-leading expert in financial markets regulation. Eddis brings particular specialism in clearing platforms, fintech innovation, perimeter and conduct issues, regularly advising major banks, broker-dealers and investment managers on complex regulatory change, including MiFID II and post-Brexit compliance. Michael Kent has a reputation within major banks and investment firms for work involving governance, SMCR implementation, MiFID II, and market infrastructure initiatives, and is particularly well-versed in advising on high-profile consortia projects and complex regulatory change. Peter Bevan excels in broker-dealer and investment bank advisory, regulatory investigations, and product structuring, frequently advising global financial institutions on regulatory change, ESG, market abuse, and cross-border compliance. While Alastair Holt brings broad sector expertise across licensing, conduct, governance, prudential rules, and transactions, with a growing focus on the insurance sector. The ’knowledgeable and commercially minded’ Raza Naeem is noted for work involving ESG, MiFID, Brexit and funds regulation. James Morris and Clare Whittle are further key contacts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Breadth and depth in such a small team is unusual.’

  • ‘Raza Naeem is incredible, very knowledgeable and commercially minded.'

  • 'Helpful; very knowledgeable; approachable, and do not pretend they know things they don't. Efficient and effective.'

  • 'Alastair Holt is extremely helpful.'

  • 'Incredible breadth and depth of expertise across high-risk, cross-border mandates. Few firms offer such a one-stop shop of knowledge.'

  • 'Harry Eddis is an outstanding partner and a key reason we value the team so highly. He combines deep technical knowledge with approachability and practical wisdom.'

  • 'Linklaters’ non-contentious financial regulatory team is widely regarded as “top-class,” with an incredible breadth and depth of expertise across high-risk, cross-border mandates.'

  •  

Key clients

  • Nomura
  • Citi
  • Bank of New York
  • Bank of America
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Nomura
  • HSBC
  • Standard Charter
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Investec
  • NatWest
  • Rothesay and Phoenix
  • Starling
  • Tandem Bank
  • Revolut
  • Sainsbury’s Bank
  • Blackstone
  • Warburg Pincus
  • Barclays
  • BNYM

Work highlights

Acting for a consortium of buy-side and sell-side firms  on a shared interpretation of the complex changes being made to Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) equity and non-equity transparency rules in both the UK and EU.
Advise a range of financial institution clients, sell-side banks and buy-side asset managers, on their strategic positioning on ESG at both a product and group level in relation to current and incoming regulatory requirements.
Advised Sainsbury’s Bank’s on its asset sale to NatWest and J Sainsbury plc and Sainsbury’s Bank plc on the sale of its core banking business ) to the NatWest Group.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Michael Kent

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

James Morris

Practice head

Harry Eddis

Other key lawyers

Michael Kent; Peter Bevan; Alastair Holt; Raza Naeem; James Morris; Clare Whittle