Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Water’s Evolving Role in Australia’s Data Centre Strategy

In this episode of Ashurst’s Legal Outlook series on data centres, real estate partner Alexandra Peace speaks with Planning, Access and Environment partners Jane Hall (Melbourne) and Rebecca Dixon (Sydney) about why water is fast becoming as strategic as power for Australia’s data centre sector. Th…

From Banks to Blocks: exploring TradFi/ DeFi collaboration

In this first episode of a two-part series, Ashurst’s Simon Williams is joined by Thomas Hyun, Director of Cryptocurrency Compliance at Forensic Risk, to examine how collaborations between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi) are moving from proof‑of‑concept to business as …

Women in Tech: AI on the In-House Agenda

AI on the In-House Agenda Rhiannon Webster is joined by Rebecca Seaman and Abby Kay, who are Legal Counsel in the Product and Technology Legal team at Sage. Rebecca and Abby talk through their career journeys that have taken them from literature and languages degrees to leading legal support on A…

Industrious Conversations - What employers need to know about flexible work requests

In the final episode for 2025 in our Industrious Conversations series, Employment partners Talia Firth and Jane Harvey break down the wave of recent Fair Work Commission decisions on flexible work arrangements, and what they mean for Australian employers navigating changing work patterns. They exp…

World@Work: AI in the Workplace: some practical challenges

We are pleased to share our latest World@Work global employment podcast on some practical challenges relating to the rapid rise of AI in the workplace. In this episode, we discuss several nations’ contrasting approaches to the regulation of AI. In particular, we shine a light on practical challeng…

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: France’s billion dollar bet on AI

France has ambitions to become Europe’s AI superpower, leveraging its highly decarbonised electricity grid and government backing to attract billions in data centre investment. In this episode, we explore the market in detail and flag up the issues that investors need to know. Ashurst’s Ruth Harri…

Takeover Talks: Should I Stay or Should I Go

After a run of firm offers in early Summer, the UK public M&A market softened in Q3. Alongside this there was a noticeable increase in lapsed or withdrawn bids. In the latest podcast, the duo unpicks the reasons behind this and whether there has been any fundamental shift in the Panel's approach to…

Ashurst Data Bytes 6: The ICO's new investigatory remit under the UK Data (Use and Access) Act

Wrapping up this season of Data Bytes, we examine the expanded powers given to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and what this means for data protection investigations now and in the future. Host Rhiannon Webster is joined by Ashurst colleagues Anthony Asindi and Tom Brookes to zoom in o…

Industrious Conversations: Managing employee social media influencers

In this episode, we lift the lid on a fascinating and fast-changing employment issue: the rise of online creators and social media influencers within the workforce, and the legal challenges this presents for employers. Ashurst partners Trent Sebbens and Rebecca Cope explore the rise of online infl…

Ashurst Data Bytes 5: How the UK's Data (Use and Access) Act Digital ID provisions could revolutionise our lives

In the penultimate episode of this season of Data Bytes, we look at how digital identity provisions will reshape the world as we know it. Physical ID cards may soon be a thing of the past, and that could have huge implications for society and businesses. Host Rhiannon Webster is joined by Ashurst …