James Palmer, Senior Partner - Herbert Smith Freehills

James Palmer is chair and senior partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. He specialises in corporate law, governance and financial regulation. James has been with the firm for 34 years and advises clients on transactions, governance, strategic and reputational challenges and negotiations. He has had extensive involvement in many of the significant developments in UK and EU law and regulation across takeovers, capital markets, company law and corporate governance, including in particular the UK law on directors' duties and liabilities and shareholder derivative actions. Over the last few years James has been closely involved in the debate with the UK government and policy makers on the terms of the UK/EU trading relationship post Brexit and on the UK’s new proposed foreign direct investment (FDI) regime. Since COVID-19, he has worked with legislators on deregulatory measures for companies to address governance process simplification, as well as being on TheCityUK‘s Recapitalisation Group developing proposals for the UK Treasury Department and the Bank of England, for the recapitalisation of UK businesses post COVID-19. James has contributed to a wide array of legal publications, writing on his field of expertise.

Matthew Hurd, Partner - Sullivan & Cromwell

Matthew Hurd is among the most experienced corporate lawyers, globally, with a practice that focuses on advising boards and executives on precedent-setting transactions. In three decades of law practice, Matthew has steered some of the world’s most significant transactions to success. He has particular expertise with hostile transactions, special tax/governance structures and dynamics facing innovative companies. He has routinely been recognised for his expertise by various bodies.

Hubert Segain, Partner - Herbert Smith Freehills

Hubert Segain is a partner and head of corporate/M&A in the Paris office. He has extensive experience advising on public and private M&A, corporate finance, corporate governance and group reorganisations. He is also a key board room adviser on a range of critical issues, including shareholder activist matters and crisis management, and practises across a range of sectors. Hubert regularly collaborates with regulatory bodies (such as the AMF) and other professional organisations on matters affecting corporate and financial regulations and has published more than thirty papers on these topics. Having studied in France (Sorbonne and Assas) and the United States (Yale), he is registered with the Paris and New York State Bars.

Gareth Sykes, Of Counsel - Herbert Smith Freehills

Gareth Sykes is a member of the firm's corporate governance advisory team, advising a range of listed and privately held companies on a variety of governance issues. Gareth’s expertise includes advising on corporate reporting requirements, the UK Corporate Governance Code, continuing obligations pursuant to the UK listing regime, company meetings and directors' duties. A key part of his role is horizon-scanning, analysing new law and regulation to ensure that the firm's clients anticipate and remain at the forefront of corporate governance developments and practice. Gareth writes widely on corporate governance matters.

Bernardo Canales Fausti, Senior Partner - Canales, Dávila, De la Paz, Enríquez, Leal, Sáenz, S.C.

Bernardo Canales Fausti is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of experience in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financing, private equity, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, aviation transactional law, as well as in real estate transactions, such as real estate investment vehicles for asset acquisition and sale, leasing, project design and development. Bernardo is director in different domestic and international companies and funds.