A&O Shearman deals with a variety of governance matters, particularly those relating to listed companies, including AGM preparation, annual reporting advice, investor relations, and stakeholder management. David Broadley and Seth Jones lead the practice. Broadley routinely guides boardrooms on executive leadership changes, activist investor attacks and sensitive disclosure decisions. Jones is a reputed M&A lawyer and is a key contact for public companies, international corporates and financial investors. Other standout members of the team include Matthew Townsend, who leads on environmental and climate law matters; Claire Coppel, who frequently assists in shareholder activism matters; and Victoria Rankmore and Kate Astley, who both specialise in AGM and annual reporting advice. 2025 saw the departure of Richard Browne alongside the arrivals of Mahesh Varia from Travers Smith LLP and George Knighton from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP.

Lauded for its ‘strong industry knowledge’, Baker McKenzie LLP is equipped to handle matters pertaining to reporting compliance, remuneration, financial services, cyber security, reputation protection, crisis management, disputes, antitrust and tax. The trio sitting at the head of the practice is formed of Jo Hewitt, who has a focus on the structuring, implementation and management of corporate reorganisation projects; James Thompson, whose expertise lies in UK Takeover Code-governed companies and capital raisings; and Nick Bryans, who brings expert knowledge of the oil and gas, renewable energy, infrastructure, industrials, consumer goods and healthcare sectors. Tom Quincey is a name to note for his extensive UK PLC expertise.

Clifford Chance LLP is home to a wide-ranging corporate governance practice which advises on compliance, regulatory and risk management mandates and investigations. The team also specialises in shareholder issues for listed companies, including activist investors and contentious company board disputes. Jointly steered by David Pudge and Luke Tolaini, the team benefits from Pudge’s proven track record handling reputationally sensitive board-level corporate governance matters and Tolani’s extensive expertise in corporate crisis events and significant investigatory and investor actions. Steven Fox draws on significant experience advising boards, GCs and shareholders on public company-related law. Richard Crosby brings expertise regarding financial institutions and is a key point of contact for large banking clients. Alanna Hunter is well-versed in matters concerning activist investors, director changes and succession planning.

Highly sought-after for its 'legally sound' advice and keen grasp of potential stakeholder issues, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is a key port of call on corporate governance matters. The team is well-versed in boardroom and head office governance for both listed and privately held companies, as well as specialist investigations and crisis management. Gareth Sykes takes charge of the practice and regularly advises on corporate reporting requirements, the UK Corporate Governance Code and obligations under the Market Abuse Regulation. The team is ably supported by James Palmer, whose client base spans both corporates and financial institutions, and Caroline Hagg, who is often relied on by FTSE-listed companies on an array of corporate governance matters.

Travers Smith LLP's corporate governance offering specialises in advice to listed companies on governance regulation, directors’ duties, reputation protection, executive remuneration, board-level issues and governance-related internal investigations. The practice, led by Adrian West and Aisling Arthur, also has expertise in contentious risk management, anti-corruption and sustainability. West specialises in Market Abuse Regulation and compliance with regimes including the FCA listing rules and AIM rules. Arthur excels in dealing with shareholder activism, market abuse regime and board policies. Neal Watson is a standout feature of the team and is relied on by main market and AIM companies for his governance expertise. Klementyna Zastawniak excels in matters involving directors’ duties, annual reporting obligations and market abuse regimes.

Acclaimed for its ‘exceptional corporate governance expertise’, Addleshaw Goddard assists on strategic matters regarding directors’ duties, AGM procedure, employee incentives, financial regulation compliance, ESG and contentious regulatory investigations. Together leading the practice, Jaya Gupta brings a wealth of corporate governance, corporate compliance and listed company issues knowledge; Ben Koehne specialises in the financial services sector; Michelle de Kluyver leads on corporate crime and investigations work; and Jonathan Fletcher-Rogers focuses his practice on employee incentives and remuneration matters. Richard Preston is also a standout feature of the team, focusing his practice on corporate governance and compliance.

Dentons acts as trusted advisor to financial institutions, private equity firms, multinational corporations and government bodies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance and investigations. The group, headed by Katharine Harle and Richard Barham, has a strong focus on financial services regulation, SMCR, shareholder activism and cross-border risk management. Harle heads the UK regulatory and investigations work and specialises in acting for FCA- and PRA-regulated businesses. Barham brings extensive corporate expertise to the team and is well-versed in the banking, transport, manufacturing and sports sectors. Daniel Lund excels in advising on financial crime risks in the private equity space.

Linklaters LLP combines its strong reputation in the ESG space with expertise in governance, risk management and regulatory issues, providing a holistic corporate governance service to its clients. The group is relied on from policy reviews, to reporting obligations and crisis management. The group is overseen by Lucy Reeve, whose expertise lies in compliance matters involving the Market Abuse Regulation, Listing Rules, DTRs and reporting obligations; Rachel Barrett, who brings ESG knowledge to the group, as well as experience in risk management, stakeholder activism and crisis management; and Alexandra Beidas, who excels in board and senior management terminations and remuneration. Aileen Buchanan is a further key contact. Vanessa Harvard-Williams departed the firm in May 2025.

The ‘truly stellar’ corporate governance practice at RPC is relied on by an array of sectors including the listed markets, financial services, insurance and retail, as well as US-owned corporates. Its full-service offering covers governance, regulatory responsibilities, remuneration policies, DEI initiatives, fiduciary duties and data protection compliance. The group is led by the capable quartet formed of Patrick Brodie, who is routinely instructed to design and implement corporate governance programmes and initiatives at executive level; Jeremy Drew, whose knowledge of reporting of governance, culture and conduct issues strengthens the team; Matthew Griffith, who is an expert in the insurance and financial services spaces and Connor Cahalane, who is a key contact for clients in the retail and technology sectors.

Ashurst‘s governance and compliance practice covers an array of matters related to listed company, board, and shareholder governance, including shareholder activism, ESG, disclosure, public M&A, corporate regulatory investigations, remuneration and data protection matters. Will Chalk heads up the practice and advises on all issues related to directors’ duties, governance, reporting, ESG and compliance issues. Other standout features of the team include Rhiannon Webster, who assists on data privacy and cybersecurity matters; Eleanor Reeves, whose expertise lies in ESG risk and disclosure; Lorraine Johnston, a key contact for clients in the retail and private banking spaces; and Ruby Hamid, who focuses on financial crime and corporate investigations. Former practice co-head Robert Hanley departed the firm in May 2025.