Sebastian J. Barling

Mr. Barling has particular experience advising banks, insurers, insurance intermediaries and asset managers on regulatory matters, including in respect of consumer duty, ESG, Brexit-related issues and fintech matters. This includes assisting clients with regulatory engagement with the FCA and PRA in respect of conduct and compliance matters.

He has significant experience in making financial regulatory filings and applications, including in respect of the authorisation of new businesses, obtaining approval for new controllers and changes to firm governance arrangements. He also provides clients with advice on market abuse and AML/KYC requirements.

Mr. Barling also offers clients day-to-day support on financial regulatory issues and advice on the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions in the financial services sector. He has extensive experience in the development, implementation and application of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). As part of this, he has helped establish new pieces of market infrastructure, including the first European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR)-authorised clearing house and new multilateral trading facilities (MTFs).

Since joining Skadden, his representations have included providing regulatory advice to:

• BlackRock in its acquisition of Preqin at an enterprise value of £2.55 billion
• BMS Group in its $579 million acquisition of David Roberts & Partners
• B-FLEXION in the merger of its portfolio company Securis Investment Partners LLP with Twelve Capital AG

Before joining Skadden, Mr. Barling was a financial regulatory partner at another global law firm.