Linklaters’ global head of corporate Simon Branigan has been at the firm since 1998. He was promoted to partner in 2009, and in June 2021 took on the global corporate mantle.

During his time at the firm, he has advised on a variety of major deals, including OneSavings Bank and Charter Court Financial Services’ £1.6 billion merger and Capita in relation to its £701 million rights issue. Here, he talks office takeaways and ducking into the bathrooms at Buckingham Palace to take a call.