Welcome to the third issue of Inside Cambridge. As we turn the page into 2025, it's my pleasure to bring you the latest from this historic and ever-evolving city.
The first few weeks of January are always a time for reflection. We're kicking off 2025 with our annual Fundraising Report, which offers a detailed look into the venture capital market for the year just ended, as well as a few hints for what is to come in the next 12 months.
There is no doubt that 2025 will see continued change in the world around us, most likely at an accelerated pace, so we have put together a number of guides to help you get ahead of the issues that matter most to you.
On the data front, we've put together a straightforward guide on Data Protection Impact Assessments to help you stay on top of your obligations.
In this issue, you'll also find Grace Houghton's chapter in The Cambridge Journal of Law, Politics and Art, where she looks at the ties between education and democratic health.
We continue to stay at the forefront of developments in AI, with a briefing on the Government's latest consultation and what it might mean for you.
For anyone anticipating the need for assistance within their family or financial planning, I would invite you to have a look at our Spotlight on Jackie Wells, who brings over 30 years of experience to the table as a lawyer and as a mediator, offering her wisdom and guidance. In the realm of environmental responsibility, we're excited about Mishcon Purpose's role in a new sustainable tourism project, which aims to be a game-changer for biodiversity funding.
As part of our commitment to all corners of the innovation triangle, the latest Oxford+ podcast features George Robinson discussing investment in university-led ventures, and our video series anticipates changes in the UK planning regime that could affect many of our clients.
We also tackle a tough topic many businesses don't think about until it's too late: what to do if a director faces mental incapacity. Our briefing is the latest in a series of notes which offer some practical steps on a variety of issues concerning directors.
Finally, we celebrate some of our own achievements from the last 12 months, including our Employment Department earning a spot in the 2025 IEL Elite guide, and our IP team having been at the forefront of some of the biggest and most high-profile IP disputes of the last decade. We're of course very proud of being recognised for the ways in which we help our clients, through hard work, dedication and expertise in our clients' industries, and look forward to continuing that work throughout 2025.
I hope you find this issue both useful and thought-provoking. As we look ahead to a year of learning, adapting, and thriving together, we also look forward to helping you make the best of everything that 2025 has in store. Happy New Year!