David's recent experience as a partner at AG includes the matters set out below.

Contentious financial services advice

• Acting for two UK banks in separate investigations conducted by the Payment Systems Regulator into alleged breaches of the Interchange Fee Regulation
• Acting for a former commodities trader in an FCA investigation into allegations of trading losses being concealed by the booking of fictitious trades
• Advising an insurance firm in an internal whistleblowing investigation into non-financial misconduct, including dealing with allegations relating to the excessive consumption of alcohol and mistreatment of colleagues at work, and associated regulatory notifications and reporting
• Advising a part of the UK government that deals with financial services on a highly sensitive internal whistleblowing investigation
• Advising the seven founding banks on the setup of the Business Banking Resolution Service – a voluntary ombudsman service for use by small and medium sized businesses
• Advising a trade association and a series of financial institutions on 'wider implications' complaints before the Financial Ombudsman Service, particularly with respect to alleged unfairness in standard variable rate mortgage lending
• Acting as a strategic litigation adviser to a UK retail bank in its implementation of the FCA's new Consumer Duty rules
• Advising a fintech firm in a contentious FCA process seeking to restrict its business activity
• Advising a series of different firms in relation to alleged unauthorised business / breaches of the FSMA perimeter

Contentious regulatory advice to listed companies

• Acting for a FTSE 100 plc in a series of internal investigations relating to the management of inside information and compliance with UK MAR, as well as associated inquiries by the FCA and Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
• Acting for a listed plc in a 'twin track' FCA investigation into potential market abuse and other breaches UK MAR, particularly alleged delays to the disclosure of inside information
• Advising a listed plc in FCA inquiries into the alleged unlawful disclosure of inside information and alleged improper dealing by a senior executive and a member of their family
• Advising a listed plc on FRC inquiries into compliance with the Corporate Governance code / associated Listing Rules
• Advising a number of energy firms in relation to matters arising out of the REMIT regulation in gas and electricity markets
• Advising a major commodities producer on its approach to alleged abuse of commodities markets by other market participants

David also works closely with AG's Corporate Governance team to provide Board and other senior management training, to help firms and their managers understand the potential consequences of non-compliance with UK MAR and UK listing regime.

Financial crime and AML

• Acting for a specialist lender in an internal investigation into allegations of bribery, corruption, breaches of AML legislation and associated FCA rules, and advising on associated FCA reporting
• Advising a trade finance firm in FCA inquiries into its AML systems and controls
• Advising a specialist lender on the review and upgrade of its AML policies, procedures and controls
• Advising a series of major UK banking providers on AML regulation as part of the incorporation and launch of 'Cash Access UK Limited', a vehicle intended to help protect access to cash in the UK economy
• Advising a specialist lender on the application of AML legislation to complex finance structures and associated remediation
• Acting for a boutique financial services advisory firm in SFO inquiries into alleged money laundering
• Advising a series of non-financial services providers (including telecoms and consumer electronics firms) on the scope and application of AML legislation to their businesses
• Advising a financial services firm in relation to alleged misuse of electoral roll data.

David Pygott is also a Deputy MLRO for Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

• BPP Law School, London (Postgraduate Diploma, 2004, Legal Practice)
• University of Cambridge (MPhil , 2003, European Studies)
• Oxford University (BA, 2002, Law with law studies in Europe)

"David is a superstar; he demonstrates real depth of knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to help clients articulate risks and opportunities."  "A real asset to have on your side" - Chambers and Partners, 2023

"David Pygott is excellent – careful, detail-oriented and knowledgeable." L500 2023

"David Pygott brings a huge depth of knowledge and always seeks to apply it pragmatically to the benefit of his clients." - L500 2023

"David Pygott has phenomenal knowledge of financial services regulation, close attention to detail, is devoted to client service and determined to get as good a result as possible" - L500 2022

"David Pygott is both extraordinarily knowledgeable about financial services regulation and extremely hard-working. He has been instrumental in taking the Addleshaw Goddard team from strength to strength since his arrival and has been involved in some ground-breaking work." L500 2022

• French
• German
• Italian
• Dutch (Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II, 2023)

• Law Society of England and Wales