Craig Coben, former global head of equity capital markets at Bank of America and now a contributor to FT Alphaville, dives into the current state of IPOs and the rising influence of private equity. He discusses why companies are staying private longer and the challenges they face prepping for an IPO. The conversation touches on the regulatory impacts on public markets and contrasts the recovering US IPO landscape with struggles in Europe and Asia. Coben also shares insights on the societal importance of robust public markets.

Craig Coben, a former senior investment banker, shares his firsthand experiences of the relentless 100-hour work weeks prevalent in investment banking. Suzi Ring, the FT’s legal correspondent, dives into the unforgiving culture of London law firms, where client satisfaction takes precedence over work-life balance. They discuss why simply hiring more staff won’t ease the burden and the evolving landscape of flexible work arrangements. Together, they explore the lasting impact of the pandemic on these demanding industries.