FCA charges City lawyer with insider dealing over maternity brand acquisition

Key facts

• The FCA has charged City lawyer Richard Bloomfield with five counts of alleged insider dealing.
• Bloomfield allegedly used confidential information gained while working on an acquisition of Seraphine Group.
• The trades in Seraphine Group shares occurred between March 28, 2022, and January 10, 2023.
• Bloomfield appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and was released on unconditional bail.
• The case will proceed to Southwark Crown Court, with the next appearance scheduled for August 5, 2026.
• The FCA stated it is not investigating the law firm or Seraphine Group.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged Richard Bloomfield, a 38-year-old City lawyer, with five counts of alleged insider dealing. The charges relate to trades made in the maternity fashion brand Seraphine Group between March 28, 2022, and January 10, 2023. Prosecutors allege that Bloomfield used confidential information obtained through his role in an acquisition of the company to conduct these trades.

Bloomfield appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he entered no plea and was released on unconditional bail. The case has now been transferred to Southwark Crown Court, with his next appearance scheduled for August 5, 2026. The FCA has clarified that neither the law firm Bloomfield worked for nor Seraphine Group itself are under investigation.