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FCA charges City lawyer with insider dealing over maternity brand acquisition

Created at 8 Jul · 5:05 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged Richard Bloomfield, a City lawyer, with five counts of alleged insider dealing. The charges stem from trades made in Seraphine Group shares between March 2022 and January 2023, using confidential information obtained during an acquisition process.

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Key Numbers

5counts of alleged insider dealing
38age of Richard Bloomfield
28 March 2022start date of alleged trading
10 January 2023end date of alleged trading
5 August 2026next court appearance date

Who's Involved

FCA
Financial Conduct Authority, charging the lawyer
Richard Bloomfield
City lawyer charged with insider dealing
Seraphine Group
Maternity fashion brand whose shares were allegedly traded
FCA charges City lawyer with insider dealing over maternity brand acquisition

↳ Why This Matters

This case highlights the FCA's ongoing efforts to police insider trading within the financial sector and underscores the severe consequences for legal professionals who misuse confidential information.

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.

Frequently asked questions

City lawyer Richard Bloomfield has been charged with five counts of alleged insider dealing.

The alleged insider dealing involved shares of the maternity fashion brand Seraphine Group.

The alleged trades occurred on five occasions between March 28, 2022, and January 10, 2023.

Bloomfield allegedly used confidential information gained while working on an acquisition of Seraphine Group.

Bloomfield appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, entered no plea, and was released on unconditional bail. The case will proceed to Southwark Crown Court.

What Happens Next

01Richard Bloomfield's next court appearance is scheduled for August 5, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court.

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Cadence

How It Developed

The FCA charged Richard Bloomfield with five counts of alleged insider dealing.
Bloomfield allegedly used confidential information from an acquisition role to trade Seraphine Group shares.
The alleged trading occurred between March 28, 2022, and January 10, 2023.
Bloomfield appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and was released on unconditional bail.
The case has been sent to Southwark Crown Court for a hearing on August 5, 2026.
The FCA confirmed it is not investigating the law firm or Seraphine Group.

Sources

T1
FCA charges City lawyer with insider dealing over maternity brand acquisitionCity AM

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