Pogust Goodhead Founder Ousted Amid Lavish Spending Allegations and £91m Loss
Tom Goodhead, founder of mass litigation specialist Pogust Goodhead, was ousted as CEO amid tensions with funder Gramercy (which invested $552 million in 2023). An internal DLA Piper investigation alleged “excessive and uncontrolled spending” including private jets, yacht parties, and over £5 million in travel/hospitality in 2023–2024. A £4.2 million “gift” to Goodhead was disclosed. The firm reported a £91 million loss in 2023. Referrals to the SRA and BSB are reportedly pending. The firm leads the BHP Mariana dam case (620,000+ claimants, £36 billion). Sources RollOnFriday: Pogust Goodhead founder accused of 'lavish spending' Law Gazette: Debt soars at troubled class action firm Pogust Goodhead Legal Cheek: The comprehensive school boy who founded Pogust Goodhead
Dieselgate Costs Slashed — Court Calls £208m Claimant Budget ‘Absurd’
In the Pan-NOx Emissions Litigation (13 GLOs, 1.6 million claimants, £6 billion claim), the High Court described claimant solicitors’ costs estimates as “absurd,” “eye-watering,” and “redolent of financial incontinence.” Firms including Leigh Day, Pogust Goodhead, Milberg London, and KP Law submitted a £208 million budget slashed by nearly 75% to £52 million. The court noted claimant counsel was charging £440,000 per week while solicitors charged £1 million per week. Sources Law Gazette: 'Absurd' £208m claimant costs budget slashed by three-quarters Global Legal Post: High Court slashes 'staggering' £343m costs budget
