High-profile class action specialist Pogust Goodhead has insisted that it enjoys 'forensic independence' from its main financial backer despite this month's management shake-up. It was responding to reports that mining giant BHP, the defendant in the £36bn group claim brought on behalf of victims of the 2015 Mariana dam disaster, is demanding clarification of Gramercy Funds Management's role.

Florida-based Gramercy is understood to have extended its £450m funding for the claim with an additional £48m credit facility this week. Earlier this month, Pogust Goodhead appointed a new board of directors and revealed that founder Tom Goodhead's 75% shares in the firm had been transferred to corporate turnaround specialist Huw Dolphin. 

In a statement today, Alicia Alinia, interim chief executive of Pogust Goodhead, said: 'With a number of landmark cases ahead, it was essential to have the right board in place to protect the integrity of every process and outcome. The appointment of Howard Morris and Joseph Moreno to the board, alongside myself, reflects our determination to set the highest standards of leadership and accountability as we prepare for a pivotal and successful year.

'We’re also delighted to have secured fresh funding from Gramercy, which is a strong vote of confidence in our litigation, our leadership, and our long-term vision. We will not be distracted by those seeking to discredit our fight for justice on behalf of our clients. Crucially, we remain fully independent, with complete control over the strategy and direction of every case.'

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The Financial Times has reported that BHP's legal adviser, magic circle firm Slaughter and May has alleged in a letter to Pogust Goodhead that two of the new directors appear to have links to Gramercy. The firm said: ‘We maintain management and forensic independence from all funders and retain complete control over the strategic and operational direction of our cases.’

Goodhead ‘remains on leave of absence’, the firm said. 

Judgment in the Mariana dam claim is expected to be handed down later this year. A High Court hearing to deal with possible damages is listed for October. 

The most recently-published accounts for PGMBM Ltd, which owns Pogust Goodhead, were filed with Companies House in April this year. They covered the year ended 31 December 2022. Accounts for the 2023 full year were due by September 2024 but are yet to be filed and classed as overdue.