On June 1, the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) announced that it had censured BDO LLP for failings while acting as a sponsor during the takeover by Shore Capital Group PLC of Puma Brandenburg Limited. This is the FSA's first public censure of a sponsor in relation to the Listing Rules.

In May 2009, BDO was approached by Shore Capital to provide advice as a sponsor on its proposed merger with Puma. BDO was made aware that the transaction might constitute a reverse takeover due to the size of the target company.