Overview

Executive appointments and exits can be delicate to navigate. Occasionally the expectations of employee and employer can be mismatched. From navigating complex remuneration packages to restraint of trade issues, we help businesses negotiate tricky executive contracts in all major sectors and for all types of corporate and financial institutions including FTSE 100/250 companies.

We recognise that a swift and successful negotiation will provide our clients with the most beneficial outcome. With our experience of complex executive contracts and working closely with our pensions team, we can advise on and construct sophisticated remuneration and reward arrangements.

We also understand the impact executive exits can have on a business. Our team is known for the quality, sensitivity and commerciality of our advice.

Areas of focus

Our specialist executive appointments and exits lawyers are experienced in the following:

  • Negotiating senior executive severance packages.
  • Management restructuring following executive appointments or exits.
  • Complex executive contract issues including discrimination at work.
  • Advising executive client settlement terms and exit strategies.
Experience

Due to the sensitive nature of our work in this area, some of the examples below have been anonymised.

Regularly advising the boards of major PLCs on the exits of senior executives and dealing with negotiations in relation to those exits.

Advising a major financial institution (holding in excess of £1 billion assets) on the termination of a senior board director, including advice on FCA regulatory implications, treatment of equity related incentives and negotiation of exit terms.

Advising a global fashion brand on the restructure of its senior management team and creative design team, successfully negotiating several senior executive severance packages and enabling a re-structure and re-focus of the design team whilst minimising risk and cost to the business.

Advising a client in the insurance sector on the termination of a long-serving senior executive, including age and disability discrimination issues.

Advising numerous board directors of listed companies on exits from those companies. Also advising partnerships and partners, and LLPs and their members, on exit strategy and settlement terms.

Advising a higher education institution on the exit of a senior operational director following a restructuring in its IT department.

Advising The Royal Horticultural Society on a major management restructure.

Acting for a number of senior officers, within a variety of education institutions, to secure successful exit terms.

Advising Arla Milk Link on directors' service agreements, major restructuring and relocation exercises, TUPE and the employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Advising Mulberry on executive contractual arrangements and remuneration packages, and also on executive and other sensitive severance arrangements.

Meet the team
Headshot of Chris Seaton

Chris Seaton Senior Partner

  • Senior Partner
  • Employment
  • Partnerships
Luke Bowery

Luke Bowery Partner

  • Employment
  • Restructuring and Redundancy
  • Equality, Diversity and Discrimination
Headshot of Adrian Martin

Adrian Martin Partner

  • Head of Employment
  • TUPE: Business Transfers and Outsourcing
  • Restructuring and Redundancy
Headshot of Katie Russell

Katie Russell Partner

  • Employment
  • Financial Services
  • Sport

What others say...

They are an extremely personable team. They enable us to feel secure.

Legal 500 2024

Key contact

Headshot of Chris Seaton

Chris Seaton Senior Partner

  • Senior Partner
  • Employment
  • Partnerships
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