Covid-19 employer webinar: what to do this week - 7th May 2020

Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK’s leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses.

Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London.

Elizabeth was educated in the West Indies, Saudi Arabia and Belgium before reading Modern Languages at Durham University.

Crisis and Issues management, Crisis communications and corporate security expert

Mark is Blindside’s Lead Crisis Consultant responsible for ensuring Blindside’s clients are correctly serviced throughout the Crisis and Issues Management cycle from identification and preparation, prevention through planning and training, to response and recovery. Blindside’s crisis management preparedness and response services enable our clients to face situations and events of a challenging nature, throughout the world.

Over the last 24 years, Mark has worked at the forefront of crisis management and crisis communications internationally. Mark has held senior positions with leading consultancies in crisis management with Control Risks, and crisis communications and issues management with Burson-Marsteller.

Fudia Smartt is a Partner at Spencer West LLP. She joined the firm in September 2019, having previously been Partner at a boutique employment practice in Chancery Lane. Her previous work experience includes practising in highly regarded employment teams at both Russell Cooke LLP (a top 100 London firm) and City firm Fox Williams LLP.

Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters.

She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services.

Fudia has significant experience in the following:

Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues;
Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues);
Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals;
Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves;
Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies;
Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency;
Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions;
Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues;
Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost;
Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond;
Advising members on joining LLPs; and
Drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements.
She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal.

Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want.

Fudia is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Designing and delivering bespoke training packages covering all aspects of employment relations and employment law to line managers, HR professionals and employees through facilitative learning methods.
I also have a strong interest in conflict and dispute resolution, communications and finding practical solutions to problems within the workplace.

Samar’s many years of experience include both serving clients directly and responsibility for immigration knowledge an international firm in the City. Her expertise in this notoriously complex and changing field is therefore detailed and practical.
Samar assists companies in setting up in the UK and with day-to-day sponsorship matters. She has a strong track record of helping companies ensure compliance and access the talent they need. She is extremely knowledgeable in right to work matters.
Employers and individuals benefit from Samar’s expertise on EU nationals’ rights. Her training and advice sessions on this and other immigration topics are highly recommended.