Ellisons strengthens employment team amid demand

In response to growing demand from SMEs and mid-market businesses, Ellisons has strengthened its Employment team by appointing Navraj Rai as a Senior Associate. Navraj, who brings over 15 years of experience in employment law, has a proven record of advising business owners, senior leadership teams, and HR directors on complex workforce issues. Her expertise encompasses areas including redundancies and restructures, TUPE transfers, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims, senior exits, settlement agreements, as well as drafting employment contracts and workplace policies.

Regularly, she provides counsel on the nuances of people risk, employee relations, and compliance. This is particularly crucial as decisions in these areas often have board-level, reputational, or financial ramifications. Additionally, Navraj supports employers through Employment Tribunal proceedings and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Her appointment coincides with a period where many organisations are experiencing mounting pressure due to legislative changes, workforce challenges, and elevated expectations surrounding governance, decision-making, and HR processes. Jonathan Insley, Partner and Head of Employment at Ellisons, remarked, “Employment issues increasingly sit with owners, boards and senior leadership rather than being confined to HR teams. Decisions around restructure, performance management, culture and compliance carry real financial and reputational risk. Navraj’s experience strengthens our ability to support businesses with sound, practical advice at the point those decisions are being made.”

Navraj further emphasised the challenges faced by SMEs and mid-market enterprises, stating, “Many SMEs and mid market businesses are operating under increasing regulatory pressure while also trying to grow and retain their people. Employment issues are rarely straightforward, are often time-sensitive, and the consequences of getting them wrong can be significant. I am looking forward to supporting business owners, leadership teams and HR professionals with advice that is clear, practical and aligned with their commercial priorities.”

Her joining Ellisons forms a part of the firm’s ongoing investment in its employment law capacity, showcasing an increasing demand from regional businesses for specialised guidance on workforce risk, compliance, and governance.