FSP-LAW.COM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor in Our Property Litigation Team Having Trained
Alanis is a Solicitor in our Property Litigation team having trained with the firm. Prior to joining FSP in 2019 Alanis studied Law LLB at Brunel University London and went on to achieve a Distinction in her LPC at the University of Law (Reading).
Alanis advises investors, landlords, homeowners, leaseholders and corporate clients on all contentious matters including recovering possession of properties, claims for disrepair and other disputes regarding lease covenants, service charge disputes, lease extensions and enfranchisement claims, break notices and disputes relating to boundaries, easements and rights of way. Alanis also advises clients on the regulatory requirements relating to residential tenancies.
Job Titles:
- Senior Paralegal
- Solicitors
Alekh joined Field Seymour Parkes in May 2022 and is a Senior Paralegal in the Real Estate team. Alekh previously studied LLB Law at The University of Buckingham followed by the Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1.
"I have worked with Alex for over 10 years. Alex is an experienced and highly knowledgeable lawyer I can rely on and trust. Alex is proactive as well as being our ‘go to' lawyer for good advice. I consider Alex to be part of our team."
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Alistair is a solicitor in our Agriculture and Rural Land team, having joined the firm in November 2020 and qualified in March 2023. Alistair has extensive experience in our residential, commercial, and rural property teams, along with our private client team, which has helped him to develop a wide range of experience in rural matters.
Alistair's agricultural expertise includes advising on sales and acquisitions of rural property, advising on and granting farm business tenancies and leases over commercial units, granting grazing licences, and advising on easements, covenants and other rights and obligations over land. Alistair regularly deals with applications for first registration.
Alistair also assists with strategic land transactions and renewable energy projects, such as solar farms and battery storage facilities, and residential developer projects. In addition, he works in collaboration with the firm's Will Trusts and Estates Team in providing rural property advice when considering individual estate planning and administration matters.
Prior to FSP, Alistair studied for a BA at Durham University, and went on to achieve a Distinction at his LPC at BPP University London. Alistair is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- FSP As a Paralegal
Amelia joined FSP as a Paralegal in the Corporate team and began her corporate focused training contract in September 2022.
Amelia has experience dealing with various organisations ranging from large corporates to start ups, and regularly assists the team with transactional matters such as share and business disposals and reorganisations and various engagements relating to corporate governance. When working on transactions, Amelia is recognised for her diligence and organisational skills and plays a key role from the preliminary stages of opening, maintaining and reviewing online data rooms through to the end of transactions, where Amelia is responsible for the facilitation of the completion process.
In addition to her transactional work, Amelia often deals with matters relating to corporate governance including making requisite filings at Companies House. Amelia communicates with Companies House on all aspects ranging from incorporation right through to filings that occur during the lifecycle of a business. In respect of her company secretarial clients, Amelia arranges for each Company's confirmation statement to be filed annually and provides support in respect of any other company changes such as a change of director.
As part of FSP's company secretarial team Amelia is a key contact for various FSP company secretary clients, of which in addition to the above detailed filings, she deals with any correspondence received and maintains the statutory registers.
Prior to joining FSP Amelia studied LLB Law at the University of Reading and went on to achieve a Distinction in her LPC LLM at the University of Law. Whilst studying Amelia gained valuable work experience in other areas of law.
Anna is a Legal Director in the Real Estate team and has years of experience in dealing with all aspects of property law.
"Anna has been amazing undertaking work at short notice and delivering in rather trying times. We will definitely be using her services again."
Annabel joined FSP in December 2022 as a Solicitor in our Employment team. Prior to joining FSP Annabel studied Politics and French at the University of Exeter before completing a Masters in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in London and more recently completed her training contract at another firm.
During her training contract, Annabel completed four six-month seats in Employment, Real Estate and Development, Corporate and Commercial and Litigation. Annabel has therefore gained a range of litigious and transactional commercial legal experience during her training contract, which she is able to use to assist businesses and individuals with their contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Such matters include employment contracts and staff handbooks, settlement agreements and employment tribunal cases, as well as advising clients on ad-hoc employment issues.
Ben is a Partner in the Wills, Trusts and Estates team.
Ben regularly assists a broad range of private clients with structuring their lifetime affairs, including advising on Will drafting, preparation of lasting powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning and the creation of trusts.
In addition, Ben regularly deals with the administration of both trusts and estates and has particular expertise in the income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax issues arising in the course of such administrations.
Ben joined Field Seymour Parkes in 2011. As well as being a qualified solicitor, he is also a Chartered Tax Adviser and a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Apprentice Solicitor
Bethan joined FSP in September 2020 and is a Graduate Apprentice Solicitor. Before turning to the legal profession, Bethan gained experience of working with individual clients and companies at a senior level as a tax professional. Bethan is in her third seat in the WTE team.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association
Bill has over 30 years' experience of a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes spanning litigation, arbitration and corporate and regulatory investigations. Many of his cases have an international dimension. He specialises in delivering solutions to highly complex problems in an effective and cost efficient way.
Bill joined FSP in 2009, having previously worked in the City where he headed up the London litigation team of a major international law firm.
Bill's work in insolvency has often included actions to recover or trace assets both within the UK and abroad.
Bill is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, the Association of Pension Lawyers and is on the steering committee of the Commercial Litigators Forum.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Member of the Employment Lawyers' Association
Callum is a Solicitor in our Employment and Immigration teams, having joined the firm in July 2020.
On the employment side, Callum assists businesses and individuals with a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters, including settlement agreements, disciplinaries, grievances and employment tribunals. He regularly drafts bespoke documents, including handbooks, policies, service agreements and employment contracts, and provides clients with day-to-day advice on ad hoc employment law matters.
As for immigration, Callum has experience with both business and personal immigration, advising companies and individuals alike. He regularly assists clients with Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility visa applications for their migrant workers, while also helping organisations obtain and manage their sponsor licences.
Callum's cross-specialisation background in both employment and immigration gives him a unique perspective from which to advise clients. His knowledge of employment law and drafting allows him to advise business immigration clients on what clauses to include in their migrant workers' employment contracts. Similarly, his understanding of immigration law and the sponsorship process enables him to advise employers on their options for hiring from overseas, and the associated costs and timescales.
Callum is a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and has primary responsibility for our employment law bulletin. He is also a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, and regularly writes articles for our website, updating clients on the ever-changing landscape of UK immigration law.
Cathrine spent the first 5 years of her career in the City and initially specialised in commercial litigation before moving into commercial contract work.
Cathrine is highly experienced in dealing with many types of business contracts including hardware and software supply and maintenance agreements, distribution and agency agreements, contracts for cloud computing solutions, outsourcing agreements, data licensing agreements and franchise agreements as well as terms and conditions of business for a wide variety of clients.
Cathrine also advises on intellectual property issues for clients in the technology industry and other creative and innovative businesses, dealing with the licensing of patents and other IP as well as overseeing FSP's UK and EU trade mark work.
Cathrine has advised on data protection issues for many years and has substantial expertise in GDPR compliance, not only advising clients but also speaking on the subject at numerous workshops, seminars and webinars and contributing to e-learning programmes.
Cathrine also advises clients in the construction industry and she has been involved in some high-profile construction projects in the Thames Valley and beyond. Cathrine regularly acts for developers, funders, contractors and professional team members, for example preparing and negotiating professional Appointments, Warranties, JCT Contracts and associated documentation.
Charlotte joined Field Seymour Parkes in September 2022 as a Paralegal in the Business Services Team. Charlotte previously studied BSc Sociology with Anthropology at the University of Southampton and went on to study her Masters in Law at the University of Law.
As a Paralegal in the Business Services Team, Charlotte assists in Litigation and Dispute Resolution matters and Immigration matters, as well as providing support to the Employment team. Charlotte assists the Business Services Team with a range of day-to-day tasks such as contract drafting and visa applications.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Member of the Employment Lawyers' Association
David is a Senior Associate in the Employment team, advising both employers and employees on contentious and non-contentious employment matters. David combines a thorough and considered approach to his work with a focus on understanding his clients' ultimate objectives and tailoring his advice to take account of salient personal and commercial pressures.
David has expertise across the full range of day-to-day and ad-hoc employment issues. He routinely advises clients on dealing with difficult individuals in the workplace, navigating tricky redundancy or restructuring exercises, assessing the enforceability of post-termination restrictive covenants and both bringing and defending employment tribunal litigation.
David is skilled in drafting bespoke employment documents, including director service and consultancy agreements, and advises both businesses and high-net worth individuals on negotiating favourable settlement agreements. David also regularly assists the corporate team with employment issues arising on business sales and acquisitions, preparing due diligence reports and advising on appropriate warranties and indemnities (including in insolvency scenarios).
In addition to his client-facing work, David is a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and has written extensively on the latest developments in employment law.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- about Dean Bickford
Dean is a Partner and a senior member of the Real Estate team. He looks after a number of large corporate occupiers, national charities and universities on all aspects of landlord and tenant matters.
Dean has also acted on many strategic land and residential developments, representing landowners, promoters and well known developers. His experience includes working with promoters on a residential scheme for 180 units in the south east. He has recently acquired site for part of a 350 unit development on former MoD land in the Thames Valley.
For a number of years Dean has acted for many funders on secured lending, including high street and private lenders, covering investment and development transactions.
In addition Dean leads the non-contentious work carried out by the commercial property team in insolvencies particularly relating to dealing with lease assignments, licences and other aspects whether for insolvency practitioners or other interested parties.
"I can always rely on Dean Bickford and the property team at FSP for practical, prompt and sound advice and guidance on the varied property situations we ask them to deal with. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to new and old clients."
Edward is undertaking his corporate focused training contract after having joined FSP as a paralegal in the corporate team.
Edward frequently assists with share and asset disposals, reorganisations and management buy outs and has experience acting for both sellers and purchasers. Edward's role in such transactions includes providing vital support during the due diligence process by opening, maintaining and reviewing online data rooms, providing input to replies to enquiries and drafting, reviewing and negotiating ancillary documentation. Edward also facilitates the completion process by organising the signing logistics of all relevant documentation. Edward has been involved in a range of transactions but regularly works on deals relating to the sale or purchase of residential lettings businesses.
Alongside his transactional work Edward handles company secretarial matters, of which involves providing invaluable support to his company secretary clients, maintaining companies' statutory books and communicating with Companies House.
In addition, Edward also assists the insolvency team and is recognised by his ability to adhere to strict timelines for the completion of pre-packaged sales of businesses in administration.
Prior to joining FSP, Edward studied Law (LLB) at the University of Kent, before going on to complete his LPC with combined LLM at the University of Law (Reading) achieving a Distinction.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Apprentice Solicitor
Evangeline joined FSP in July 2021 and is a Graduate Apprentice Solicitor. Prior to joining FSP, they studied LLB Law at the University of York, achieving a 2.1. Evangeline assists the team on a day to day basis, helping with a wide range of tasks, including, compliance, billing and drafting as well as supporting fee-earners in the commercial team with all aspects of commercial and agricultural transactions. Evangeline commenced their SQE at the University of Law as one of FSP's first Graduate Apprentice Solicitor in February 2022. Evangeline is in her third seat in the Family team.
Gaye is an Associate in the Real Estate team having joined the firm in 2017 from international firm CMS and has a broad experience of commercial Real Estate matters.
Gaye handles all aspects of commercial property work, in particular Real Estate acquisitions and disposals, management and disposal of portfolios and landlord and tenant work. She also works closely with our corporate team providing assistance on corporate transactions.
Harriet advises both individuals and a variety of corporate entities from small owner managed businesses to larger corporations throughout the lifecycle of their business, but also when making acquisitions or investments or if and when the time is right to sell/exit the business. Harriet frequently advises on both share and asset disposals, reorganisations, management buy outs and share buybacks.
Matters relating to corporate governance are also extremely important for Harriet's clients and she often advises on arrangements between shareholders or partners ensuring that the corporate vehicle they choose to operate their business through adheres to company law requirements.
Harriet is recognised by her clients for building lasting relationships both with clients and the other professional advisors she works with, which allows her to meet the aims and objectives of her clients whilst also ensuring that the desired deal timetable is achieved.
Harriet worked in the corporate team at FSP for three years before relocating to the Middle East where she worked as a legal consultant at a leading local firm for a couple of years. Harriet returned to Field Seymour Parkes in May 2022.
"I have worked with Harriet on a number of deals and will continue to do so for any future projects. While she is excellent in the detail to ensure we get the best possible deal, she understands what it takes to get things to completion and is brilliant at facilitating agreement between parties. Importantly, she is also able to adopt a broader perspective when needed in order to achieve a win/win for both sides. It is the reason I've continued to work with her."
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Agricultural Law Association
Hazel handles a wide range of rural property and development work, acting for farmers, landowners and landed estates. Hazel advises clients on a full range of agricultural and commercial property matters including acquisitions, disposals, tenancies and the grant of ancillary rights.
Hazel's agricultural expertise includes: sales and acquisitions of land, estates, residential houses, and commercial land, buildings and businesses, including letting of business units, such as converted farm buildings and other diversification projects, along with the registration of land, establishing rights and obligations, advising on such issues as adverse possession and lost deeds, and the granting easements, licences and farm business tenancies.
For strategic land, Hazel specialises in drafting and negotiating option, promotion, and joint venture agreements, acting predominantly for landowners but also for promoters/developers, overage provisions, section 106 agreements and unilateral undertakings, along with dealing with the eventual sale from landowner to developer following the grant of a planning permission.
Hazel also deals with many aspects of renewable energy projects, such as granting commercial leases to wind or solar power developers and/or businesses.
Hazel is a member of the Agricultural Law Association, and is on the committee for the Thames Valley branch of Women in Property and the Berkshire branch of the RABI Charity.
"Hazel has assisted the University on a variety of leases and land sales projects. I have valued her attention for detail whilst balancing that with not losing sight of a deal's prevailing commercial drivers; this balance helps get good results."
"Ian and his team take time to understand our business and their advice mirrors the reality of employment at BMG. This integrated approach allows us to manage and direct our employees with clarity and confidence."
"Ian has given me advice as an IP for over 20 years and his sensible approach all round with his team has proved invaluable over the years."
Imelda is a Legal Director in our employment team and leads our immigration practice. She has over 10 years' experience working in the field of immigration, specialising in business immigration for clients with an international presence as well as advising high net worth individuals and business entrepreneurs on the opportunities to reside in the UK.
Imelda's primary source of instructions over the past 6 years has been in obtaining sponsorship licences for international clients and advising on the most appropriate routes to transfer staff from abroad or employ migrant workers from within the UK.
She advises organisations in the UK and overseas in relation to international staff mobility, whether it's a short-term visit or a longer-term solution. Imelda's wealth of knowledge means she is able to guide employers through the myriad of UK immigration rules to ensure that employers' staff enter and reside in the UK within the immigration rules.
Imelda has successfully conducted appeals through various channels, including the Immigration Tribunal, liaison with UKVI and Members of Parliament and made successful representations to the Home Office.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner Joined FSP As a Trainee