Event Information

Alison Unsted is the CEO of MindForward Alliance, a leading global not-for-profit membership organisation transforming workplace culture into one that supports the mental health of its employees. Alison’s role is instrumental in setting the standards for workplace mental health globally, through leadership of MindForward Alliance’s Thriving at Work programmes.

Alison has over 25 years’ experience gained in both operational and specialist global HR leadership roles across professional services, retail and STEM industries working for employers such as law firm Hogan Lovells, the John Lewis Partnership and BAE Systems plc. She is a subject matter expert in the field of diversity, inclusion, and workplace wellbeing.

Alison has two children and a dog which keeps her busy outside of her work. Alison enjoys Pilates, walking the dog, tennis and reading.

Sue is a partner within our charities and social economy team at Wrigleys

Sue advises charities and other not for profit, voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises on all aspects of employment law including strategic issues involving TUPE and restructuring.

Sue has experience of advising on severance packages and on senior executive service agreements. She also represents employers throughout the Employment Tribunal process.

She manages Wrigleys HR Response, our telephone and email employment law helpline for charities including academies and independent schools.

Alacoque is a partner in our charities and social economy team.

Alacoque specialises in working with third sector and education sector clients on all aspects of employment law. She advises on complex employee relations issues, employment status, policies and procedures, employment contracts, settlement agreements and the defence of tribunal claims, including holiday pay, discrimination, whistle-blowing and trade union related claims. Alacoque also advises on redundancy and restructure projects and on TUPE transfers, including the requirements of collective consultation.

She has a particular interest in equality law and has considerable experience of the realities of managing staff and resources within the education and public sectors.

Alacoque edits Wrigleys’ monthly Employment Law Bulletin and regularly speaks on employment law and HR topics.

Michael is an associate within our charities and social economy team at Wrigleys Solicitors LLP.

Michael has experience working with employer clients across the charity, third, education and private sectors on a variety of employment matters from boardroom disputes and senior terminations to advising on the employment aspects of mergers and restructures and helping clients navigate employment tribunal claims and internal investigations.

Michael has experience helping organisations to grow by advising on draft contracts as well as assisting with the development of robust internal policies and procedures and also has experience advising clients on how to deal with Data Subject Access Requests.

A regular speaker at Wrigleys’ Employment Law Brunch Briefings, Michael aims to orientate listeners so that they can navigate complex topics, with a focus on helping to identify problem areas and the key issues so that appropriate advice can be taken at the right time.

Guest speaker

Ibrahim Hasan is a solicitor and director of Act Now Training Limited which he founded 20 years ago. Ibrahim is recognised as a leading authority on information rights law. He writes a regular column for the Law Society Gazette and is the editor of the UK GDPR Handbook. Ibrahim is often called upon by the media to provide comment and analysis on news items. He has also taught information rights law at postgraduate level and presented papers at conferences around the world.

As the course director for Act Now Training, Ibrahim is responsible for creating innovative curricula, through designing certificate programmes, that have helped a global audience of practitioners develop their competencies and understanding of information rights law.

Maryam Razzaq and Rukhsar Jahangir are the founders of Legal Lynk

Maryam is currently a Trainee Solicitor and Rukhsar is as an Advocate for a charity and is studying the Barrister Training Course at Leeds. Maryam and Rukhsar faced many struggles during their legal journeys that inspired and motivated them to create a change. Maryam and Rukhsar both come from a background of no legal connections and the first in their families to attend university. Both grappled with where to begin their research and gain access to opportunities necessary to excel in a career in law. Maryam is a first generation immigrant and found quite early on being the first person in her family to study law posed a unique challenge. When Rukhsar’s achievements of winning a Supreme Court Moot Competition and success in securing a scholarship from the Honourable Society of Middle Temple for the Barrister Training Course were published in the media many reached out regarding their barriers and struggles faced to pursue a successful career in law. This inspired Rukhsar to actively make a change and contribute to removing the barriers expressed.

The Legal Lynk are dedicated to promoting equality and empowerment within the legal world. Their focus is on creating opportunities for women in law, particularly those from a minority background. They facilitate networking events, educational sessions, socials, and offer guidance to those just starting out on their legal journeys. They do this because these initiatives break down barriers, and they firmly believe that they will not only transform individual lives but entire communities. The Legal Lynk is on a mission to empower women through legal networking and legal opportunities. They actively contribute to breaking societal and cultural barriers in the legal realm, creating a supportive ecosystem for women's growth and success. By doing so, they believe they are not just influencing individual careers but actively shaping the future of the legal profession.

Alice received her PhD in Criminology and Law from the University of Sheffield in July 2021. She also holds a first-class degree in Counselling, Coaching and Mentoring and an MSc Psychology degree. Throughout her studies, Alice continued to gain experience in the criminal justice field and the neurodiversity sector. She has worked with North and West Yorkshire Police, and the Independent Office of Police Conduct. She also lectured at the University of Sheffield and York St John University, where she worked primarily with neurodivergent students.

Alice now works at Creased Puddle as a Specialist Neurodiversity Consultant, continuing her personal and professional passion for neurodiversity, delivering training and consultancy to a wide range of businesses and organisations.

Ayesha works as a Membership and Partnerships Manager at Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse. The role involves supporting EIDA Members, including Strategic Partner Members and Beacon Members, to take effective action on domestic abuse. She develops partnerships with the domestic abuse sector, and manages EIDA’s Ambassador programme to ensure the survivor voice is at the heart of the organisation.

Ayesha previously worked within the City of London where she coordinated and delivered the City of London’s strategic response to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, alongside her role as the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.