ELA has elected Marian Bloodworth, Employment Partner at Kemp Little LLP, as their new Chair for 2020-22, with the appointment taking effect from 9 September 2020.
Marian has been Deputy Chair of the Association for the last two years, following four years as Chair of Training. She takes over the reins from Juliet Carp, Consultant Solicitor at Keystone Law, who served as ELA’s Chair from 2018-20.
Marian has particular expertise in helping clients in the financial and professional services sector manage their legal risk and is experienced in managing complex and high value litigation, having conducted many multi-strand claims for discrimination and whistleblowing. In 2019 she acted as special advisor to the UK Parliamentary Women and Equalities Select Committee in relation to their inquiry and report into the use of NDAs in discrimination and harassment complaints.
Marian is a Who's Who Legal Recognised Practitioner for Labour and Employment 2020. She also sits on the advisory board of Women in Banking and Finance (https://www.wibf.org.uk/) and is Co-Chair of the City HR Policy Committee (https://cityhr.co.uk/).
The Legal 500 describes Marian as “unflappable” and “an outstanding lawyer with superb judgment and tactical acumen”. The Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession explains Marian is as ‘an "absolutely phenomenal lawyer with a great reputation in the financial services sector’, “personal, knowledgeable and wonderful – a real pleasure to work with” .
Commenting on her new role, Marian says: “Although I am taking over as Chair at a particularly challenging time, given the impact in the workplace of Covid-19, Brexit and general market conditions, I am delighted to be elected as Chair and am very much looking forward to continuing the work that has been done by Juliet and previous Chairs, and to guiding the organisation through the next two years. ELA has a key role to play in supporting the work and interests of its members, and in promoting the best practice of employment law, in accordance with our aims. I am also keen to ensure that ELA plays its part in raising awareness of the on-going need to address issues of diversity and inclusion, particularly in the area of racial equality and I know that a lot of our members are focussing on this too.”
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Notes to Editor
The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) is an apolitical organisation representing the views and interests of just over 6,000 specialist, qualified employment lawyers in the UK. Members are drawn from all branches of the legal profession and include barristers and solicitors who act for employers and employees, trade unions, the voluntary sector, industry and the judiciary.
Since its inception in 1992, ELA has become the voice of authority in employment law. ELA’s uniqueness rests in the depth and wealth of knowledge of its diverse membership, and its neutrality on political issues.
ELA’s fundamental aims are:
- to promote the best practice of employment law; and
- to support the work and represent the interests of UK employment lawyers