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Virginia Allen

Virginia is a shareholder and head of the UK Employment Practice with almost 20 years’ experience in helping employers to strategically manage and optimise their workforces. She offers support at every stage of the employment lifecycle, advising on the full spectrum of matters from day-to-day advisory work to complex transactions and high-stakes disputes.

Virginia is highly skilled at guiding clients through significant and often multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes. She frequently handles contentious matters such as claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and whistle-blowing, as well as High Court employee competition disputes. In addition, she provides practical UK employment advice across a broad range of issues, including recruitment, performance management, disciplinary and grievance processes, and exits. She regularly counsels multinational companies on global projects such as business transformations, cross-border workforce structures, and complex and sensitive employee investigations. Virginia also acts for senior executives in relation to a variety of matters, including disputes, employee competition matters, and negotiated exits.

Virginia is recognised in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, which says she “goes above and beyond to understand and meet her clients' expectations, tailoring her services to provide personalised and effective solutions”.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is expanding the reach of its Code of Conduct (COCON) for non-bank firms and consulting on new guidance related to non-financial misconduct, with changes taking effect from September 2026 that will align requirements more closely with those already applicable to banks.

Continue Reading UK FCA Expands the Reach of COCON and Consults on Non-Financial Misconduct