In this follow-up to episode three’s discussion about growth-stage fintechs navigating workforces in a regulated environment, host Joseph Kamyar is joined by Skadden colleagues Helena Derbyshire and Sebastian Barling for a conversation about how fintechs can manage the exits of senior employees and managers.

Helena and Sebastian cover topics including processes for dismissing employees, requirements for dismissals at regulated firms, and legal considerations regarding post-employment restrictions, such as non-competes.

Name: Joseph Kamyar

Title: European Counsel, Corporate at Skadden

Specialty: “Fintech Focus” host and European counsel Joseph Kamyar advises on a wide variety of corporate transactions, including cross-border private mergers and acquisitions, fundraisings, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations and general corporate matters, with a particular focus on the financial services, technology and media sectors.

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Name: Helena Derbyshire

What she does: Helena Derbyshire has over 20 years of experience advising employers and senior executives on a wide range of employment issues, ranging from strategic advice on the labor law aspects of corporate transactions and business reorganizations to the day-to-day employment matters faced by business managers.

Organization: Skadden

Words of wisdom: “Employers shouldn't be too hidebound by the worry about an employee having a protected characteristic, because as long as you've got a genuine reason to be doing what you're doing, you’ve got a defense to a discrimination claim. You need to keep that at the front of your mind. If there's a good reason, it's fine.”

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Sebastian Barling

What he does: Sebastian Barling provides U.K. and EU financial regulatory advice to businesses in the financial services sector.

Organization: Skadden

Words of Wisdom: “It is very important for regulated firms to understand the circumstances around a senior departure, much more so than in the unregulated sector. This is on the basis that regulated firms need to understand whether someone is, broadly, a good or bad leaver … as well as ensuring that the firm complies with its obligations to operate with integrity and due skill care and diligence.”

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