FEATURE
WBD ' s Teesside practice, located in the Wilton Centre and led by Peter Snaith and Sarah Daun, includes a team of dedicated business immigration specialists.
WBD ' s longstanding presence on Teesside reflects its commitment to the region ' s development aspirations. With unrivalled local expertise and regulatory knowledge, WBD helps businesses navigate all aspects of inward investment projects, including immigration challenges and unlocking access to a global workforce.
WBD ' s business immigration services have the added benefit of international reach for specialist cross-jurisdiction or international advice.
Whether investing in the UK, enabling remote work from other jurisdictions or expanding overseas, our business immigration team draws on WBD ' s network of 37 offices across the UK and US, and our membership of Lex Mundi – a leading international network of independent law firms – connects us to more than 120 countries.
This global reach means WBD can support cross-border hiring, expansion plans and investor relations with confidence and speed.
A common misconception is that immigration is only relevant for businesses
Established – The firm has a longstanding Teesside presence, combining local expertise and regulatory knowledge.
that have sponsored migrant workers within their employee population. In fact, all UK employers – even those without a sponsor licence – are obliged to safeguard immigration control by conducting mandatory checks before an employee begins employment to ensure they have the necessary right to work.
Failure to perform these checks in line with Home Office guidance can lead to severe consequences, including personal liability for those in senior positions, civil penalties ranging from £ 45,000 to £ 60,000 per illegal worker, criminal sanctions and potential listing on a public register of civil penalties, which can cause reputational damage and deter investors.
WBD ' s guidance allows businesses in the region to avoid costly penalties and reputational damage by ensuring full compliance from day one.
Indeed, when it comes to workplace setup in the region, it is vital that employers are fully compliant, not only from an immigration perspective but also within the broader scope of UK employment law.
Recognising the pressures businesses face when establishing new facilities or starting anew, strategic workforce planning is essential in order to deliver operations in accordance with timescales.
The urgency to do so comes with its own risks, making it imperative to manage these risks effectively from day one to avoid workforce-related issues that could derail progress, such as labour shortages and industrial relations issues with trade unions.
Indeed, trade union rights and recognition is another area where changes are in the pipeline under the employment rights bill.
WBD ' s employment specialists in the region, led by partner Hilary du Randt, are adept at navigating new and existing businesses through these challenges.
Our team of business immigration lawyers is integrated within a broader national employment team and therefore uniquely positioned to identify potential issues holistically before they escalate, leading to fewer surprises, faster resolution and a smoother path to operational success.
This integrated approach ensures that businesses on Teesside and inward investors can navigate the complexities of immigration and employment seamlessly, contributing to their overall success.
As businesses on Teesside and international investors looking at the region prepare for potential changes, such as those proposed in the UK government ' s immigration white paper, it is crucial to anticipate how these changes might impact the labour market.
Strategies should be developed to ensure resilience against potential disruptions, including the reduction of sponsorable roles. No sector is unaffected and planning is key for all.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to immigration. Every business must tailor its immigration strategy to its unique circumstances, ensuring a robust and adaptable workforce ready to meet future challenges.
If you ' re planning to invest, expand or hire on Teesside, speak to WBD. We ' ll help you unlock the region ' s full potential – securely, strategically and successfully.
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