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Articles by Jonathan Lord
What's new in UK employment law: From "reasonable" to "all reasonable" steps, a closer look at the strengthened sexual harassment duty for employers
From 30 October 2026, UK employers will be under enhanced obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work when provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA25) change the existing duty to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of employment to a duty to take “all reasonable steps”.
Reed Smith advises Isio on acquisition of Trafalgar House Pensions Administration
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The acquisition brings together two established pensions administration businesses and strengthens Isio’s administration offering, expanding the range of pension schemes it can support. The transaction forms part of Isio’s long-term growth strategy and continued investment across its pensions, employee benefits, and wealth and investment management businesses. THPA has a strong reputation for service delivery and long-standing client relationships.
By Andrew Houghton Verified, Roxana Burghel, Anna Plenderleith, Caspar Fox, Thomas Baxter, David Ashmore, Jonathan Lord, Nick Williams Verified, Philip Thomas, WillIam Sutton, William Sutton
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Reed Smith advises Wind Point Partners on acquisition of Forthglade
The acquisition marks another significant milestone in Wind Point's strategy of building Assisi into a leading European premium natural pet care platform. Forthglade, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Okehampton, Devon, is one of the UK's leading premium natural pet food brands, with a strong presence across grocery, specialist retail and e-commerce channels.
Flexible working and talent: What businesses need to know
For many employees, flexibility in when, where and how they work now ranks alongside pay and job security as a deciding factor when choosing an employer. For small and medium-sized businesses competing for talent against larger organisations, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Reed Smith advises GlobalData Plc on move to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
On admission to the Main Market, GlobalData’s market capitalisation was approximately £600 million ($807 million). The company is expected to enter the FTSE 250 when the index is next updated in June. Reed Smith has advised GlobalData since 2018 and has supported the company across a number of strategic transactions as part of its growth strategy. This includes advising on multiple acquisitions as well as capital markets matters, including last year’s competing offers from KKR and ICG.
Reed Smith M&A team advises investment group owned by Peter Jones on acquisition of American Golf
5 February 2026 / 1 min read LONDON – Global law firm Reed Smith represented Peter Jones and his investment group in the acquisition of American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer, from private equity investors Endless LLP, which acquired the business in 2018. American Golf is the UK and Ireland’s leading specialist golf retailer. Reed Smith’s team was led by corporate partner Daryl Cue, counsel James Hatchard, and associate Alex Pierce.
Navigating the new industrial landscape: what upcoming UK strikes mean for business
The volume of days lost to strikes has fallen from the extraordinary highs of 2022–23 where 3.54 million working days were lost to strikes, but action is more targeted, more strategic and increasingly shaped by new labour laws. For leaders, the next few months will be less about “will strikes happen?” and more about “where, and how exposed are we?”. Where are strikes happening now? The most visible dispute remains in the NHS.
How UK universities are failing mothers on their staff Original
Women in the UK face a “motherhood penalty” in the workplace when they have a child. New figures from the Office of National Statistics show that mothers in England lose, on average, more than £65,000 in earnings across the five years after a first child. This gap is driven by reduced hours, stalled progression and job moves to fit around caring for a child. These dynamics are acute in higher education.
Job hugging: the new quiet reality in the labour market
But with shifting economic currents, many employees are now embracing its opposite, ‘job hugging’ – holding tight to existing roles even when dissatisfied, unfulfilled or seeing minimal growth. For business leaders, this shift has implications as profound as the ‘Great Resignation’ once did. What is job hugging?
The Main Points in the Leaked Plan for Gaza
The Washington Post has published a document outlining a post-war plan for Gaza that is reportedly circulating in the White House. It's not clear if the plan reflects Trump’s policy.
The Employment Rights Bill Roadmap: what UK businesses need to know
For businesses across all sectors, it presents both significant challenges and valuable opportunities. The roadmap, released in July 2025, outlines a multi-phase reform strategy stretching through to 2027 and beyond. These reforms embrace almost every aspect of employment, from dismissal rights and union representation to sick pay and flexible working.
Understanding the Fair Work Agency: what UK employers and businesses need to know
This article outlines the agency’s anticipated remit, explores what it means for employers and businesses, and provides guidance on how organisations can best prepare to work constructively with the new body. What Is the Fair Work Agency? The Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a central component of the UK Labour Party’s proposed reforms to employment law and worker protections, set out in the Employment Rights Bill.
Abortion law reform in the UK
Jonathan Lord, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist1, Nicola Packer, patient representative, Tonia Antoniazzi, member of parliament3, Janet Barter, president, Lesley Regan, chair5 1Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Treliske, Truro, UK 2Patient representative, London, UK 3House of Commons, London, UK 4Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, London, UK 5Wellbeing of Women, London, UK Decriminalisation needed to protect women from persecution Correspondence to: J Lord...
The WhatsApp messages that could get you sacked
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Your WhatsApp messages could get you sacked
It’s late evening and your phone vibrates with some banter from colleagues. You join the conversation and go to bed feeling part of the work community. You then wake up and have a feeling of apprehension as to how the messages will be perceived. WhatsApp might have started as a casual messaging app for friends, but it has now firmly become embedded in workplace communication – and increasingly in workplace conflicts, too.
The Supreme Court’s gender ruling has implications for the workplace. Here’s what employees can expect
By Jonathan Lord, Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Employment Law, University of Salford In April 2025, the UK’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers, offering long-awaited clarification on how “sex” should be interpreted under the Equality Act 2010. The court ruled that, for the purposes of this legislation, “woman” refers to biological sex, not gender identity.
The Supreme Court’s gender ruling has implications for the workplace. Here’s what employees can expect Original
In April 2025, the UK’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers, offering long-awaited clarification on how “sex” should be interpreted under the Equality Act 2010. The court ruled that, for the purposes of this legislation, “woman” refers to biological sex, not gender identity. The decision sparked intense debate across political, legal, and social spheres.
Employing people with ADHD: unlocking untapped potential in the workplace
In today’s evolving workplace, diversity is not just about gender, race or age, it’s also about other protected characteristics, including neurodiversity. One increasingly recognised yet often misunderstood neurodivergent group is people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Traditionally viewed through a deficit-based lens, ADHD is now being reframed to include the potential strengths it can offer in a professional context.
The case of Nicola Packer tells us this: Britain is shamed by its abortion laws – and must change them | Jonathan Lord - Business And America
As Nicola Packer lay down in shock having just delivered a foetus at home, she had no idea that her life was about to be torn apart. She had suffered a rare complication in her abortion treatment, but what followed would be far more traumatic and unexpected. Every agency she needed turned against her, treating her not as a victim but as a criminal. Compassion was replaced by cruelty.
Iraq and Türkiye Ink Defence Deals As They Vow To Pressure Israel on Gaza
From humanitarian co-operation in Gaza to stabilising northern Syria and managing shared water resources, both nations are expanding their regional footprint. Then there's the billion-dollar bet: the Development Road Project, a transport corridor linking the Gulf to Europe through Turkiye. Iraq's Prime Minister says it's among the region's most important projects. But are some countries looking to challenge it?
The use of WhatsApp messages in UK employment tribunals: evidence, ethics and evolving norms
In recent years, WhatsApp and similar messaging platforms have become ubiquitous in personal and professional communication. In the UK, employment tribunals are increasingly encountering WhatsApp messages as key forms of evidence. These messages, often informal, immediate and seemingly short-lived, can carry significant weight in determining claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment.
U.S. Airstrikes Alone Can’t Dislodge the Houthis
Almost 18 months after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the Middle East looks decidedly different. The Assad regime, which ruled Syria brutally for more than five decades, is no more. The senior leadership of Hezbollah and Hamas, including operational commanders, has been decimated.
Four day working week: a new era of work or a utopian dream?
In recent years, the concept of a four-day work week has gained significant traction, with businesses and policymakers debating its feasibility, benefits, and challenges. As the UK witnesses growing adoption of this model among businesses, the question remains: is the four-day work week the future of employment, or is it an idealistic vision that only suits select industries?
The Key to Ukraine’s Survival
The United States’ sudden, although ultimately temporary, suspension of all security assistance to Ukraine in early March raised alarms about Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. A lasting suspension of the aid would certainly have changed the course of the war. But even a complete stop to U.S. assistance would not have reversed the progress that Ukrainians have made over the past three years.
Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal
Argument An expert’s point of view on a current event. Foreign & Public Diplomacy Science and Technology Russia Iran This month, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to mediate a new nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran after reportedly being asked to by U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call in February.
Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal
This month, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to mediate a new nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran after reportedly being asked to by U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call in February. In a meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly followed up on the president’s request in speaking with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Trump has made clear he wants a new deal with Iran.
Is working from home here to stay?
Working from home (WFH) in the UK has become a significant trend, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption. The pandemic resulted in the number of people working from home in the UK more than doubling between December 2019 and March 2022 from 4.7 million to 9.9 million.
Sharper: Iran and the Axis of Upheaval
Features First 100 Days | Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat Eight years after President Trump pulled the United States out of the JCPOA, Iran now stands at the precipice of becoming a nuclear state. Time is of the essence to prevent Iran from becoming the world’s 10th nuclear power.
Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat
In its first 100 days, the Trump administration should convene the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany—the E3—to coordinate a strategy for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, including a possible negotiated settlement. Iran is closer than ever to having the capability to produce a nuclear weapon; the Trump administration should ensure that the regime does not make the decision to pursue it.
Employment law 2024: A year of impactful changes
2024 marked a pivotal period of legal reform, bringing notable changes in areas such as holidays, family-related leave, new regulations on tips, and measures to address sexual harassment. Additionally, it introduced several new statutory Codes of Practice which have laid the foundations for future changes around employment relations in the UK. On 10 October 2024, the UK government introduced the Employment Rights Bill, which introduced significant reforms aimed at enhancing worker protections.
U.S. Hit Targets in Syria With Ferocity, Not the Only One
The US military has carried out extensive airstrikes in Syria since the Assad regime collapsed over the weekend, and it's not the only country on the hunt for targets in this uncertain moment. American, Israeli, and Turkish forces have all been involved in bombing targets across Syria over the past few days in actions said to be in support of their respective national security interests. ...
Assad's Collapse in Syria Offers Washington Chance to Change Course
An anti-government fighter steps on the head of a statue of late Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad in the Damascus district of Kafr Sousa on Dec. 9. Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images By the time you read this, the Syrian civil war might be over. The 13-year conflict, stuck in a bloody stalemate for the last three years, caught fire last week.
Washington Needs a New Syria Policy Right Now
By the time you read this, the Syrian civil war might be over. The 13-year conflict, stuck in a bloody stalemate for the last three years, caught fire last week. What began as a small offensive push by opposition force Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) became a rout as the regime’s remaining forces collapsed and ended with the opposition marching through Damascus and Bashar al-Assad fleeing the country his family brutally ruled for more than five decades.
Workers’ protection or business burden? The UK Employment Rights Bill
On 10 October 2024, the UK government unveiled the Employment Rights Bill, which introduced significant reforms aimed at enhancing worker protections. The government has positioned this legislation as a ‘pro-business, pro-worker’ initiative with some of the key changes including: Employees will have the right to unfair dismissal protection from their first day of employment, eliminating the current two-year qualifying period.
“The Ayatollah Has No Clothes” - with Rich Goldberg and Richard Fontaine
Richard Fontaine is CEO of the Center for American Security, joins Call Me Back to assess the threat FROM Iran and the threat TO Iran. Listen to the full episode on Call Me Back. Podcast October 24, 2024 Lost Decade - The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power with Richard Fontaine Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, joins Coffee & Conflict to discuss his book The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power. He dives int...
How Israel Tries to Destroy Hezbollah’s Financial Network
On Sunday, Israel carried out air strikes in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon, targeting branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association (AQAH), a financial institution and de facto bank linked to Hezbollah. On Monday, Israel Defences Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari made a number of claims regarding the financing of Hezbollah and the reason for the strikes in a video message posted online.
How to navigate the increase in whistleblowing
Whistleblowing in the UK is governed primarily by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA). This law provides protection to workers who “blow the whistle” on wrongdoing within their organisation.
The New U.S. Strategy on the Lebanon Conflict: Let It Play Out
After weeks of intensive diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants, the United States has settled on an altogether different approach: let the unfolding conflict in Lebanon play out. Just two weeks ago, the United States and France were demanding an immediate 21-day ceasefire to ward off an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. That effort was derailed by Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Syed Hassan Nasrallah, the Oct.
Russia in the Middle East with Jonathan Lord and Hanna Notte
One year after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the crisis in the Middle East has grown more and more complex. With the region teetering on the brink of broader conflict, the Biden administration is facing increasing pressure to mediate and prevent an all-out war. Meanwhile, regional dynamics are becoming more intertwined with broader geopolitics, as highlighted by Israel’s recent strike near a Russian air base in Syria.
Israel Seeks to Reshape Middle East, with Force and U.S. Backing
One year after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, Israel is reshaping the Middle East by force, taking the fight to Iran and its proxies with the help of the United States — despite pleas from the Biden administration for diplomacy. While President Biden is warning Israel against a major attack on Iran in retaliation for a missile barrage last week, Israel’s ambassador to the United States is warning “a long and arduous path” lies ahead. ...
A Year of Anguish for the Hostages in Gaza-and Their Families
365 days. 101 hostages still held in Gaza. The masking tape on the shirts of hostage families, reflecting how many days this conflict continues, serves as a painful hourglass of the last year and an angry reminder of the heinous actions of Hamas on October 7. Concomitantly, Jews in America over the last twelve months have experienced spasms of violence, intimidation, and outright hatred unseen in decades.
Ground Offensive Preceded by Year of Secret Raids in Lebanon, Israel Says
Disclosing the raids as it begins the ground incursion allows Israel to highlight Hezbollah’s buildup of offensive infrastructure for an Oct. 7-style attack, said Jonathan Lord, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Security program at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank.
Biden Urges Israel Not to Attack Iran Nuclear Sites
Rachel Ziemba joins Bloomberg Television to discuss oil rising for a third day as traders watch for supply risks in the Middle East. Watch the full episode from Bloomberg Television. Commentary Foreign Affairs April 23, 2024 The Axis of Upheaval The West has been too quick to dismiss the coordination among China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia....
What Might Come Next for Israel - and the U.S. - in Wake of Iranian Attack
After Iran rained ballistic missiles on Israel on Tuesday for the second time in sixth months, the focus now turns to the question of what comes next: how Israel will respond, and what role Washington will play in supporting — or tempering — Israel’s actions. Several Middle East security experts told Jewish Insider that Israel has an obligation to respond forcefully, and that the U.S. should support Israel’s actions countering Iran.
‘The king doesn’t lie down to save the pawn’: Why Iran may let Hezbollah face Israel alone
Hezbollah has been propped up by Iran all these years to be a threat on Israel’s border that Tehran can activate in case of open conflict between Israel and Iran, according to the experts. But that relationship is not a two-way street, according to Jonathan Lord, a regional expert with the Center for a New American Security. “Hezbollah exists to protect Iran, not the other way around,” Lord told Breaking Defense. “The king doesn’t lie down to save the pawn.” ...
Middle East Braces for Iran’s Next Move After Israel’s Killing of Hezbollah Leadership
Source: Bloomberg Journalist: Peter Martin Since its involvement in Syria in 2012 to defend Bashar al-Assad’s regime alongside other Iran-backed militias, Hezbollah has built bases and an elaborate network of tunnels in areas in Syria close to the Lebanese border. Many Hezbollah field commanders have also been fleeing to Syria from Lebanon with their families, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The Year of Mourning: Considerations for U.S. Middle East Policy Twelve Months After October 7
I. Introductory Remarks Chairman Burchett, Ranking Member Phillips, distinguished members of the subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. This is the second opportunity I have had to come before this august body as an expert witness, and it is my honor to do so, especially alongside such esteemed colleagues. First, allow me to express my best wishes to Chairman Wilson. My thoughts are with him and his family, and I pray he has a full and speedy recovery.
How to navigate employee wage demands
The latest government data from August 2024 shows that the average weekly wage in the UK, including bonuses, across all sectors in England and Wales, is £690 gross, which translates to an annual pre-tax salary of £35,880. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reported that wage growth slowed to 5.4% over the three months leading up to the end of July 2024 (excluding bonuses). Despite this slowdown, wage growth continues to outpace the current inflation rate.
Opinion: Bangladesh's civil service is plagued by corruption-the country can't get back on its feet without major reform
A quota system to reserve jobs in the civil service for specific groups, including descendants of war veterans, became the Achilles heel of Bangladesh's authoritarian prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Weeks of unrest, which started as student-led protests against the quotas, ultimately forced her to resign and flee the country. Hasina's government caused considerable chaos over its 15 years in power, so the country's interim leaders have much work to do.
Bangladesh’s civil service is plagued by corruption - the country can’t get back on its feet without major reform Original
A quota system to reserve jobs in the civil service for specific groups, including descendants of war veterans, became the achilles heel of Bangladesh’s authoritarian prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Weeks of unrest, which started as student-led protests against the quotas, ultimately forced her to resign and flee the country. Hasina’s government caused considerable chaos over its 15 years in power, so the country’s interim leaders have much work to do.
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