Kelly has spent the last 20 years advising employers on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law. In particular, she helps employers manage difficult employees, defend complex Employment Tribunal claims, undertake redundancy and restructuring exercises, and manage the employment aspects of corporate transactions.

In addition to advisory work, Kelly acts as hearing officer in high-level grievance and disciplinary hearings and undertakes investigations into complex employment disputes. She also provides in-depth training on such things as Equality and Diversity, Performance and Absence Management and TUPE.

Kelly’s work spans across various sectors including healthcare, logistics, leisure, construction, engineering, manufacturing, financial services and energy. Her clients include large corporates/multinationals (FTSE/Fortune 500), local authorities, family-owned businesses and start-ups. She has also undertaken a significant amount of work over the years for a number of high-profile charities.

Kelly has developed a specialism in ecclesiastical law and has over 15 years’ experience working alongside a range of Church of England organisations across the UK on HR and clergy-related matters. She provides advice to Diocesan Secretaries, Heads of HR, Bishops and Archdeacons as well as trustees of Parochial Church Councils. She has also presented at a variety of training days on such things as Safe Recruitment and Managing Clergy.

Kelly is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

  • Kelly has been a superb resource to the Diocese in a number of demanding HR matters in recent years. Her legal clarity, accessible style and significant experience in the complexities of Church of England tenure have made a real difference to the way we now operate.

    Diocesan Bishop

  • Kelly has provided us with consistently excellent advice in navigating the tricky boundaries of employment and ecclesiastical law. She has proved to be a skilled and formidable negotiator on our behalf and has given us great confidence in dealing with some very problematic cases.

    CEO/Diocesan Secretary

  • I feel a great sense of relief and simply don’t know how we would have managed without your calm and wise guidance. Thank you!

    CEO of Company A

  • Kelly Sayers is an expert in sensitive employment matters including senior management grievances and restructuring.

    Chambers UK 2020

  • Kelly’s work is of the highest standard. She is always responsive, on-point and a provider of practical advice in the context of the business we run.

    James Tonks,
    Chief Legal Officer

  • Kelly is very pleasant to work with, pragmatic in her approach, efficient in the advice she gives, punctual in hitting deadlines and I would highly recommend her in the field of employment law.

    Bob Steward ACIOB,
    Joint Divisional Managing Director

  • I chose to work with Kelly for her deep expertise and first rate professionalism, but most importantly her wisdom in dealing with complex issues between people that need wise resolution. I would heartily recommend her work and have done so.

    Stewart McCulloch,
    Chief Executive Officer

     

  • Kelly’s wealth of experience and insight has proved invaluable. She can be relied upon to give clear, concise, contextually appropriate, practical, and professional advice. Her cheerful and approachable disposition makes working with her a joy.

    Hugh McCurdy,
    Former Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech

  • I have worked with Kelly on several occasions and have always found her to be the consummate professional. She is determined and knowledgeable and I found her advice and support invaluable. I would warmly recommend her.

    Dr David Jenkins,
    Archdeacon of Sudbury