Settlement agreements for senior executives are a different animal. The sums are larger, the contracts are more complex, and the stakes, both financial and reputational, are far higher. If you hold a senior role in London, from City firms to Canary Wharf, your agreement deserves specialist attention.
More Moving Parts, More At Stake
An executive package rarely stops at salary and notice. Bonuses, deferred compensation, share options, LTIPs, carried interest and pension arrangements can dwarf the headline compensation figure. Each has its own rules on what happens at termination, and each is negotiable.
Leaver status is often the single biggest issue. Whether you are treated as a good leaver or a bad leaver can determine whether valuable share awards vest or vanish. This should never be left ambiguous in the agreement.
Regulatory considerations can also come into play. If you work in a regulated sector, regulatory references and disclosure obligations need careful handling within the agreement, as the standard confidentiality wording will not be enough on its own.
Restrictive Covenants And Your Next Role
Non-compete, non-solicitation and non-dealing clauses can seriously limit your options after departure. As part of a settlement, these can often be narrowed, shortened or removed entirely. Equally, garden leave arrangements and the timing of your termination date can be negotiated to protect bonus eligibility and vesting dates.
Directors and officers should also consider resignation from board positions, ongoing insurance cover and indemnities, all of which belong in a properly drafted executive agreement.
Reputation And Discretion
At senior level, how your exit is communicated matters enormously. We negotiate agreed announcements, references and confidentiality terms that protect your standing in your industry, handled with complete discretion throughout.
Experience That Matches The Stakes
Yes, we deal with senior executives, and we do so regularly. Led by a solicitor with more than 35 years of employment law experience, we have advised on over 1,000 settlement agreements and understand London’s market at every level. Same day reviews, no hidden fees, and your employer pays all costs. Request a confidential review of your agreement today.
