Ward Hadaway expands healthcare employment team with two partners

Newcastle-headquartered law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Helen Badger and Gemma Lynch as partners, expanding its healthcare employment team.

Joining from Browne Jacobson, Helen and Gemma bring extensive experience advising NHS trusts, independent healthcare providers and health tech businesses across England and Wales.

Helen specialises in complex employment matters, workforce strategy and high-value litigation, while Gemma advises on employment issues linked to service redesign, organisational change and collaborative healthcare operating models.

Their appointments come as the healthcare sector continues to navigate workforce pressures, workplace risk and evolving models of care delivery.

Helen said: “Healthcare employers are making decisions that can carry legal, operational and reputational risk, often in pressured circumstances.

“That calls for advisers who understand how NHS and independent providers operate and who can take account of the realities of staffing, safety, culture and delivery.

“Joining Ward Hadaway gives me the chance to continue that work within a national employment practice with a strong and growing healthcare specialism.”

Gemma added: “NHS bodies are being asked to work differently, which can create difficult employment questions, particularly where staff, leadership structures and consultation duties span more than one organisation.

“My work focuses on helping employers manage those changes in a way that is not only legally sound but is practical and workable for employers, and I’m looking forward to building on that at Ward Hadaway.”

Helen and Gemma join Ward Hadaway’s specialist employment team, strengthening the firm’s legal support for healthcare organisations across a broad range of employment and regulatory matters.

Harmajinder Hayre, head of employment at Ward Hadaway, added: “The NHS is the country’s largest employer. 

“The workforce challenges facing trusts and providers are significant, and the healthcare sector are seeking pragmatic, solutions-focused and cost-conscious advice.

“These appointments strengthen our ability to support healthcare employers on issues that are often complex, sensitive and closely tied to service delivery.

“Helen and Gemma bring senior expertise in areas where clients need advisers who understand the sector, the pace at which decisions have to be made and the pressures leadership teams are working under.”

Managing partner Steven Petrie added: “Helen and Gemma’s arrival reflects the continued growth of Ward Hadaway and our investment in areas where clients need senior legal expertise.

“Healthcare is an important part of our national practice. 

“These hires broaden our employment law capability for NHS and independent healthcare providers.

“They also support our wider strategy of building specialist teams with the sector knowledge and experience clients need across England and Wales.”

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