Lak Purewal
I have over 30 years of HR experience, including ten years at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) as HR Director for Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA). In the last two years at NRF, I helped to establish the Partner Development function and provided strategic and operational support to the NRF partners across EMEA.
I also serve as a Lay Judge in the Employment Tribunals and contribute to the Risk and Audit Committee of a charity. Having concluded my successful tenure at Norton Rose Fulbright in August 2023, I have embarked on a new venture setting up my own consultancy – Pure HR & Mediation – which is dedicated to supporting organisations and their senior executives in finding solutions to their people challenges. I am an experienced and trained Mediator and am accredited with the International Mediation Institute. I am also a trained mental health first-aider.
I have experience of all aspects of People & Development and have particular expertise in:
- Leading a People & Development team – I worked for several years leading a team of over 60 people professionals across EMEA ensuring a high level of operational and strategic HR advice and service to the business and various stakeholders.
- Resolving workplace disputes – extensive experience of employee relations at all levels including C suite/Partner level. Strong understanding of UK employment law and a good appreciation of the employment law landscape in many other counties across Europe, Middle East and Asia. I have managed the HR implications of several mergers as well as having extensive experience of restructuring programmes.
- Mediation skills – I have successfully resolved many complex workplace issues using my mediation skills which have helped to improve relationships and resolve disputes before issues escalate. I am also experienced in dealing with end of employment disputes and helping to find a successful outcome.
- A focus on Partners – extenstive experience of working with law firm partners covering the whole partner lifecycle including recruitment & selection, internal promotions to partnership, onboarding, integration, career development, performance improvement, health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, resolving disputes, coaching and managing career transitions.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) – developing strategies to embed ED&I into workplaces and improve representation of minority groups to support strategic commercial objectives.
- Coaching and mentoring – supporting people (e.g. Partners, HR professionals, divisional leads) who are in career transition or in growth mode to think about next steps and future career plans.
