Simon Bellm
Partner
Employment
Simon is known for his ability to deliver pragmatic and commercially sound counsel to organisations in the public and private sectors. He specialises in guiding clients through intricate employee relations and structural change matters, as well as offering expertise in TUPE issues. Simon has a thorough understanding of the particular issues affecting public bodies and those that work with them. His clients include Rakuten Marketing, Anabas, Crawley Borough Council, Change, Grow, Live, Shoreham Port Authority, the BRIT School, Chichester College Group, Lancing College, FDM Group, Coast to Capital LEP and Sussex County Cricket Club.
Simon undertakes his own advocacy and is a highly successful advocate in Employment Tribunals throughout the UK and in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Additionally Simon regularly delivers training on all aspects of employment law and speaks at external conferences.
Simon joined the firm in 1986 as a trainee solicitor and qualified as a solicitor in 1988.
Simon works primarily in our Gatwick office but also collaborates closely with colleagues in our other locations.
Work highlights
BRIGHTON CITY COUNCIL CATERING TRANSFER
Advised Brighton City Council in relation to the transfer of its external catering services at locations such as Brighton Dome and Brighton Pavilion. The transfer was a complex multi party arrangement involving a variety of different staff groupings at the different sites. The arrangement was politically contentious with significant trade union involvement. It attracted substantial publicity in the local press.
GENESIS HOUSING ASSOCIATION COURT OF APPEAL CASE
Supported Genesis Housing Association through to the Court of Appeal in a legally significant and widely reported case relating to an employer’s responsibility to investigate allegations of misconduct. Genesis’s decision to dismiss staff accused of fraud was successfully defended through the Tribunal process and then upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Recent videos
Recent videos
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Managing mental health and the effects of long Covid on staff returning to the office
Recent videos
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Developing the right resourcing models: recruitment and retention considerations - session two
Recent videos
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Developing the right resourcing models: recruitment and retention considerations
Recent videos
Recent videos
Recent videos
Recent videos
EMPLOYMENT LAW
How (not) to lose an Employment Tribunal claim - part 2: The early stages of a tribunal claim
Recent videos
Your business - navigating for recovery and reset, ask the experts
Recent videos
Recent videos
Recent videos
Recent articles
Podcasts
In this latest podcast, our employment law experts discuss the practical strategies employers should take to maximise their chances of successfully winning or defending against employment tribunal claims.
31/03/2026
Insights
The recent BBC survey raises fresh questions about the adequacy and the reliability of fit note system whilst employers try to manage sickness absence issues.
16/03/2026
Media spotlight
Simon shares his insights with HR magazine on the importance of having processes in place to help comply with the new Act and avoid claims for unfair dismissal.
Simon Bellm10/02/2026
Media spotlight
Simon Bellm offers his advice to Family Friendly Working on how employers should deal with employees when schools unexpectedly close.
Simon Bellm06/01/2026