Chester chosen as base for £35m-turnover WorkNest venture

Gavin Snell

Marlowe, the owner of Chester-based employment law, HR and health & safety specialist Ellis Whittam, has created a new brand to bring together many of the acquisitions within its governance, risk and compliance division.

WorkNest will operate out of Ellis Whittam’s Aldford office in Chester, making it the headquarters for the new £35m brand.

Gavin Snell, Ellis Whittam chief executive, will take on a new leadership role as CEO of WorkNest, with other Ellis Whittam team members taking up senior positions.

Marlowe acquired Ellis Whittam in October 2020, one of several recent acquisitions made by the leader in business-critical services and software.

Ellis Whittam was founded by Mark Ellis in 2004. In 2020 it was recognised as a ‘leading firm’ in the prestigious Legal 500 index, which assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions.

WorkNest comprises more than 400 team members, including in excess of 50 qualified employment law solicitors.

It says it is the leading single source of highly qualified in-person advice and comprehensive digital services, empowering employers to manage all their employment, safety and wellbeing challenges.

WorkNest will operate with hub offices in Aberdeen, Alloa, Bath, Edinburgh, Gateshead, Glasgow, London, Loughborough and Woking and team members around the UK serving clients nationwide. Its combined client base spans more than 40,000 employers across 45 sectors.

Gavin Snell said: “We understand and anticipate the difficulties of managing people and workplaces better than anyone.

“When employers are compliant, confident and risk-aware, and when employees feel safe, supported and encouraged, companies can attract the best people, focus on innovation and drive growth.

“Our name is inspired by how we do business – as WorkNest, we bring together a broad range of services that will help our clients to further protect and nurture their organisations.”

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