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Alison Woods
Partner

Alison Woods

Co-Head of Employment in the UK

Languages
  • English
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Alison is co-head of the CMS UK employment team.  

Alison has an interest in assisting clients through business change, which sees her advising on the employment aspects of business purchases/sales and restructures. She is frequently called on to support sensitive issues at boardroom level, and to support clients in management reorganisations.

As a long-standing board member of the CMS international employment group, Alison has developed deep experience project-managing multi-jurisdiction mandates and working on cross-border issues.

On a day-to-day basis Alison advises clients on their full range of employment needs, from sensitive investigations and issues of discrimination, to defending tribunal claims, and addressing data privacy compliance. With a number of unionised clients, Alison is able to support on all aspects of employee/industrial relations projects, from strategic input through to implementation.  

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Alison is a pleasure to work with. She has the right balance of pragmatism and professionalism."
    Chambers, 2025
  • Quote
    “always ready to assist, and challenge where appropriate”.
    Legal 500

Relevant experience

  • A multinational technology company, as relationship partner for its EMEA employment law service.
  • A global media organisation on its global transformation and restructure, advising on all UK issues and project managing employment legal across all international markets.  
  • An energy company, on its industrial relations issues including management of a recognition application and subsequent recognition agreement, and subsequently in relation to pay negotiations and management of industrial action risk.
  • Ithaca plc on its employment integration and immigration issues following a significant business combination with Eni.
  • A consumer products company on its UK and international employment law needs across multiple markets, including in respect of two restructures.  
  • A media client on a sensitive cross-border complaint of race and religious belief discrimination allegations.

Education

  • 2006 – Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales
  • 2001 – Admitted as a solicitor in Scotland, and Notary Public
  • 2000 - Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
  • 1999 - LLB (Hons), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen

Insights by Alison

Employment Rights Act 2025

17 Feb 2026 2 min read

On your radar | Issue 30

29 Oct 2025 2 min read

FAQ on the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the UK’s gender pay gap reporting regime

25 Sep 2025 14 min read

On your radar | Issue 27

30 Jan 2025 2 min read
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