Mike Hibberd

With over a decade’s experience, Mike works with a wide range of employers, including those in hospitality, construction, legal services, financial services, healthcare and leisure, as well as senior executives and professionals navigating complex workplace and regulatory issues. Mike supports HR teams, in‑house legal counsel and business leaders through disputes, organisational change and compliance challenges, offering clear, commercially focused guidance that reflects the operational pressures his clients face. His experience acting for both employers and individuals provides valuable insight into opposing strategies, helping clients manage risk effectively and make confident, well‑informed decisions.

Mike’s specialisms include defending high‑value Employment Tribunal claims involving discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, and employment status. He regularly advises on early‑stage case strategy in ACAS Early Conciliation and has secured numerous settlements shaped around clients’ commercial and practical needs, including where claimants remain employed during proceedings. Mike’s litigation experience includes successfully defending clients at final hearings and obtaining cost awards for his clients.

Mike’s data protection expertise spans advising on UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 compliance, managing data breaches, drafting data processing and data sharing agreements, developing UK GDPR frameworks and delivering tailored training to embed strong privacy cultures across organisations. He also guides clients through ICO engagement, drafts and reviews Data Protection Impact Assessments, and advises on Data Subject Access Requests. Additionally, Mike provides ongoing HR support on disciplinaries, capability and ill‑health matters, grievances and performance management.

Mike is highly experienced in leading sensitive workplace investigations. Experience includes matters involving alleged breaches of FCA regulatory duties in the financial sector, compliance failures in the charity sector and senior‑level bullying and harassment allegations in global organisations.

He is recognised as ‘Up and Coming’ in the 2026 Chambers and Partners guide for Employment in the Thames Valley, reflecting his strong technical expertise, practical insight and the trusted support he provides to clients navigating high‑stakes employment and data privacy challenges.