Masterclass
Join Priya Gandhi and Leonie Sheridan of Lewis Silkin LLP as they discuss the significant right to work changes in the UK, and what they mean in practice for the creative industry.
1 October 2026 saw the UK’s illegal working regime undergo its most significant reform in years. Although the changes will impact most businesses, the implications are particularly wide-ranging for the creative industry given the often-complex engagement models. The consequences of a failure to comply are serious: a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker for a repeat breach, potential criminal liability carrying up to five years' imprisonment, and reputational consequences including potential publication as a non-compliant employer.
In this session, Priya and Leonie will look at the immigration and commercial aspects of these changes and cover the practical implications, so you can understand the effects on your business and how to proactively respond.
About the Speakers:
Priya Gandhi, Creative Visas Lead
Priya is a creative at heart, starting life as a classical musician. Now in her 15th year at Lewis Silkin, she is Creative Visas Leads to the firm’s immigration team, supporting productions of all sizes with immigration advice and visa support. Priya specialises in providing legal expertise to production companies and agencies in advertising, fashion, gaming, music, film, TV and theatre. This includes managing Creative Worker sponsorships under Lewis Silkin’s own A-rated sponsor licence or guiding companies with the management of sponsorships under their own licence. It also includes advising on sponsor compliance requirements and conducting internal mock audits to test and report back on compliance standards and required changes. Additionally, Priya works directly with creative workers on their individual applications for Global Talent in the Arts & Culture category, including Film & TV. Priya is recognised by Legal 500 as a name to note for media & entertainment industry clients, and is rated for Creative Worker visa cases.
Leonie Sheridan, Senior Associate
With a background in theatre, Leonie brings real grassroots understanding of the creative economy to her legal expertise. Her work as a commercial lawyer spans the full lifecycle of creative and commercial projects – from advising on talent, production and the IP and regulatory frameworks that shape how content is made and distributed, to negotiating the media buying agreements that underpin its monetisation and supporting catalogue transactions involving the acquisition and further exploitation of rights. She also advises on a wide range of complex commercial transactions including logistics agreements, supply of goods and services arrangements, as well as corporate transactions. Leonie is recognised as a "key lawyer" by Legal 500 for Lewis Silkin in TMT: Media – video games.
