Navigating UK Immigration for Founders
This session will provide an Immigration State of the Union style update for the LSE Generate community. We will cover recent changes to UK immigration policy, explain how these developments may affect students, alumni and early stage founders, and outline what international students can expect in the months ahead.
The presentation is designed to help participants understand the current immigration landscape, identify potential risks and opportunities, and feel more confident navigating their options while studying at LSE or building a venture in the UK.
EIG is a leading corporate immigration law firm, providing comprehensive business immigration, global migration, and compliance solutions that enable companies to hire the best and brightest talent worldwide. EIG has over 35 years of experience delivering its signature 'Perfect Plus' service — a dedicated legal team offering remarkable results, clear communication, innovative technology systems, and the highest level of information and data security. Our hands-on global model relies on regional EIG hubs and international employees strategically hired from established global practices in partnership with the best lawyers in a particular local market.
Katie McDermott is Managing Director for the UK and Ireland at Erickson Immigration Group, where she advises multinational organisations on how shifting geopolitical, regulatory, and economic developments shape cross-border workforce strategy. A dual-qualified lawyer and registered solicitor of England and Wales, Katie specialises in corporate immigration and global mobility, helping businesses respond to changing migration policies, labour market pressures, and compliance risks across the UK and Ireland. Her work focuses on translating complex international developments into practical strategies for employers navigating talent shortages, regulatory reform, and evolving government priorities.
Katie has advised organisations across technology, engineering, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and financial services, and is recognised for her ability to connect immigration policy with wider geopolitical and business trends affecting global talent flows. She previously practised at a leading corporate law firm and played a key role in establishing Erickson Immigration Group’s first global office outside the United States, supporting the firm’s expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Katie joins the event at the London School of Economics to share insights on how geopolitical developments are reshaping international mobility, labour access, and the future of global workforce planning.
Suad Abyan is an experienced UK Immigration Manager with over 15 years of industry expertise, specialising in corporate mobility, sponsor licence compliance, and strategic workforce immigration solutions. She leads end‑to‑end UK immigration processes at Erickson Immigration Group (EIG) for multinational clients, advising on complex cases, compliance risk management, and pragmatic business‑aligned immigration strategies.
Suad is known for her exceptional client service, collaborative approach, and ability to simplify technical immigration requirements for HR teams, global mobility stakeholders, and executive leadership. She manages a wide portfolio of Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility cases, Sponsor Management System (SMS) reporting, licence audits, and government‑facing submissions with precision and efficiency. With a strong record of supporting high‑growth organisations, Suad plays a key advisory role in navigating evolving UKVI policies and ensuring clients remain compliant while meeting their hiring and mobility needs.
Suad joins the event at the London School of Economics to share insights on how geopolitical developments are reshaping international mobility, labour access, and the future of global workforce planning.