Can US non-competes restrain an employee in England?

Multi-national corporations with large numbers of senior executives to manage are reluctant, understandably, to depart from standard incentive programs. To do so risks unfairness and expensive and time-consuming administration issues.

However, if it is important to restrain an executive's post-employment activities in England, it is essential to review the terms of stock-for-non-compete programs to make sure the non-compete clause would be enforceable in the UK. Otherwise, employers are potentially giving away valuable benefits for no reward and leaving them vulnerable in future.