Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Chetal Patel, Bates Wells

Date: 02 Apr 2025

Vanessa Dal Busco

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Chetal Patel, Partner and head of Immigration of Bates Wells.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I’m Head of Immigration at Bates Wells, a full service law firm in the UK. Bates Wells is the UK’s first B Corporation law firm.

I specialise in UK business immigration work, and advise on sponsorship matters, immigration compliance and the prevention of illegal working. A core part of my practice is advising on entertainment visas, business visits to the UK and relocation options for HNWs.

My passion lies with providing a holistic, pragmatic and commercial approach to my clients’ specific immigration needs and working collaboratively with colleagues and third party advisors. Every individual has their own narrative and their own journey so it’s important that I tailor my advice accordingly.

Alongside this, I’m a partner sponsor for our REACH&RISE group within our EDI forum. Diversity and inclusion initiatives are very close to my heart as a first generation Indian born in the UK and the first in my household to go to University. I want to level the playing field for people from different backgrounds and give them the opportunity to thrive.  

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day starts early as I’m an early riser. I’ll go through my inbox, flag any urgent matters that have cropped up overnight and then it’s onto my master to do list. A significant amount of my day is spent on casework, checking in with my team, whether it be for a general catch up, supervisory meeting or mentorship guidance. BD activity also forms part of my typical day and it can range from providing commentary to press outlets, delivering client training or attending networking events.

As immigration continues to be a hot topic, I’ll also consider the latest developments in my area of law so that I can continue to keep my clients informed of any key developments.

Due to the nature of my work and with clients spanning multiple time zones, my hours of work do vary and can be long but this is something that I thrive on.

What I would say is that no one day is the same.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.

My work in the creative sector is flourishing at the moment, as I’m seeing an increased demand from those overseas wanting to come to the UK, which is establishing itself as a leading creative hub. I’ve worked on a myriad of interesting cases for well-known entertainers, musicians and major names in TV and film. This has included one of the world’s biggest pop stars, an Oscar-winning actor, a lead actor in one of the world’s best-known TV shows, and the partner of a major UK film / TV actor.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

My clients can face an array of challenges, ranging from relocation desires due to the political climate in their home country, the lack of investment and entrepreneur routes in the UK, together with the government’s tinkering around the edges of immigration policy in a bid to reduce net migration.

Understanding my clients sector, and their personal and professional goals is really important as it helps me give them bespoke advice to plan a move to the UK.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being promoted young as a female partner whilst juggling commitments to my family.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Empathy – Effective leaders need to understand the needs and perspectives of their team. Empathy also helps foster loyalty, trust and collaboration.

Integrity – Being honest and ethical are critical. Leading by example is so important.

Vision – A leader has the ability to create a vision for the future and inspire others around them with a shared purpose.

Who do you most admire and why?

My grandmother who fled East Africa in 1972 with my mother (a small girl at the time). She left everything she knew and loved behind her and had to start a new life, in a new country, without speaking the local dialect. She was marginalised and mistreated because she was different and had little in terms of belongings. However, she instilled in my mother and me from an early age the importance of hard work, reaching for the stars and giving back the community. These are messages and life values that I try to instil on my two young and inquisitive daughters.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

I was fortunate to recently have a work trip in Los Angeles, where I was speaking at an entertainment summit and meeting contacts in the sector. A few highlights for me were meeting a top LA based entertainment lawyer who acts for a number of high profile clients in the film and TV sector, a highly accomplished filmmaker and an experienced music executive. Being surrounded by such talented people was really inspiring.

Seeing the Hollywood sign in real life for the first time from the rooftop of my hotel was definitely a bonus!

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I had always dreamt of being a TV presenter and reading the news during prime time. Whilst my dream hasn’t come true (yet!), I’m lucky to present to audiences all over the world as part of my international speaking engagements.

How do you relax after a long day?

Relaxation takes a variety of forms for me, it’s playing hockey or training my daughters’ hockey group at the weekend during the winter, curling up on the sofa reading a book, good food or long walks in the countryside with my husband and our 2 daughters.