I am Bates Wells’ Managing Partner whilst maintaining my practice working with charities, and social and creative organisations – and I lead our Culture + Creative work. A lot of my work is commercial and regulatory, taking on a general counsel role for the organisations I support. I am passionate about the role that charities, non-profits and culture plays in our society and wider democracy.
I have a particular interest in cultural assets and “intangible assets” (IP), and how organisations can use those throughout the world to generate impact and income.
I am a trustee of Shakespeare’s Globe and Unitas, two charities using education, culture and the arts to make a positive contribution to our society. I am a long-term supporter of membership bodies working in the culture, music, education and heritage sectors.
I believe we should strive for a dynamic and varied cultural life, which offers space for us to create, share and debate nationally and internationally – and to bring about wider social impact.
- General Counsel and charity law specialism support for a number of household name charities: I support several of the UK’s larger charities, non-profits, and cultural institutions on their general legal support and charity law issues. These include charities working in health and social care, addiction, international funding, housing, protecting our environment and sustainability, culture, leisure and education.
- Culture, heritage and restitution: I advise museums, galleries, campaigns and heritage organisations on cultural artefacts, including their exhibition, loans and wider value to the public. I support organisations on restitution claims, including both the safeguarding of cultural artefacts and opportunities around their return.
- International and cross-cultural: I support many charities on their international work, and relationships with US 501(c)(3)s and other overseas non-profit structures.
- Relationships with public bodies: I work with organisations that are part of, or have a link to, local or central government. This work typically includes governance, regulation, funding and collaboration advice.
- High value gifts or fundraising campaigns: I have worked on many fundraising campaigns, including those with corporate supporters and on long-term gifts / endowments.
- Restructuring: I support non-profits on their restructuring – including revisiting membership structures, mergers, joint ventures, and incorporations.
- Media, performance, production and royalties: I advise non-profits on their media and production work and partnerships, including in film, apps, music, celebrity brand(s) and theatre / performance.