I am a charity law specialist with a broad practice advising charities, social enterprises, philanthropists and corporate donors. I enjoy helping clients achieve their objectives, navigate complex challenges and develop practical governance and legal frameworks that support their long-term plans.
My approach is to provide clear, pragmatic and solutions-focused advice, recognising that the best answer is not always purely a legal one. I work closely with boards, chief executives, senior leadership teams and founders on both day-to-day matters and significant strategic projects, helping them manage risk while remaining focused on impact.
- Charity Commission engagement and investigations I regularly advise charities and individual trustees on all forms of regulatory engagement with the Charity Commission including (informal) enquiries, regulatory compliance cases, Official Warnings, trustee disqualification and statutory enquiries. I acted for the majority of the former trustees of Kids Company in relation to a Charity Commission inquiry and director disqualification proceedings brought in the High Court by the Official Receiver following the charity’s closure, which our clients won.
- Philanthropy, major giving and restricted and endowment funds I am recognised in the legal directories for advising philanthropists, families and businesses on establishing and operating charities, including family foundations and corporate foundations. I support clients throughout the philanthropic lifecycle, from structure and governance to regulatory compliance and communications. I also advise charities and donors on major gifts, restricted and endowment funds, and on modernising, releasing, merging or restructuring funds to maximise their effectiveness and charitable impact.
- Mergers, incorporations and restrucutres I enjoy helping organisations navigate periods of change and identifying ways for charities to operate more effectively. My experience includes incorporations, spin-outs, mergers and wider restructurings, as well as complex constitutional and governance changes. Recent work includes advising Forces Employment Charity on its mergers with the Officers' Association and Heropreneurs, and supporting a number of international charities on global restructuring projects involving overseas affiliates and partner organisations.
- Royal Charter bodies and professional membership organisations I advise Royal Charter bodies and professional membership organisations on a wide range of constitutional and governance matters. My experience includes establishing the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, amending Royal Charters, Byelaws and Regulations, working with the Privy Council, reviewing restricted funds, advising trustees and governing councils on their respective duties and responsibilities, resolving member disputes and supporting organisations through winding-up processes.
- I act for charities across a wide range of sectors and value the varied perspectives and challenges that this brings. I also lead the firm's work for armed forces charities and advise organisations across the sector on governance, constitutional change, collaborations, fundraising, regulatory compliance and strategic restructures. Recent work has included advising on up-to-date charitable objects and articles of association, establishing a trading subsidiary and fundraising activities.