Chris works with charities, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations, as a partner in the charity and social business team. His clients include several national 'household name' charities, as well as smaller voluntary bodies. Chris also advises individuals and families who wish to donate to charity, including on tax-efficient giving and setting up foundations.
Sources in Chambers UK (2019) say that "He gives practical, commercial advice which is always highly valued". The Legal 500 (2017) states that Chris “really wants to get to know and understand his clients and what they need”.
Chris specialises in providing complex legal and strategic advice to charities. He advises on diverse issues, including complex governance issues, commercial contracts and other agreements, constitutions (including for charities established by Royal Charter or statute), data protection (including the new GDPR) trading and fundraising, establishing and registering new charities, regulatory matters involving the Charity Commission, joint ventures and other collaborations and mergers. Chris has particular expertise in advising clients working internationally.
Chris gives careful attention to clients' particular needs, to enable him to provide advice that is clear, practical and pragmatic. He offers clients what is appropriate for them at a given moment, be it a brief phone call or a detailed piece of advice.
Chris is a trustee of the international development charity ACE Africa (UK) and chair of its finance and governance committee and also chair of a ‘Friends Group’ for a wild open space in London.
Chris regularly gives talks and runs training sessions for charity trustees and others.
Before joining Russell-Cooke, Chris worked for over six years at an international City firm in their charities and philanthropy team.
