Choose 7 new Executive Committee members to serve for a 3 year term.
Poll opens May 25th at 9.00 and closes at 17.00 on June 8th
NOMINATIONS
Jonathan Aikens, FCA, DChA
Jonathan is a partner in the non-profit team at Moore Kingston Smith and is based in their London City office. He holds Fellowship to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) as well as the ICAEW’s Diploma in Charity Accounting.
Having specialised in the sector for over 10 years, Jonathan has worked with many charities across a broad range of activities. His experience covers working with numerous local, national and international non-profit organisations.
He will continue to provide the strong financial expertise and advice that the CLA has come to expect from Moore Kingston Smith.
Liz Brownsell, Birketts LLP
Liz Brownsell heads the Charities Team at Birketts LLP, has a keen interest in sector development and is an active member of the CLA, having participated in several Working Parties (including Lord Hodgson’s review, the Law Commission’s consultation on Technical Issues in charity law, the Charity Governance Code updates, and most recently the Charity Commission updated CC14 investment guidance). She also sits on the Standing Committee for model governing documents and has previously delivered the annual legal update at the CLA Conference. Liz is based in Suffolk and would like to represent regionally-based charity lawyers on the Executive Committee.
Pippa Garland, Partner, Russell-Cooke LLP
“There once was a lawyer from Ealing,
who wanted to smash the glass ceiling.
She decided the best way, was to join the CLA,
so hopes a vote for her is appealing.
When not writing questionable limericks, I am a lawyer at Russell-Cooke. I specialise in governance, working across a range of charity structures and governing documents. This year I was on the CLA working party looking at CC14 and was blown away by the depth and breadth of knowledge CLA members bring. I would very much like to play my small part in supporting its continued success.”
Will Hopkin, Charities Barrister, New Square Chambers
Will Hopkin is a well-known charities barrister, practising from New Square Chambers. He is committed to the development of charity law, and gives regular talks, on topics as diverse as the origins of charitable structures, costs in charity proceedings and resolving land disputes. Will is keen for the CLA to stay at the cutting edge, and hopes to be able to help bring new ideas and initiatives to the membership. He would provide balanced insights in relation to both non-contentious and litigation matters.
Elizabeth Jones, Farrer & Co.
I am a Partner at Farrer & Co and have specialised in advising charities for over fifteen years. Over the past three years as a member of the CLA’s Executive Committee, I have served as Secretary (for two years) and (over the last year) as Chair. I have also been a member of our EEDI Working Group and the Standing Tax Committee. I am standing for a third term of office as I would very much like to continue contributing to the work of the CLA in harnessing the technical and practical knowledge of members for the benefit of charities.
Ola Olajide, Legal Adviser (SQE), Lee Bolton Monier-Williams LLP
Ola joined Lee Bolton Monier-Williams in September 2022 as a Legal Adviser (SQE candidate) and sits within the Education law and Charity law departments. Ola is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champion for the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury and liaises with the LSB and other legal regulators on EDI strategies and policies. She serves in this role with a ‘lived’ experience of growing up in a council estate and attending a comprehensive school.
Ola studied law at the London School of Economics and was Called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, where she received a scholarship.
Kate Parkinson, BDB Pitman LLP
It has been an honour serving my first term on the Executive Committee (EC) and co-chairing the CLA Conference in 2021 and 2022.
Having previously been a member of LinC whilst working in house, and now as a contact for the group on the EC, I look to serve all corners of the charity law community.
As a senior associate based regionally, I offer another perspective to the EC. I have been a diversity champion for my firm and, being the first in my family to attend university, fervently believe in widening access to both the profession and practice area.
Philip Reed, Partner, Withers LLP
I’ve practised charity law for the last 12 years, having worked in London and regionally. I’m very proud to serve charities and the sector, contributing through my practice as well as through trusteeships. I would be very glad to extend this through serving on the Executive Committee. On the specific areas where the CLA needs support, I’m used to chairing and speaking to large gatherings and would be very happy to help with the Annual Conference. I also enjoy(!) advising on charity tax and governing documents having eg negotiated and settled model governing documents with the Charity Commission.
Ruo Wu, Winckworth Sherwood LLP
My name is Ruo Wu and I am a charities and social enterprise solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood.
I entered the legal profession as a second career having started it by working as a project manager at a social enterprise in Tower Hamlets, one of the most deprived boroughs in London. In that role I worked with underrepresented communities and effected positive changes which led to an invite to present at the House of Commons. I have volunteered at various care homes, centres for adults with learning difficulties and legal aid clinics, with a particular emphasis on helping underrepresented BAME communities.