Sintons Strengthens Charity Law Offering with Senior Partner Appointment

Sintons has appointed Fiona Wharton as a Partner in its Faith Team, further enhancing the firm’s expertise in charity and social economy law.

Fiona brings over 20 years of specialist experience advising organisations working in the charity and social economy sector, having worked across private practice in Newcastle, Leeds and London, as well as in-house — most notably as Comic Relief’s first ever in-house lawyer.

Her appointment significantly strengthens Sintons’ capability to advise the full breadth of the charity and social economy sector, including faith organisations, health and social care providers, housing organisations, arts and heritage bodies, and grant-making charities.

Fiona advises on a wide range of charity law matters, including establishing new entities such as charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and Community Benefit Societies (CBS in the sector, incorporations, mergers and collaborative working, governance, constitutional reviews, group structures, trustees’ duties and responsibilities, fundraising, trading, grant-making. She also delivers training on charity law matters and has herself served as a trustee of a number of charities.

Commenting on her appointment, Fiona said:

“I am delighted to be joining Sintons and to become part of such a well-regarded team. The firm has a fantastic reputation and I am looking forward to working with clients across the charity and social economy sector, bringing my experience to bear on the issues that matter most to them and the communities they serve.”

Christopher Welch, Managing Partner at Sintons, added:

“We are thrilled to welcome Fiona to Sintons. She brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and experience in charity law that will be of tremendous benefit to our clients and to the continued growth of our Faith Team. Her arrival is a real statement of intent for this area of our practice and we look forward to the contribution she will make to the firm.”