A handful of Stone King’s people are charity trustees in their own time. Here, they each talk about the charities they work with and reflect on what they have learnt from their experiences.

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Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association

Julie Moktadir

 

Julie is an experienced immigration expert and has worked with various types of organisations and individuals on a broad range of immigration issues. She supports clients across Stone King’s sectors with often sensitive immigration-related matters.

Trustee for:

Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association

https://ilpa.org.uk

Lindsey House, 40-42 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6JN

info@ilpa.org.uk

How did you become involved with ILPA and how long have you been a trustee?

I wanted to become a solicitor in order to practice immigration law. I therefore found a training contract that offered immigration as one of its seats. Most immigration lawyers are members of ILPA, it is a fantastic charity. I have therefore been a member ever since I started practicing law and a trustee for two years.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee?

In order to support the charity effectively, you need to understand the purpose as well as how a charity works, and how to offer strategic support to the excellent team employed by the charity.

What do you enjoy most?

I love being a trustee of ILPA as I am able to shape its work and support the staff. Whilst the charity has a big impact, there aren’t many employees, so it is rewarding for the trustees to offer support.

What have you learnt from the experience?

Working with so many other immigration lawyers of various backgrounds and areas of specialism, we learn from one another and how different individuals handle different situations. 

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a charity trustee?

Being a charity trustee is very rewarding. Having previously been the Chief Executive of a charity, I understand how important good trustees are, and how valuable it is to the organisation when individuals will invest their time and expertise. It is mutually rewarding.

  

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Nicole Reed

 

Nicole is an Associate Solicitor in our Charity & Social Enterprise team. She advises on a variety of matters including the structuring and registration of new charities and social enterprises; transfers, mergers and restructures; regulatory compliance and governance and public benefit delivery

Trustee for:

The Children at Risk Foundation (UK) (CARF UK)

www.carf-uk.org

www.acerbrasil.org.br

How did you become involved in CARF UK?

I was introduced to Jonathan Hannay, the Founder of ACER Brasil (Associação de Apoio à Criança em Risco or Association to Support Children at Risk) by Frederico Singarajah, Founder of Lex Anglo-Brasil, a network connecting Brazilian and British lawyers. As part of a three-week tour of Brazil in 2017, where I visited a number of charities and social enterprises, I went to Diadema in São Paulo to see the work ACER is doing in the local community. I was impressed with the varied and sustainable support that the organisation is providing to local children in an area which has a high level of social difficulties.

On my return to the UK, I was invited to participate in the meetings of Children at Risk Foundation (CARF), a UK charity which fundraises for and raises awareness of the work which ACER does in Brazil. After a few months as an ‘observer’ I became a trustee of the UK charity.

What do you enjoy most?

Being a sounding board for ideas, providing guidance where I can and knowing that what we do supports the work in Brazil.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee?

Being a trustee is a great way to meet new people, put your skills (whatever they might be) to good use outside of work and gain another perspective on life.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a charity trustee?

Everyone has something to give. Charities need trustees with a wide variety of skills and everyone brings something to the table. Our trustees all have very different jobs and different specialties so no matter who you are, you can be a good trustee. Choose a charity which means something to you, something local, something you are passionate about or something you have a link with. The time commitment varies depending on the charity so consider what you can do in practice and go for it!

 

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Sarah Clune

 

Sarah is an Associate Solicitor and Professional Support Lawyer in our Charity & Social Enterprise Team. She advises charities on all aspects of safeguarding and on the policies they need to have in place. She advises charities on all aspects of safeguarding vulnerable groups including safer recruitment, DBS checks and barred list checks, safeguarding and other policies, the legal duty to refer, training for trustees and other members of staff and volunteers.

Chair of the Local Governing Body for:

Motcombe Primary School part of Sherborne Area Schools Trust 

https://www.sast.org.uk/

Church Road, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9NT

01747 852018

How did you become involved with Sherborne Area Schools Trust?

I became a governor at my local primary school, which is part of the Sherborne Area Schools Trust, 5 years ago. When I saw the advert for a parent governor vacancy I applied because my children were very happy at the school and I felt that I might be able to contribute to the governance side using my professional skills, particularly in relation to safeguarding. I'm now Chair of the Local Governing Body.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?

I think, throughout the pandemic, it has been supporting the school staff, in particular the senior leadership team, to provide the best education and mental health support possible for our children whether in school or, during lockdowns, at home.  We have managed to remain connected as a governing body and Trust overall.  I think staff wellbeing will be a key focus over the coming year.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee? 

I think that the first thing you need is a desire to learn and a readiness to commit to becoming a governor. A range of skills is important for any governing body, and any good governing body will carry out a skills audit on a regular basis to ascertain what gaps there are in terms of areas of expertise and knowledge.  I have used and developed my skills in relation to safeguarding and governance, and the Trust has provided excellent training opportunities to develop skills in areas in which I had no prior experience. It can be very rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a charity trustee?

There is never a dull moment! I think with a good team of governors who are all committed to the ethos and values of the school, as well as to high standards of teaching and learning, you can really make a difference to the experience of children at the school for the better. There are often difficult times and you need to make the best decision you can based on the facts before you. A good relationship and shared vision with the Head or Principal is crucial, but at the same time you need to maintain the role of ‘critical friend’ in the forefront of your role as a governor.

 

 

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Julian Blake

 

For over 30 years Julian has specialised in Social Enterprise; Charity; Responsible Business; Public Service Reform and Innovation; Co-operatives and Stakeholder Participation; blending business and public benefit legal disciplines.

Trustee for:

Media Diversity Institute

www.media-diversity.org

85-87 Bayham Street, London, NW1 OAG

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7255 2473

info@media-diversity.org 

How did you become involved and how long have you been a trustee?

I advised on its legal establishment in 2003 and, as the founder was new to the UK, provided further support by acting as an original trustee in relation to its operational establishment from 2004.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee?

Charity Law expertise and an overview of the public benefit environment and organisational operation.

What do you enjoy most?

Providing support where and in a way so that what I specifically have to offer is particularly needed.

What have you learnt from the experience?

It has given me direct practical experience of a range of issues where the external advice is easier to give than implement.

What advice what you give to someone considering becoming a charity trustee?

You need to be interested in and committed to the particular organisation, as time and application are needed.

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Craig Vincent

 

Craig leads the HR Consultancy team and is an integral part of the firm's Employment Team which has grown significantly in recent years. He also leads on all aspects of Business Development for the team and this includes speaking at regional and national events.

Trustee for:

Kool Kids Club

https://koolkidsoosc.co.uk/ 

Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School

Eastholme Drive

Rawcliffe

York

YO30 5TA

Tell us a little about Kool Kids Club and how long you have been a trustee

Kool Kids Club is an out of school setting that provides activities, educational trips and a safe place for children; I’ve been a trustee since March 2023.

What are the main skills you need?

In my view, you need to be passionate about the organisation you are supporting. This group has a big impact on the community and the most important skill I have is my ability to assist with the management of people. My knowledge of the legal requirements and safeguarding is also helpful to the Board.

What is the biggest challenge, and what do you enjoy most?

It can be time-consuming, but I enjoy helping the team and making a difference to the community I live in.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a charity trustee?

Do it! It is very rewarding.

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Caroline Fell

 

Caroline is a partner in the family team and advises on all issues arising on the breakdown of relationships. Caroline is described as a Notable Practitioner in Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2022, being noted as “down-to-earth, results-focused and empathetic", "Caroline Fell is bright, measured and calm - she is a great person to work with”. She is also noted as a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500 UK 2022.

Trustee for:

Bath Child Contact Centre

Walcot Methodist Chapel

Nelson Pl East 

London Street

Bath 

How did you become involved with the contact centre?

The contact centre provides a safe environment where separated parents are able to spend time with their children. I have been a trustee at the centre for seven years, taking over from another solicitor at Stone King. At the time, I had been working with the contact centre in a professional capacity and saw the invaluable service provided to the community.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee?

You need general life experience, the ability to consider matters objectively, and a real interest in the work of the charity for whom you are a trustee.

What do you enjoy most?

Meeting others who are wholly dedicated to a particular cause and who commit such time and energy to their charitable work.

What have you learnt from the experience?

That there are so many people within our community who wish to support others in need. For anyone considering becoming a trustee, it is such a rewarding experience – I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

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Tamsin Eastwood

Tamsin has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate finance, banking and financial services. She was previously an equity partner in Dechert and was a consultant to the leading north west firm, Brabners LLP for 20 years, joining Stone King in 2013 and became a partner in 2018.

Trustee for:

East Anglian Education Trust

Robert Arkenstall Primary School

Camping Close

Haddenham

Ely

Cambridgeshire

CB6 3UA 
 

What does East Anglian Education Trust do and how long have you been a trustee?

I became a trustee just over a year ago. I had known one of the trustees for many years, and they were aware of my involvement in the broad education sector through Stone King. 

East Anglian Education Trust is a recently established CIO which forms strategic partnerships with national and regional organisations to develop and deliver programmes to partner schools and communities in our area of benefit. 

Its strategy is to raise educational standards of school-aged children in the area, creating fairer access to better paid and skilled employment in the hi-tech big businesses in the region. EAST3T sees itself as a successor to the Opportunity Area Partnership Board.

What are the main skills you need to be a trustee? 

Each trustee brings something different to the table and it is important to appreciate what particular skills you bring. 

Common to each trustee should be an understanding of what the charity is trying to achieve and an ability to assess the opportunities, rewards and related risks so as to be able to form an informed and considered view. 

One needs an ability to think independently, to identify the questions that need to be asked and the determination to find an answer.

What is the most challenging part of being a trustee?

Finding the time to do as much as one would like, especially with an early stage charity which needs all hands on deck.

What advice would you give to someone considering the role? 

Carefully consider whether it is something that you want to do and to which you can really contribute.

What makes the experience worthwhile? 

Working with skilled and able people with a common aim, with the belief that we really can make a difference to some lives.

Stone King offers comprehensive trustee training, Senior Associate Clive Vergnaud outlines what the programme covers here