Bates Wells

Charity & Social Enterprise

Thea is a Partner and Head of the Charity and Social Enterprise team, and advises charities, membership organisations, sports clubs and sport’s governing bodies.

Her work for charities and not-for-profits includes formation, registration of new charities, constitutional advice (including restructuring, mergers and spin-outs), as well as advice on funding, grant and fundraising agreements.

Additionally, Thea’s work for sports clubs and sport’s governing bodies includes advice on charitable status and Inland Revenue CASC status – registration, restructuring, constitutional issues, contract work and funding.

Head of Charity and Social Enterprise, 2021

Partner, Bates Wells, 2008

Seconded to the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit working as the only lawyer on the team that wrote 'Private Action, Public Benefit', the review that led to the Charities Act 2006 and the introduction of community interest companies

Admitted as a solicitor, 2001

Trainee, Bates Wells, 1999

Publications of note: Consultant editor for the charity section of the leading legal text book Halsbury's Laws of England, co-wrote 'Keeping it Legal: Legal Forms for Social Enterprise' with Social Enterprise Coalition and edition 1 of 'Charities - The New Law 2006: A Practical Guide to the Charities Act' (Jordans).

Member of the Charity Law Association and a former executive committee member

Charity Commission approved practitioner for interim manager services

Member of Sports and Recreation Alliance

College of Law, London, 1999

University of St Andrews, MA English and Modern History, 1996

Bruton School for Girls

Wild swimming, camping, walking.