Wilkin Chapman Rollits offers specialist education sector expertise relating to regulatory, governance, and commercial matters, with strength in relation to academy conversions and transfers. Katie Davies and Nick Alstrom jointly lead the team from Grimsby. Davies is an employment specialist with a strong record in relation to safeguarding, while Alstrom has public sector expertise, including in relation to procurement and subsidy control. Emma Ellinor is a key name. Sara Ellison joined from Irwin Mitchell in June 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The team at WCR is led by Ralph Gilbert, who is our main partner, and he understands the holistic legal needs of the Trust and acts as a signpost to the correct specialists in his team. Ralph responds very quickly to any contact and outlines the next steps, so we are always clear about who in the team will respond and by when. Ralph will also represent us personally in any particularly complex matters. We have developed relationships with the HR team and Data Protection Team, led by Ed Heppel and Nick Alstrom, respectively.
- Ralph Gilbert is an outstanding partner. He understands our business very well and the way in which we work.
- Teresa Thomas provides outstanding service in terms of responsiveness and quality of advice.
- Nick Alstrom has supported us with complex cases with sound advice in a timely manner. He is always supportive and knowledgeable.
- Having a named contact who specializes in certain areas has made a vast difference to the support and advice, as we are able to maintain continuity.
- Understanding both educational issues and the local context.
Key clients
- Lincolnshire Gateway Academy Trust
- Exceed Learning Partnership
- Leger Education Trust
- St Lawrence Academies Trust
- Signhills Academy
- Franklin Sixth Form College
- Caistor Grammar
- Humberston Park Special School
- North Kesteven Academy
- The Corporation of Oundle School
- St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Academy Trust
- Edukos Trust
Work highlights
Created a new Multi-Academy Trust to convert Franklin Sixth Form College Corporation to an empty Multi-Academy Trust.
Advised Exceed Learning Partnership on a possible dismissal following a safeguarding investigation by the LADO.
Provided legal advice and support to LGAT on the creation of two new schools at Waltham and Scartho as a result of significant local residential development.
Practice head
Katie Davies; Nick Alstrom
Other key lawyers
Emma Ellinor; Tom Martin; Sara Ellison