Spotlight
Provided by Chris Priestley
Chris is head of the firm's charities & philanthropy practice. Particular areas of expertise are: regulatory investigations; safeguarding; cross-border collaborations, structuring and fundraising; charity governance and mergers; Royal Charter work; and advice to educational and healthcare charities. Chris also advises on the structuring of complex charitable groups (both domestic and international) arrangements and the ownership by charities of underlying business and social enterprises. Chris has a strong reputation for advising corporate and private donors on their philanthropy strategies and the structuring of family foundations. He regularly addresses conferences on charity law topics, is a member of the executive board of the Charity Law Association and authored the ICSA Charity Trustee's Guide.
Qualified in Scotland 1994 and England 1998. Solicitor with Robson McLean WS 1994-96; joined Withers 1996, became partner 2003.
Charity Law Association; Charity Treasurers’ Forum; Law Society of England and Wales.
The ICSA Charity Trustees’ Guide
Chapters in the ICSA Charities Handbook
The fundraising chapter of Tolley’s Charities Manual
Educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh 1974-1987; Edinburgh University 1987-1992. Trustee of Barrow Foundation UK; and W.O Street Foundation.
Provided by Chambers
Chris Priestley is head of Withers' charities & philanthropy department and is advises clients on a wide range of matters. His expertise covers: tax planning, governance, policy, partnerships as a few examples.