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Nick Burrows

Head of Charities & Education

Location: Reading, Henley-on-Thames & Wokingham
Qualified as a solicitor: 1985

Nick Burrows is head of charities & education and a member of our Corporate & Commercial team. He advises clients from our Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham offices, as well as remotely.

Nick is highly experienced in advising charities, schools and third sector organisations on areas including formation, incorporation or conversion, constitutional matters and governance. He also advises on joint ventures, collaborations, consortia and mergers, together with contractual negotiations with funders and other parties, public procurement and fundraising.

Further, Nick advises clients, including businesses, in relation to contracts, including for example franchising and distribution agreements, e-commerce and IT contracts and outsourcing arrangements; data protection and intellectual property matters, such as trade marks and copyright. He also has a wealth of expertise in acting for partnerships and professional practices, advising on partnership law and on conversion to or the incorporation of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).

Nick has been recommended in both Chambers UK Guide and The Legal 500. and is recognised as a 'leading partner' in the latter. He is a member of the Charity Law Association, a Friend of The Almshouse Association, trustee of several local charities and participates in a range of sector focused events. In 2024 Nick received a 'Thrive Mentoring Award' from the University of Reading, having been nominated by his student mentee.

Nick is a former partner and was chairman of the firm between April 2021 and June 2024.

Examples of recent work

Advising charities on becoming a charitable incorporated organisation (CIOs) or a company limited by guarantee and on the creation of charitable trusts.
Advising on the sale of a charitable institution to an independent purchaser.
Acting for an air ambulance charity in the negotiation of major contracts with a large scale NHS Foundation Hospital and with a NHS Foundation Ambulance Trust in relation to the provision of the charity’s emergency services.
Advising a charity on its obligations under the Charities Act in relation to the lending of money on a joint venture development project.
Advising a well-known grant giving charitable trust on its purchase of a property for a substantial seven figure sum, including complex title, tax and constitutional matters.
Dealing with the sale of all of the assets and liabilities of an independent school run by a charitable company to a commercial purchaser, including obtaining consent of the Charity Commission to a change of objects and advising on all compliance issues.
Acting for several village halls, sports clubs and playing field associations on the incorporation of their charities to provide protection for trustees and modernisation of their constitutions.
Acting for a not for profit company in the negotiation and finalisation of a complex outsourced software services and hosting contract, including provisions relating to bug fixing and future software development.
Drafting a communications infrastructure development agreement for an integrated communications provider.
Protecting the wealth of individuals by advising on the set up of family investment companies under which assets may be protected from Inheritance Tax.

How I Can Help You

Charity law
Charity incorporations
Charity mergers and demergers
Commercial contracts & agreements
Data protection including UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
Education
Franchising, agency and distribution agreements
Intellectual property
Joint ventures
Online trading
Outsourcing & procurement
Partnership and LLP law
Safeguarding
Technology law
Third sector organisations
Trustee duties & training
Winding up a charity

Professional Memberships:

Member, Charity Law Association
Member, The Law Society

Education:
College of Law (Guildford)
University of Reading, LLB

Accreditations & Awards:
Leading partner, The Legal 500

What Our Clients Say

“We have total confidence in Nick Burrows who understands the charities sector as well as anyone.”

The Legal 500

“Nick Burrows is exceptional. Very responsive, helpful, flexible and knowledgeable.”

The Legal 500

“Absolutely fantastic.”

Chambers UK Guide

“Nick Burrows is a dedicated, professional inspiring individual. Nick also responds swiftly and with a real understanding of the local voluntary sector, he is an asset to any organisation.”

The Legal 500

“Nick Burrows is a real leader in the charities field. He has years of experience and offers thoughtful and practical advice.”

The Legal 500

“We have always received a professional and focused advice across a wide range of legal matters.”

Finance Director, Ben - Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund

“We engaged Blandy & Blandy to help us with our charity transfer to a new CIO. We had no previous experience of dealing with the firm but were impressed with the literature they shared on their CIO experience and chose them following comparison with other legal firms. The support they have given us through a very tight timescale has been first rate and they have always been proactive in letting us know of forthcoming pitfalls in the process. We have been delighted with their service to get us over the line.”

Treasurer and Trustee, Vision Norfolk

“The team at Blandy & Blandy guided the trustees of Daisy’s Dream expertly through the transition to becoming a CIO. They provided practical advice and support throughout the entire process and we would have no hesitation in recommending them to other charities considering engaging with the team.”

Director, Daisy's Dream

“We have used Blandy & Blandy for over 15 years and have been very happy with the support received, in particular the quality of advice we receive and the relationship we have built over the years.”

Chief Executive, Adviza

“Nick's attention to detail is superb, and he wins the trust and respect of all his clients and peers. I would recommend him to anyone, and trust him with anything.”

Client

“Blandy & Blandy always provide first class and pragmatic advice. Nick Burrows has supported me across a number of charity organisations and I can’t praise them enough.”

Client

“Nick inspires confidence and is thorough in all that is asked of him. I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone in need for legal support in this field.”

Client

“Nick is approachable, knowledgeable and a good communicator who is able to explain complex issues clearly.”

Client

“Nick Burrows and Tim Clark are both excellent and sensible lawyers who looks to help clients achieve what they need achieve without excessive costs. First class.”

Client

“Confident, responsive and good fun to work with. ”

Client

“I consider Blandy & Blandy to be an important partner in my work and knowing that I can speak to Nick about all commercial matters provides me with great reassurance.”

Client

“Thank you so much. If we find we need legal advice at any point in the future we will be back in touch and we will not hesitate to recommend your services to others.”

Client

“I have worked with Nick Burrows for approximately 20 years. He has done some excellent work for me and I recommend his expertise without qualification.”

Client

“Nick Burrows is as an experienced and pragmatic practitioner. His advice is based on what is achievable; there is also a strong sense of what the reasonable expectation would be rather than the minute detail of the law and the regulations. Advice is in lay language which makes it easier for non-technical trustees to understand and consider as part of their trustee responsibilities.”

Client