Charity expert vows to ‘stand up for the sector’ after committee appointment

Charity law and governance expert Catherine Rustomji has been elected to sit on the Charity Law Association executive committee.

As head of charities at full service law firm Shakespeare Martineau, Catherine’s position on the executive committee will see her play a leading role in improving knowledge and awareness of charity law issues, as well as working closely with the Charity Commission to pursue both technical and practical issues facing the sector.

The role of the Charity Law Association is to support charities of all sizes navigate the legal landscape of the third sector, providing a forum for members to exchange ideas and information as well as responding to consultations from government and regulators.

Working alongside other leaders in the sector including advisors, academics and charity professionals, Catherine will share best practice with the association’s 900+ members.

Catherine, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the charity sector, said: “I’m thrilled to have been elected to sit on the executive committee – I am looking forward to getting back into the thick of developments in charity law and discussions with peers about the latest issues affecting charities, and working as a team to stand up for the sector and make a real difference.

“This additional role will position me at the coal face of charity law, keeping me at the forefront of developments so that I can better support my clients too.”

For more than two decades, Catherine has been exclusively advising charities, social enterprises and not for profit organisations – specialising in charity law and governance, not for profit legal structures, trustee training and board development.

Over the years, she has supported national, regional and local charities, not for profit organisations, community groups, schools, colleges, churches, welfare and professional associations – operating across the health, education, arts, public and private sectors.

Nearly 1,000 members of the Charity Law Association were asked to vote for the executive committee, with appointments announced at the organisation’s recent AGM. Positions are voluntary and held for three years, subject to re-election by members.