Champion of the disabled to head new Gordons’ division

Gordons is expanding its portfolio of services by acquiring a dedicated charities and education unit, which is headed by one of the UK’s best known specialists.

Ros Harwood, who has practiced charity law for more than 20 years, is joining the firm as a partner to lead the unit, after holding a similar post at Dickinson Dees since 2005.

Ms Harwood spent 13 years working for London-based law firms after qualifying in 1989.

She was voted private client lawyer of the year at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards in 2010.

In recent years, Ms Harwood carried out a complete governance review for Scope, the charity that works with disabled people, and their families, across England and Wales.

She helped to modernise the way Scope’s trustees are appointed, and ensured that the voice of the people who use the charity’s services are heard.

Ms Harwood said: “The opportunities for the unit will be immediate and varied, not just in relation to advising charity and educational clients, but also in its ability to generate work across the firm.

“Charities are businesses, albeit highly regulated ones, which require advice in all aspects of the law.”

Also moving to Gordons from Dickinson Dees to join the new unit are solicitor Mark Ashton and personal assistant Clare Burnard.

Paul Ayre, the managing partner of Gordons, which has offices in Leeds and Bradford, said: “Establishing a specialist unit in this sector of the law has been a key strategic goal of the firm for some time.

“Ros and her team will complement our already strong integrated offering perfectly, and particularly in the area of personal law where we’re developing one of the strongest teams in the North.

“Ros is one of the country’s top lawyers in her field. She will also fit perfectly with Gordons’ culture of looking for constant improvement and being straightforward. We’re sure she and her colleagues will be big successes in their new roles.”

Apart from Scope, Ms Harwood has worked for numerous national, regional and local charities including the British Heart Foundation.

She has also advised independent schools including Manchester Grammar, Bury Grammar and the Royal Grammar, Newcastle.

She has experience of all aspects of charity law including governance and constitutional issues, mergers, incorporations, restructuring and trustee duties and responsibilities.

Gordons employs 280 people, including 180 fee earners.

The firm’s turnover for the last financial year was £23.3m and it is ranked among the UK’s Top 100 practices.

The firm’s clients include Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons, construction and high performance materials manufacturer Saint Gobain, international brewers Molson Coors, and greetings card retailer The Card Factory.

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