Chris Whittington strengthens the Education Team at Anthony Collins Solicitors

Chris brings with him a wealth of practical experience within the schools and academies sector. He will work alongside Simon Ramshaw, Partner at ACS, to continue the firm’s impressive growth in this fast-moving sector.

As partner and head of education at Geldards, Chris advised schools, local authorities and public bodies, as well as Church of England Dioceses, trusts and federations. He has previously held significant senior roles in local government, including Head of Legal Services at Northamptonshire County Council. Chris is also chair of trustees for two Church of England retreat centres in the Midlands.

Chris has led a number of academy conversions in the past – an area of particular strength for ACS who have supported over 130 academy conversions to date. He also led the team advising on the establishment of the Church of England Central Education Trust (CECET), a unique and ground-breaking collaborative vehicle jointly owned by the diocese of Lichfield, the diocese of Birmingham and Wolverhampton University. The partners will deliver a wide range of integrated services through this vehicle to over 260 academies and schools within the diocese and beyond.

ACS now plan to launch a Midlands Forum for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) following their very successful ‘Voice of the Midlands’ dinner in March at which both Pank Patel, the Midlands Regional Commissioner and Frank Green, the National Schools Commissioner, were guest speakers.

Simon Ramshaw commented: “Chris’ appointment strengthens significantly the ACS offer to the schools and academies sector and heralds the next stage of development for our education work. Chris joins us at an exciting time, as we launch new products to the market and set up the Midlands Forum for MATs. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team and we’re all really looking forward to working with him.”

Chris said: “I’m very impressed with the work the ACS Education team has been doing and their achievement in becoming one of the leaders in the sector. Successful schools and academies are central to strong local communities and to the delivery of social justice. I’m delighted to be joining a firm with such a strong commitment to both enhancing the quality of local community and to the delivery of social justice.”

Chris can be contacted on chris.whittington@anthonycollins.com

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