Newbury: Gardner Leader hires to grow charity practice

Gardner Leader solicitors, based in Newbury, has hired a specialist in inheritance protection and charity law to strengthen its private client division and grow its charity arm.

Penny Wright joins as senior associate, bringing 15 years' experience to the inheritance protection team and a wealth of knowledge and contacts in the charity sector.

She has worked for several of the UK's leading law firms in Southampton and Reading before coming back to her roots in Newbury where she first worked for 12 years after qualifying as a solicitor in 1999.  She will work from the Newbury office and liaise with teams in Maidenhead and Thatcham.

Wright is a member of STEP, the Charity Law Association, and is also a qualified member of the Law Society Private Client Section.

She specialises in all areas of private client work including trusts, wills, probate, inheritance tax planning, mental capacity issues and powers of attorney.

She is also a leading authority in charity law, which includes advising on philanthropy, setting up new charities, advising charity trustees on their duties and liabilities, dealing with permanent endowments, mergers, and governance and constitutional matters.

"It's great to be back working in my home town, and also to be part of a firm that really values its clients and staff,” she said. "Gardner Leader places huge emphasis on delivering a great client experience while enjoying the work we do. The firm has a fresh outlook which makes it stand out from the rest."

Managing partner Derek Rodgers added: "We're delighted to have Penny with us. The firm is growing fast so her experience will strengthen the inheritance protection team while her unique specialism in charity law will support as we continue to service an expanding charity clientele."