Ola is an associate in our charities team.
She has over 15 years of corporate, commercial, and business development experience, giving her a highly commercial perspective on the charity sector. She specialises in governance, trustee fiduciary duties, risk management, and strategic development.Having served as an executive committee member of the Audit and Risk Committee for St. Paul’s Cathedral and a Country Director at De La Rue International, Ola 'walks the talk' when advising clients. She brings invaluable first-hand insight into the operational, financial, and regulatory challenges facing large institutions and non-profit organisations. Her practice focuses on providing robust governance frameworks, trustee training, and strategic compliance advice to charities and social enterprises.
Me in a minute
I look at legal and structural issues with a creative eye, allowing me to craft innovative, out-of-the-box solutions where traditional methods might not work
Long before navigating the complexities of charity governance, my first passion was street dancing and classical ballet. While I eventually traded the studio for the courtroom and boardroom, the intense discipline, creativity, and spatial awareness required in dance shaped how I approach the law. I look at legal and structural issues with a creative eye, allowing me to craft innovative, out-of-the-box solutions where traditional methods might not work.
My legal journey has been non-traditional; I am a non-practising barrister and qualified solicitor, and my early corporate career took me all the way to senior leadership as a Country Director. This mix of courtroom advocacy and commercial execution means I don’t just look at charity law in a vacuum- I look to understand the financial and organisational realities my clients face.
What I love most about the charity and social enterprise sector is its sheer variety. No two days are ever the same. It requires a blend of rigorous technical knowledge, sharp strategic thinking, and a deep appreciation for the human element driving these institutions and organisations. Joining Withers is an incredible milestone for me, largely because the firm shares my dedication to this sector, matching a collegiate, down-to-earth culture with a world-class intellectual calibre.