Meet the Training team
Stephen Claus
Stephen is behind the establishment of BCS Training. A former in-house Charity Commission lawyer Stephen left the charity regulator in 2006 to fulfil a career in private practice moving from a large Birmingham practice to Brabners Chaffe Street Liverpool office in May 2008 where he is the Charity and Social Enterprise Partner.
Stephen represents charities at all levels from national and international charities to small start ups and is very much a leader in the specialist area of charity law, known for having published many articles on the subject, and has delivered many training seminars for all types of organisations, including Central Law Training. Stephen is one of only five legally qualified judges of the Charity Tribunal nationally, having been appointed at the creation of the Tribunal.
Recognising a clear gap in the market for good quality accredited training applicable to organisations and individuals in the third sector, Stephen is the main driver of this much needed training function and is very much key to its development and success.
Gillian Ashall
Gillian started her working life with the Charity Commission where for 11 years she provided frontline support and guidance to trustees and their representatives on a range of legal and administrative issues and exercised legal powers to enable charities to operate more effectively. Gillian left the Commission in 2006 to take up a post working for Community Futures, an infrastructure charity based in Lancashire where her role saw her supporting organisations at the grass roots level through the provision of advice and guidance, and the development and direct delivery of bespoke training packages and accredited courses.
Gillian has first hand experience of setting up and registering charities, resolving governance issues, sourcing grant funding and working with Boards in a developmental capacity. She is a highly accomplished trainer within the charity governance field who holds a Level 4 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification.
Graeme Hughes
Graeme joined the firm as a trainee in 2009 following the merger with Bremners Solicitors. Whilst training, Graeme developed a keen interest in charity law. Following qualification in 2010 he joined the Charities & Social Enterprise Unit as a Solicitor.
Graeme assists Stephen Claus in advising on all aspects of Charity Law, in particular, setting up charities, management, compliance and administrative matters, restructures and reorganisations and in dealings with the Charity Commission. Graeme has experience dealing with both national and local charities including acting for charities with operations overseas.
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