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thepartners@wrigleys.co.uk

Leeds: 0113 244 6100

Sheffield: 0114 267 5588

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Social enterprises are businesses with social aims and values at their heart.

They offer an alternative to traditional business models and are used in all sectors, from education and healthcare to property development and manufacturing. 

We are specialists in the social economy sector and have worked with social enterprises for decades.  Our deep understanding and expertise means we can offer you the niche support you need, to ensure your business is as successful as it deserves to be.

The services we offer social enterprises include:

  • Getting started

We can advise you on the best legal structure to use for your social enterprise and work with you to set this structure up.  We offer fixed fees for incorporating social enterprises wherever possible. You might choose to be a community interest company, community benefit society, co-operative society or some other form of social enterprise.

  • Community businesses

We work with community businesses of all sizes, ranging from local community groups up to national organisations.  We have also been advisers to one of the leading grant funders in the community business sector, so have a unique perspective on the issues which these community businesses face when sourcing funding.

  • Mutuals

We have worked with mutual societies for many years, including community benefit societies, co-operative societies and friendly societies. We are one of the few law firms which specialise in this area and have a unique knowledge to help you if you are considering these legal structures.

  • B Corp

We can advise you on the legal requirements to become a certified B Corp and work with you to ensure that you satisfy the test but keep your own goals.  B Corp status is aimed at for profit businesses which include social and environmental objectives, as well as economic objectives. 

  • Training

We regularly provide training on issues facing the social enterprise sector, including training on legal structures, employment and data protection.  We regularly deliver training to new social entrepreneurs taking part in The School For Social Entrepreneurs training programme. 

  • Tax relief

We can advise you on some of the tax reliefs available to social enterprises, including Social Investment Tax Relief, Community Investment Tax Relief and Enterprise Investment Tax Relief.  We can give you an overview of these reliefs and work with you or your tax advisors to help you obtain them.

  • Social investment

We are social investment experts and work with the majority of lenders and grant makers operating in the social investment sphere.  We can advise you on social impact bonds, community share and bond issues, and Community Development Finance Institutions.  We have been pioneers in community share issues and crowdfunding.  For more information see here.

  • Employee ownership

We have been advising on the legal, trust and tax aspects of employee ownership since 1987.  Employee ownership allows employees to have a meaningful stake in the business in which they work, whether as a  business succession option or business growth strategy.  For more information about the services we offer in this sector, please see here.

  • International Perspective

Some of our clients have operated through cross-border programmes or businesses for some years.  We understand this international perspective and have contacts with social enterprise lawyers in other countries.

'Allia has been relying on the advice and expertise of Wrigleys for over 20 years. The team combines deep knowledge of their field with sensible practicality and commercial awareness, and I am glad to have them as both valued advisors and friends.'

Phil Caroe, Director Deal Execution, Allia


'The Wrigleys team provide excellent support. They are skilled finance lawyers who also understand the social impact we’re trying to create. They know the social investment sector and help us to build strong relationships with the organisations we invest in.'

Charlotte Benson, Co-Head of Legal, Better Society Capital

Nick Dunn View Biography

Nick Dunn

Direct Line: 0113 204 1140

Associate
Leeds

Mike Ford View Biography

Mike Ford

Direct Line: 0113 204 5808

Associate
Leeds

Malcolm Lynch View Biography

Malcolm Lynch

Direct Line: 0113 204 5724 | 07768901793

Partner
Leeds

Hayley Marsden View Biography

Hayley Marsden

Direct Line: 0113 204 1143

Associate
Leeds

Laura Moss View Biography

Laura Moss

Direct Line: 0113 204 1145

Partner
Leeds

Peter Parker View Biography

Peter Parker

Direct Line: 0113 204 5792

Partner
Leeds

Meet the team

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