This article was originally published in Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary here and New Law Journal here. 

The Partners of Hunters are delighted to announce that Paul Ridout has joined the firm as a Partner in the Charity Department. Paul has over 20 years’ experience of advising charity and other voluntary sector clients, with particular focus on faith-based organisations as well as charities working in cultural/heritage, medical and conservation fields.

Noted as a leading individual by The Legal 500, he trained as a solicitor after nearly eight years working at The Charity Commission and has extensive experience of guiding charities through mergers and constitutional changes.

He has acted as interim manager of two charities subject to formal investigation by the Charity Commission.

The department is also very pleased with the addition of Rebekah French as an International Development Consultant. Rebekah is a veteran of the Royal Air Force, seeing active service in Iraq, on Operation Telic, as part of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JFEOD) team and Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick, serving with Joint Helicopter Force deploying to Sangin, Helmand Province with Royal Marines Commando. Additionally, Rebekah undertook tours of duty in the Falkland Islands and Cyprus.

Upon leaving the Royal Air Force, Rebekah transitioned into the private security sector, her main focus being that of international operational security. Rebekah has worked on numerous multi-stakeholder projects in Africa and the Middle East, where she has worked closely with Government Agencies, International Charities, International Aid Agencies and International Development Corporations in order to implement effective change in the developing world.

Rebekah has spent a large portion of her career on project deployments in Eastern Africa and the Middle East and as such has a keen cultural awareness and understanding of the regions.