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Neil Finlayson

Neil Finlayson

Partner

As head of our dedicated nonprofit sector encompassing charities, schools, membership bodies and trade associations, Neil Finlayson has worked with a wide range of charities for more than 25 years and is passionate about the sector. He has extensive experience of running both fundraising and grant-making charities, and has built up an unparalleled knowledge of the issues facing charities, schools and religious organisations. He has a particular interest in international charities, especially those who work to promote long-term sustainable development and he also acts for a significant number of religious and faith sector clients.

In addition, Neil advises many education sector advisory bodies, including the Catholic Independent Schools Conference for which we also act as auditors. He also provides technical advice to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association and other school groups.

Neil helped to establish and continues to lecture on the MSc in Charity Finance, Grant-making and Fundraising course at Cass Business School at City University, the only course of its type in the country. He was one of the founding members of the Charity Finance Group, regularly contributing to their handbook, and is a former trustee of the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint. Neil is also currently a non-executive director of a medical grant making charity, which he helped set up, and a member of Moore Kingston Smith’s Governance Board.

In addition to his sector expertise, Neil is well-known for his supportive, patient and calm persona. He is an excellent listener who works in partnership with his clients, getting involved in advising across a wide range of business issues. He is also always willing to be a sounding board, providing his clients with ideas, adding value through innovative and constructive advice.

Neil is a family man and in his spare time enjoys theatre, cinema, county and international cricket, and landscape gardening.