Two of the UK's leading farming and food educational charities have merged with advice provided by charity lawyers at local law firm Lodders.

Mark Lewis, partner and head of Lodders' specialist Charity Law team, provided advice to long-standing client LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) for its merger with FACE (Farming and Countryside Education).

Following the merger, the newly expanded organisation will continue to build on leading education and public engagement in farming, food and the natural environment among consumers, children and young people.

Mark Lewis is a charity law specialist and corporate lawyer and works with charitable and not for profit organisations, family businesses, and ecclesiastical clients across the UK. He is one of only three specialist charity lawyers in the Midlands named as an elite 'leading lawyer' by the 2017 edition of the legal profession's bible, The Legal 500.

His role acting for LEAF included advising on the transfer of the assets of FACE, in line with charity law considerations, as well as ancillary matters such as employment issues for its incumbent team.

Mark Lewis said: "Lodders' client LEAF and FACE, both participate in the third sector strategy group which I operate and run, and it has been a pleasure to bring together these two leading charities in the farming and education sectors."

He added: "The Charity Commission is encouraging charities to merge and this is a good example of a mutually beneficial union which should produce a winning result for those involved."

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is a leading organisation developing and promoting more sustainable farming. It works with farmers, the food industry, scientists and consumers to develop and promote more sustainable methods of farming as well as leading a collaborative approach within the farming industry for better education and public engagement among consumers, children and young people.

FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) aims to educate children and young people about food and farming in a sustainable countryside. It works with schools to help children understand not only where their food comes from and what is required for a healthy diet and lifestyle, but also the opportunities the countryside presents for leisure activities and employment.

Caroline Drummond MBE will continue as chief executive of LEAF. Commenting on the merger, she said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the merger between LEAF and FACE. It will deliver multiple benefits to our partners and stakeholders and enable us to further strengthen LEAF's public outreach activities and the vital work the FACE team do in taking agriculture into schools. I am looking forward to working with the new team to deliver an efficient and effective strategy, that will increase and improve the public's education, understanding and appreciation of farming, food production and the environment."

"Mergers can raise technical issues which have to be carefully considered," added Mark, "and it has been rewarding to advise LEAF with this well-planned union of two well established charities."

Lodders is a premier law firm in Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Cheltenham, the North Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire. The firm has 25 partners and over 130 fee earners and support staff across its office network. With its portfolio of sector and market specific legal teams, the firm has recorded year-on-year growth in recent years.

For more information visit : www.lodders.co.uk.  or call 01242 228370

Pictured: (left to right) Steve Jones and Carl Edwards (both LEAF), Caroline Drummond (chief executive, LEAF), Mark Lewis (Lodders' charity specialist), Janet Hickinbottom and Dan Corlett (both LEAF).