Law, governance and finance
Legal, governance and finance support for cultural, creative and charitable organisations
One trusted adviser who understands your sector, for everything from setting up and staying compliant to contracts, rights, funding and the occasional crisis. Clear advice on difficult issues, without pomp or ceremony.
One adviser, not three
Most cultural and charitable organisations do not want a law firm, a governance consultant and an accountant on separate speed-dials. They want one adviser who knows their world and can help with whatever comes up. That is us. We bring legal, governance and finance together under one roof, so when a decision touches all three, which it usually does, you get joined-up help rather than three advisers who have never spoken.
- 30 years’ legal experience in the creative and charitable sectors
- Law, governance and finance in one place
- Trusted by cultural, creative and third-sector organisations
What we do
Eight areas of support
Whatever you are dealing with, it is likely to fall into one of these. Each area leads to the individual services, or simply get in touch and we will point you to the right help.
Setting up, structuring & change
Starting, structuring and reshaping an organisation, from charity formation to mergers and orderly closure.
Governance & compliance
Strong boards and the right side of the rules: governance reviews, policies, safeguarding, data protection and more.
Contracts, IP & rights
The agreements and intellectual property that hold your value, including media, entertainment and performance.
People & property
Employment, HR and volunteers, and property and conveyancing through a trusted associate.
Money & finance
Fundraising, finance and accountancy, and financial strategy for the long term.
Disputes & crisis
Difficult moments handled calmly, including the Culture Crisis Lab, our half-day crisis simulation.
Public contracts & cultural property
Specialist public-sector and heritage work: procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, and immunity from seizure.
Learning & advisory
Workshops, talks and strategic support, from trustee training to board away-days.
Who we help
Specialists in the creative, cultural and charitable world
We work with organisations of many kinds, and this is the world we specialise in. That means we are specialists, not generalists who happen to take the work: we explain complex rules clearly, without pomp or jargon, and help you do the right thing in a way that fits what you can afford.
Choose your area to see how we help:
We know your world
Founded by Keith Arrowsmith, a solicitor since the mid-1990s who was the first project director of WorkWise for Screen and is company secretary of Freelancers Make Theatre Work.
We are flexible
Online or in person from our Sheffield base, across the UK, for a single question or a long-term relationship.
We are clear about cost
We tell you roughly what it will cost before we start, and keep our advice proportionate to your size and budget.
News and insights
Latest from ProArtsPlus
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At Governance Now 2026 I ran two sessions: a taster of the Culture Crisis Lab, and a close look at what model…
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Charity accounting just got lighter. For financial years ending on or after 30 September 2026, the main thresholds have risen: independent examination…
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will point you to the right help.