Setting up, structuring & change
Restructures & mergers
Coming together with another organisation, or reshaping your own, is often a sign of ambition rather than trouble. We help you get there, from the first careful conversations to the day it completes.
Who this is for
Charities and cultural organisations exploring a merger, groups that have grown into a shape that no longer fits, and boards considering a group structure or bringing several organisations together.
Whether the reason is opportunity, efficiency or resilience, we help you do it properly.
At a glance
- The right route: merger, transfer or group structure
- Due diligence on both sides
- Transfer agreements, filings and the register of mergers
- Staff, contracts, restricted funds and pensions carried across
How we help
We guide you through the whole process: due diligence on both sides, choosing the route (a full merger, a transfer of assets and activities, or a new group structure), and the legal steps to get there.
We handle the transfer agreements, changes to governing documents, and filings with the Charity Commission and Companies House, including registering the merger. We keep an eye on the things that are easy to miss, such as restricted funds, pension liabilities and continuing obligations, so there are no surprises after completion.
Talk to us
Not sure where to start? Book an online appointment and we will point you to the right help.
Email hello@proartsplus.co.uk or call 0330 127 1414 during office hours.
How it works
- Scope
We help you define what you want to achieve. - Due diligence
We carry out or review the checks on both sides. - Structure
We agree the route and the documents it needs. - Completion
We document the transfer, file with the regulators and register the merger.
Throughout, we turn the legal steps into plain decisions for your board, so trustees can govern the process rather than be baffled by it.
Why ProArtsPlus
Mergers in this sector are as much about people, mission and reputation as about law. We handle the legal work in a way that protects the relationship as well as the balance sheet, and we know where these deals tend to wobble.
Frequently asked questions
How do two charities merge?
Usually one charity transfers its property and activities to the other, or both transfer to a new charity, and the transferring charity then closes. The right route depends on the charities involved, and we recommend and manage it for you.
Why register a merger with the Charity Commission?
Once a merger is on the Commission’s register, a gift such as a legacy that would have gone to the charity that no longer exists can take effect as a gift to the charity it merged into. Some gifts are excluded, and we check for them.
What happens to restricted funds in a merger?
Restricted funds keep their restrictions and must still be used for their original purpose. We make sure they are identified and carried across correctly.
Will a merger affect our staff?
Staff often transfer under TUPE, which brings its own requirements. We handle the employment side alongside the merger, so your people are treated fairly and lawfully.
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Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will point you to the right help.