Sharon Thandi

Partner

Areas of Expertise

Sharon specialises in corporate, governance and regulatory advice and primarily works with registered providers of social housing (RPs) on a variety of matters that range from incorporation and registration as RPs, through to dealing with regulatory intervention and partnership working with third parties.

Sharon advises clients across the housing, charities and third sectors on their corporate and company secretarial needs, including providing training and support to boards and executive teams on their regulatory compliance and a range of other legal issues.

She also advises on establishing and reorganising group structures, strategic governance advice and reviews, co-operative and community benefit society law, general company law and charity law.

Experience

Sharon qualified as a solicitor in 2017. She joined Devonshires in 2022. Sharon has worked in the social housing and charities sector throughout her career.

Sharon has a range of experience including advising on housing association group restructures and mergers and acquisitions, including amalgamations, transfers of engagements, conversions and due diligence processes.

Publications

Is diversification delivering?, Inside Housing – 03/09/2024

Directories

Sharon is recognised as a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500

Conferences

Sharon regularly attends sector conferences.

She most recently spoke at the Housing Diversity Network Autumn Conference 2024 on a session exploring “Inclusive excellence: embedding EDI into regulation and leadership”.

Education

University of Nottingham, 2013, Law LLB 2:1.

University of Law (Birmingham), LPC, 2014, Distinction

Personal

Sharon is a keen sports fan, often attending live sports events including football, tennis and cricket. She also enjoys cooking and researching new recipes, reading and the arts.

Sharon is particularly interested in social justice with a focus on improving diversity and inclusion. She is a member of various equality, diversity and inclusion groups and volunteers for the Social Mobility Foundation.

Awards

Birmingham Law Society Solicitor of the Year 2023: Shortlisted Finalist

Professional Memberships

Birmingham Law Society Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee Member

CIH West Midlands Board Member

Notable Cases

Advising on several mergers within the social housing sector including acting as joint advisor to clients during the merger process and supporting on corporate, governance and regulatory matters.

Leading on the evaluation and rationalisation of group structures for clients, including the consolidation of RPs and group subsidiaries.

Leading on the due diligence exercises for various mergers in the social housing sector in the last 18 months.

Advising a charity on its corporate and group arrangements, including its relationship with its trading subsidiaries and ensuring these met charity law requirements and best practice.