Louise Harman is a Partner at law firm Bates Wells, the first UK law firm to be certified as a B Corp. Louise co-leads the firm’s multi-disciplinary Purpose & Impact strategy and advise corporate, charities, social entrepreneurs, B Corps, philanthropists and investors seeking to create positive impact.
Louise advises on the full range of activities carried out by clients seeking to have a positive social impact through their business and other activities, including capital-raising, formation, governance, and general not-for-profit and commercial law issues. She has a particular interest in structuring and executing social investment transactions for organisations including social investors, charities and foundations, certified B Corps and other purposeful businesses and investors.
Louise is a trustee of B Lab (UK) (the charity behind the B Corp movement in the UK) and also formed part of the Policy Council which was appointed to develop the legal requirements for B Corps in the UK. During 2016, Louise was also seconded to the Government Inclusive Economy Unit to help develop recommendations to Government and industry on mission led businesses as part of the Mission led Business Review.
Prior to joining Bates Wells, Louise trained and worked for seven years in the general finance team of a magic circle law firm where she advised on high value, cross border emerging market financial transactions, investment grade and leveraged finance transactions and restructurings.
Josh Machado is a Trainee Solicitor at Bates Wells. He joined the firm in 2022 in the Charity and Social Enterprises team, and he is passionate about being a part of a sustainable business future.
