Introduction to the team

Our Governance work is led by a team with deep experience across governance, regulatory compliance and social housing corporate structures. We combine technical expertise with a clear understanding of how Boards and Executive teams work in practice.

We act for a wide range of organisations across the social housing landscape, including registered providers of social housing, local authorities, subsidiaries, charities, for-profit providers and joint venture entities. As experienced social housing lawyers, we provide clear, pragmatic guidance on governance and regulatory matters, our dedicated inquest solicitors have decades of experience dealing with inquests and inquiries that follow unexpected deaths.

Samantha Grix, Partner, advises private Registered Providers (RPs) and local authorities on housing management, social housing regulation and rent regulation. She leads Devonshires' rent regulation practice, advising on compliance, engagement with the Regulator of Social Housing, Consumer Standards, rent governance and related investigations. Samantha also represents Registered Providers at Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests, advising on internal investigations, Coroner's proceedings and regulatory risk.

Gemma Bell, Partner, advises on social housing regulation, charity law, governance, company and community benefit society law, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, stock transfers and mergers and acquisitions. She is ranked Band 2 for Social Housing in Chambers and Partners, where clients describe her as an “all round superstar”. Gemma regularly supports Boards on complex governance questions and high profile transactions.

Matthew Waters, Partner, works with organisations across the housing sector, including RPs, funders and investors, local authorities and developers. His practice covers commercial, corporate and regulatory matters, often involving group structures, joint ventures and partnership arrangements. He helps clients align governance, funding and commercial objectives.

Sharon Thandi, Partner, specialises in corporate, governance and regulatory advice for RPs. Her work ranges from incorporation and registration through to regulatory intervention, partnership arrangements and ongoing compliance. She frequently advises on RSH engagement, governance reviews and changes to constitutional documents.