Aarti Thakor

England

Mishcon de Reya LLP · Aarti is a Partner in the Charities and Social Ventures team within the Impact department leading the team's non-profit consultancy, investigations and review capabilities for major international NGOs, international institutions, charities and philanthropic foundations. Aarti is a civil law barrister & accredited Mediator with 20 years of extensive charity, regulatory & international experience gained primarily within the Charity Commission's legal services directorate. She specialises in multi stakeholder projects, major and high-risk investigations, governance and incident response, as well as providing technical consulting on financial crime and terrorist financing risk. She is known for advising successfully and pragmatically in complex operational implementation in cross border contexts and for capability and capacity building at national and international levels. She has also advised a vast number of governments in the Far East, Middle East, Europe and Caribbean, including regulators, other institutions and agencies globally on how to develop or improve regulatory systems or policies for NGOs and civil society. She has been responsible for reviewing or changing relevant laws, policies and operational processes in multiple countries, and in FATF R8, AML and CTF matters, being well versed in engaging and influencing at the most senior Ministerial or national levels. As Director of Legal and Accountancy Services at the Charity Commission, Aarti oversaw all charity related national high profile, sensitive and complex cases and policy issues, including developing risk management, strategy and business processes. She also led in matters relating to national regulatory strategies, sector reviews and relevant risk assessments. Over the last decade she has also led the external legal development of charity law and the regulatory framework for charities through Parliamentary bills, primary or secondary legislation (Charities Acts 2016 and 2022) and national guidance, including written and oral evidence in Parliamentary Committees. Before joining the Charity Commission, Aarti has worked as counsel for the United Nations’ International Criminal Tribunal in Rwanda, and at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Aarti also previously worked in chambers dealing with a number of civil and criminal matters. Her excellent track record of delivering innovative strategic, policy and operational leadership, coupled with a unique perspective and insight from her extensive and authoritative Charity Commission experience ensures pragmatic, effective and robust solutions for clients.

England