National Trust's former legal counsel takes senior role at charity regulator

The Charity Commission has recruited a former legal counsel to the Bank of England and National Trust head up its legal and accountancy services.

Jan Lasik has been appointed by the regulator as its new director of legal and accountancy services.

Until this year he had spent seven years as general counsel and secretary of the National Trust and also spent five years at the Bank of England, where he was deputy head of legal.

He spent his early career working for international law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, and Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman).

“We were fortunate to attract an impressive pool of candidates in which Jan stood out,” said the regulator’s chief executive David Holdsworth.

“He brings a strong understanding of charity and wider law at a challenging time for the sector, and his experience, including working for an independent statutory regulator from his time at the Bank of England, will be of benefit as the Commission expands its casework staffing and explores the potential for technology solutions to meet increasing demand.”

Lasik, who joins the charity Commission in January 2026, added: “Charities are vital to our society, as is a strong and independent regulator.

“I look forward to joining the Commission, playing my part in ensuring that the law is upheld, wrongdoers are held to account, and that talent and innovation across the entire charity sector can flourish.



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