Meet the Gifts in Wills team

Pronouns

• He/Him

Qualifications

• Chair of Institute of Legacy Management since 2021
• Masters Degree, Law.

Work History

Before joining Macmillan in 2012, James worked as a Trust Officer managing 450 life interest trusts at Cancer Research UK (CRUK). At Macmillan, James first worked as a Senior Legacy Manager before becoming Head of Legacy Income in 2016.

Areas of expertise

James led the charity sector response to the Law Commission about the disposal of charity land and ex gratia payments. He leads on sector communication with HM Courts & Tribunals Service and works with the Charity Commission and Financial Reporting council on accounting guidelines on legacies.

Outside of work

James has been married to Nell for 13 years. They have two active and growing boys. James loves golf, padel tennis and surfing - and jokes that he spends too much time playing chess on his phone. 

Connect with James on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• South African qualified Solicitor, Conveyancer and Notary
• STEP Cross Border Estate Advanced Certificate
• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Michelle practised law in South Africa before moving to England and joining the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (DNID) in 2015. In 2017, Michelle joined Macmillan as a legacy manager and became the senior legacy income manager in 2019.

Areas of expertise

Cross-border estates, which are estates where there are assets and succession in various countries.

Outside of work

Michelle is married and has 2 little boys aged 3 and 1. She loves the countryside, cooking and baking, and spending quality time with her family. Her favourite 'guilty' treat is 90% cocoa dark chocolate.

Connect with Michelle on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• Certificate in International Business Practice
• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Leadership Accelerator
• Membership of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

After university, Sarah spent a year studying for a Certificate in International Business Practice in New York while interning in a reinsurance law firm. She then joined Macmillan as a legacy officer, and then worked as the head of legacy Income for 8 years before moving into her current role as a legacy income specialist. She now works with complex cases and manages a team of legacy officers.

Areas of expertise

Sarah has experience of charity legacy administration, in particular contentious probate. She is also an expert in data protection and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulations.

Outside of work

Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and is a carer for a family member. Sarah loves animals and has 2 'very large' cats. She is a novice at glasswork and enjoys spending time at the beach or on a country walk with her friends and their dogs.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• LLB Law, Legal Practice Course
• Private Client Solicitor
• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Sarah trained with Charles Russell Speechlys and qualified in their private client department. After a break to look after her family, Sarah went back to the firm as part of their tax, trusts and succession team for 2 years. She then moved to Tearfund's legacies team. In June 2021, Sarah joined Macmillan.

Areas of expertise

Sarah is a specialist in inheritance tax calculations and leads in complex matters. She is interested in Court of Protection and statutory wills situations. Sarah has been part of working group with CRUK and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) preparing a toolkit for the charity sector on the changes to charity law on the disposal of charity land.

Outside of work

Sarah loves spending time with her family, two daughters and son, and friends, including walking their dog and cooking (especially curries). Sarah loves reading novels and would like to improve her French for holidays.

Connect with Sarah on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Currently studying for a Diploma in Charity Legal Management
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

In 2007, Natalie joined the NSPCC as a legacy assistant after completing her a-level exams. She then moved to Alzheimer's Society in 2012 as a kegacy care officer. In 2016, Natalie joined Macmillan as a legacy manager and has since covered 2 periods of family leave in a senior legacy income manager role.

Areas of expertise

Natalie enjoys working on complex and contentious matters, and examining estate accounts. Natalie runs monthly inductions for new starters at Macmillan to introduce them to Gift in Wills.

Outside of work

Natalie lives on the Kent coast and has 4 year old twins. She enjoys walking her dog Misty along the seafront. She also tries to get to the gym or swimming as much as possible between juggling other commitments.

Connect with Natalie on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor
• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Before joining Macmillan, Johanna worked in archaeological conservation. She worked in the Middle East and in the UK, in academic institutions, museums and heritage organisations. Johanna also worked as a solicitor working in projects and the rail industry, and ran her own business dealing in twentieth century antiques and art. Johanna entered the charity sector 8 years ago as a volunteer for:

• Gardening Leave
• Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
• CRUK
• Macmillan.

Areas of expertise

Johanna has a wide range of interests including GDPR, chattels (particularly cars), and ex gratia projects, aiming to maximise kind bequests to Macmillan and build good relationships with stakeholders.

Outside of work

Johanna enjoys travel and exploration and is 'never happier' than wandering along the aisles of gallery or museum, or climbing the stairs of an ancient monument. She also enjoys drawing and painting.

Connect with Johanna on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• He/Him

Qualifications

• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Peter has worked in the charity sector for 10 years in a variety of roles. He joined the Legacy Team at Macmillan 5 years ago.

Areas of expertise

Peter has experience on all types of legacies, particularly in pecuniary legacy gifts.

Outside of work

Peter enjoys spending time with family and friends, and learning about the world.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree, Law and Society
• Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Emma worked as a legal assistant in the probate department at a law firm for over 2 years. She then worked at Age UK as a friendship coordinator for 1 year before joining Macmillan in 2021 as a legacy income assistant. She is now a legacy officer.

Areas of expertise

Emma mainly deals with pecuniary gifts and residuary gifts. She works with solicitors and lay executors. Emma leads the legacy officer external engagement group which brings legacy officers from different charities together.

Outside of work

Emma is an avid reader. She also plays netball competitively. Emma enjoys exploring new places and going for walks. She likes trying new food and cooking.

Connect with Emma on social media:

• LinkedIn.

Pronouns

• She/Her

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Law
• Member of the Institute of Legacy Management.

Work History

Natasha previously worked at solicitor firms as a litigation legal assistant and legal assistant within immigration.

Areas of expertise

Natasha manages different administrative tasks in the Gifts in Wills team, including monitoring, recording and reporting.

Outside of work

Natasha enjoys going to the gym, oil painting, writing and reading 'super scary thriller books'.

Connect with Natasha on social media:

• LinkedIn.