Thomas Emmett

Thomas Emmett is a Partner, head of the Chelmsford Office and head of Schools, Colleges and Universities at Geldards. He is recognised as a Next Generation Partner (Legal 500 2025) and combines a leading education practice with wider corporate, commercial, employment and regulatory expertise. His work spans educational institutions, local authorities and private sector clients, giving him a distinctive perspective on complex contracts, transactions, governance, workforce and regulatory issues, and strategic advisory work. His specialist education sector expertise was recognised at the Education Investor Awards 2025, where he was a finalist in the Legal Advisor of the Year to Educational Institutions category.

Education Sector Transactions

Thomas advises on complex transactions in the education sector, including academy mergers and conversions, independent school mergers, acquisitions and disposals, and the purchase and sale of nursery groups. He works closely with proprietors, governing bodies, senior leadership teams and boards to navigate the unique regulatory, governance and financial frameworks that apply to educational institutions. His transactional work is supported by a detailed understanding of how educational institutions operate, enabling him to provide strategic, commercially grounded advice. His clients recognise he has a “…thorough knowledge of how schools operate and the unique requirements within the sector” (Legal 500 2025).