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).
Corporate, Commercial and Banking
Alongside his work in the education sector, Thomas maintains a corporate, commercial and banking practice for clients across a range of industries. He advises on company sales and acquisitions, group restructurings, joint ventures, commercial contracts and multi-million-pound lending arrangements for both borrowers and lenders. He was described in the Legal 500 2022 as “excellent in providing professional services in the corporate field”, reflecting the strength and breadth of his wider transactional practice.
Education Sector Advisory – Employment, Education, Commercial and Regulatory
Thomas’s clients have described him as a “trusted advisor” (Legal 500 2025) who is “extremely knowledgeable” (Legal 500 2023). He advises schools, academy trusts, colleges and universities on employment law & HR, commercial contracts and corporate law, education & equality law, and a broad range of regulatory matters. His work includes advice on employee relations issues, workforce planning, workforce restructuring, governance support, SEND, safeguarding, UK GDPR and FOI compliance, and parental complaints. He helps institutions manage workforce- related risk, respond to regulatory change and embed practical, robust compliance structures.
Alongside his institutional advisory work, Thomas also maintains a respected practice advising parents, carers and young people on complex SEND matters. He assists families in securing specialist placements and tailored provision in EHCPs, reflecting his commitment to ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need.
Across his education, corporate and advisory practices, Thomas is valued for combining technical expertise with practical, commercially focused advice tailored to each client’s objectives.
