Collaborations & Mergers

Practical advice for partnerships that work in practice

Working together with other charities and social enterprises is increasingly the norm in the third sector. Collaboration can help organisations achieve more for their beneficiaries, strengthen bids for funding, and deliver services more efficiently.

At Almond Tree Consulting, we help charities, CICs and other non-profits explore, negotiate and deliver partnerships that strengthen impact – without losing identity or values.

Why Collaboration Matters

When everyone understands the plan, energy goes into making a difference – not debating direction

Collaborations and mergers can:

  • Strengthen resilience and efficiency.

  • Broaden reach and influence.

  • Improve sustainability and funding opportunities.

  • Bring fresh perspectives and shared innovation.

But they can also be complex, with risks and challenges. What happens if one partner isn’t delivering their side of the bargain or circumstances change?

That’s why our focus is on clarity, communication and calm guidance – helping boards and teams make well-informed, confident choices.

How We Help

We provide experienced, practical support through every stage of collaboration – from early discussions to post-merger integration.

Common challenges we help resolve

  • Knowing when collaboration or merger is right for you.

  • Managing trustee or staff concerns about identity and control.

  • Navigating the legal and governance steps involved.

  • Establishing the right ground rules and agreements.

  • Building trust between partners.

  • Ensuring practical integration of teams, systems and cultures.

Our work can include:

  • Exploration and options appraisal – understanding motivations, benefits and risks, and identifying when collaboration is right for you.

  • Due diligence – assessing governance, finances and culture to make informed decisions.

  • Structuring partnerships – ranging from informal partnerships and simple subcontracting arrangements through to formal joint ventures and full mergers.

  • Preparing documentation and agreements – ensuring strong foundations and clear expectations from the outset (with legal input where required).

  • Regulatory oversight – managing engagement with the Charity Commission and Companies House.

  • Mergers and integrations – supporting boards and leadership teams to manage transition effectively.

  • Post-merger integration – helping to align governance, strategy and operations for long-term success.

Every situation is different. We tailor our advice to your context and priorities – helping trustees and leaders move forward with clarity and confidence.

Our Approach

Clarity

Define the purpose, benefits and risks.

Guide

Facilitate open discussion between boards and partners.

Support

Manage due diligence, documentation and transition planning.

We provide independent, calm support that helps leaders keep perspective - and stay focused on mission and people throughout the process.

Experience and insight you can trust

Julian Lomas, our Director, has also served as a trustee for a charity that has undergone three mergers – giving him first-hand understanding of the opportunities and pressures involved. He is also the author of  A Beginners' Guide to Building Consortia in the Social Enterprise Sector, which remains a go-to resource for organisations considering partnership.

In our clients’ words

  • “Julian has supported our organisation through substantive change and growth through 2 mergers, acting as a critical friend. He has been both innovative and inspirational at planning events for my workforce and Trustees.  Julian works to high standards, but more importantly understands our sector and challenges. Overall, he gets the job done.”

    – Tracy Rudling, Community360 -

  • “It is not an exaggeration that The Youth Consortium (Surrey and Borders) would not have achieved its success in winning substantial contracts for youth services with the local authority without the expertise of Julian Lomas,  His very impressive knowledge and experience have enabled him to offer sound advice on governance, business planning, income generation, tendering and contracting.  Crucially, his support is practical, delivering well-written, high-quality documentation, and he is very efficient with the use of his time.”

    - Jenny Griffiths OBE, The Youth Consortium (Surrey and Borders) -

  • “It was heartwarming and inspiring, and of immense value, to have your experience of small charities and expert guidance towards the merging of the two organisations. It was a joy to meet you and thank you for coming and for being so perceptive and effective in every way!”

    – Sarah Woodhouse, Right From The Start -