Mark Blois
Partner
Nottingham
mark.blois@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)115 976 6087
Mark is a leading expert in education law and governance and has been recommended as a leader in his field for almost 20 years in Chambers and Legal 500. Chambers ranks him as one of only two lawyers ranked in Band One nationally for recommended schools lawyers. Legal 500 includes him in their Hall of Fame, which highlights law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.
Mark also has over 20 years' experience of serving in governance roles in the school, academy and further education sectors. Between 2011 and 2021, Mark served as the Chair of the L.E.A.D Academy Trust, a 25 school multi-academy trust operating in the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire region educating over 10,500 children and young people. Mark continues as the Trust's Vice Chair.
Mark regularly speaks at national conferences including those of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), the Association of School & College Leaders (ASCL), the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and the National Governance Association (NGA). Mark is also a Trustee of the National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN).
Expertise
Featured experience
Disability Power 100
In 2021 Mark was included in the 'Education, Public & Third Sector' category of the 'Disability Power 100', the annual publication recognising the success and influence of 100 individuals, disabled or living with an impairment, who through their example are inspiring others to achieve their full potential, regardless of disability or impairment.
National Leader of Governance
In 2021 Mark was designated as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) by the Department for Education, the only lawyer to be so, and in this role Mark specialises in External Reviews of Governance, advice and support to the academies sector.
The Lawyer Hot 100
In 2022 Mark was named in The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100’ listing which identifies 100 legal professionals from private practice, in-house and the Bar selected by The Lawyer as having met their criteria for excellence and relevance and who have played a critical role in shaping the legal profession over the past twelve months.
Testimonials
“Mark's knowledge of governance is second to none; he conducted a thorough and extremely detailed review which got right to the heart of our strengths and areas for development. Everyone involved in the review felt they were challenged and encouraged to reflect by a professional who led us to consider what our Trust is about and how we can improve it.”
“Mark’s knowledge and expertise allowed him to get to the very heart of the strengths and weaknesses of governance within our Trust. His method of scrutinising our practice was thorough and challenging but done in such a way that it put those involved at their ease and able to give of their best”
“We were delighted with the thoroughness, professionalism, challenge and support that Mark brought to this work”
Awards and accreditations
