NGCAA restructures following CEO’s death

The National Golf Clubs’ Advisory Association (NGCAA), which provides legal advice to hundreds of British golf clubs, has restructured itself following the death of its chief executive, Michael Shaw, at the end of last year.

Jackie Howe, who was Mr Shaw’s partner and previously national secretary of the NGCAA, has become the organisation’s new chief executive. The position of national secretary has not been filled.

Instead, under Jackie, a team of five specialist solicitors from Kippax Beaumont Lewis in Bolton have been employed to handle cases.

They are Nick Law, the honorary solicitor of Bolton Golf Club, who specialises in club law and licensing, John Hassels, the head of employment law, David Johnson, a commercial and residential lawyer, Stephen McArdle, a litigation specialist and Anneka Traynor, a corporate and commercial solicitor.

The NGCAA will continue to use the services of 3PB Chamber of Barristers on a consultancy basis however, as well as honorary Scottish and Welsh solicitors for advice on areas of law specific to Scotland or Wales.

“Following the sad death of Mike, the NGCAA have decided to restructure and engage the services of a team of specialist solicitors and increase the admin support staff in the offices which will give us the ongoing ability to service our member clubs with a very wide and comprehensive range of legal advice on a timely basis,” said Jackie, who has worked in golf club management for the last 22 years.

“The NGCAA team will still be contributing regular articles in the Golf Club Management magazine and also to NGCAA members through the website.

“All advice will be coordinated through me and any queries should continue to be sent to info@ngcaa.co.uk or jackie@ngcaa.co.uk. I’ll ensure that a speedy response is delivered from the appropriate solicitor in the team.

“Any club wishing to join in membership of the NGCAA should contact me or visit our website where you can now join online for on a pro rata fee for the remainder of this subscription year.”

Mr Shaw, himself a solicitor, had been the association’s chief executive since 2007 and was prior to that its national secretary from 2001.

As well as providing legal advice to golf clubs, the NGCAA can also mediate in disputes with, for example, club employees, members and suppliers, which can help reduce the costs of cases for clubs that may go to a tribunal.

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