Cobbetts wins mutuals mandate

LAW Firm Cobbetts has been appointed as a mentor on the Cabinet Office’s Pathfinder mutuals scheme.

The scheme is part of the Government’s commitment to the Big Society, enabling public sector employees to own and run their own services through developing co-operative or mutual societes.

The first wave of Pathfinder mutuals was announced by Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, in August 2010. These are already helping the Government to establish the type of support and structures that will facilitate the development of similar mutuals going forward.

Cobbetts was chosen to advise on and support the scheme as a result of its experience in providing strategic advice to government departments and public sector bodies which have already been spun out of organisations.

Cobbetts’ public services partner, Kevin Jaquiss said: “Mutuals will have a vital part to play in the development of a diverse market for the delivery of public services as part of the Big Society vision.
“Mutual structures give employees and other stakeholders real ownership and a constructive voice in organisations delivering services.
enterprises.”