Art History Link-Up delivers free, accredited courses in Art History for state school students, with a particular focus on outreach and inclusion. The charity is currently piloting a new initiative for students aged 13 to 15, which incorporates an accredited Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) – equivalent to up to half a GCSE. Now in its third pilot phase at the Courtauld, Somerset House, London the course continues to attract strong demand. The current cohort is the most diverse to date, with 71% of students identifying as from ethnic minorities and 45% from widening participation backgrounds.

Arthur brings specialist experience to the charity’s governance, combining legal expertise with a deep personal and professional engagement in the arts. At Sherrards, he advises individuals and families on matters related to art, heritage assets, and philanthropic giving. He is also a trustee of a grant-making charitable trust and studied History of Art at both A-level and Edinburgh University.

In joining the Board, Arthur will work alongside newly appointed Chair Maureen Hooft Graafland and fellow Trustee Victoria Yanakova. His appointment comes at a time of growth for the charity as it seeks to expand its educational offering and strengthen its long-term impact.

Arthur commented: “Art History Link-Up is doing vital work to open up access to a subject that enriches cultural understanding and critical thinking. I’m looking forward to supporting the charity’s vision and helping it reach even more young people across the UK.”

Find the charity’s full press release by click here.

For individuals, families or organisations seeking expert legal advice on matters relating to art collections, heritage assets or philanthropic structures, please contact Arthur here.

Advising Hew Locke RA OBE on Landmark British Museum Exhibition

Art & Heritage Partner Arthur Byng Nelson and Associate James Crook have had the privilege of advising celebrated Guyanese-British sculptor and contemporary visual artist Hew Locke RA OBE on the negotiation and agreement of terms with The British Museum for his highly acclaimed exhibition, What have we here?

The exhibition, which opened to the public on 17 October 2024 and ran through 9 February 2025, represents the culmination of a two-year creative collaboration. During this time, Locke engaged deeply with the British Museum’s collection and produced new, provocative works that have garnered wide critical acclaim.

Art critic Adrian Searle, writing in The Guardian, lauded the show as “part history lesson, part crime scene,” while The Standard praised it as “endlessly fascinating and illuminating.”

This milestone reflects Sherrards’ expertise in artist-museum partnerships and reinforces the firm’s reputation for advising leading cultural practitioners on complex legal frameworks in the art world.

Thought Leadership in the Art Sector

The Art & Heritage team continues to play an active role in education and industry engagement:

• In February 2025, Arthur Byng Nelson delivered a guest lecture to students at Kingston University, exploring the evolving legal considerations surrounding Artists’ Estates—a vital area of concern for artists, their families, and trustees.
• Looking ahead to March 2025, Sherrards is proud to sponsor a panel discussion at the Art Business Conference in Maastricht, taking place at the prestigious TEFAF art and antiques fair (14–20 March 2025). Arthur Byng Nelson will represent the UK on a panel titled “Patrimonie: Collecting in Europe,” contributing to important cross-border dialogues on cultural heritage and art market regulation.

About Sherrards Art & Heritage

The Art & Heritage practice at Sherrards brings deep sector knowledge to its work with artists, collectors, institutions, and estates. From drafting complex contracts and negotiating high-profile exhibitions to advising on estate planning and international art transactions, the team is dedicated to protecting and promoting cultural assets with sensitivity and legal precision.

 

For further information, please contact:

Arthur Byng Nelson, Partner and Head of Art & Heritage.

These diaries cover the entire life and career of one of the most prominent figures in the British Army in the twentieth century and have been eagerly awaited by historians and enthusiasts alike. The extraordinary diaries of Lord Ironside were first targeted by Professor Sir Michael Howard when he created the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives back in 1964: after a remarkable 60 years, they are finally in the ownership of King’s College and the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives.

Arthur Byng Nelson, Head of the Art & Heritage Department at Sherrards, advised the Ironside family regarding these special papers and facilitated the transfer to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax for the benefit and study of the general public.

To commemorate this event King’s College London Archives and the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War are hosting a talk on Tuesday 12^th March from 5:30 pm in the Archives Reading Room, at the Strand Building. At this gathering, esteemed speakers Professor Jonathan Fennell and Professor Andrew Stewart of King’s College London will delve into the significance of this collection for the study of the history of the world wars and beyond.

To sign up, click here and secure your place to celebrate the legacy of Field Marshal Lord Ironside and the invaluable contribution of his diaries to the understanding of military history.

To find out more about how we can help with your Art & Heritage matters, click here.