The combination, announced on 16 May 2022, demonstrates both businesses’ ongoing commitment to investment and development as part of their growth and diversification strategy. In the education sector specifically, it enables them to better support clients to determine their strategic direction, giving wider choice, insight and access to a broad range of specialisms.
VWV is a leading legal and business services provider in the education sector with probably the most extensive combined list of school and university clients of any UK law firm. With global recognition, the education team enjoys the top spot in UK law firm rankings (as compiled by independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners), while several high profile lawyers are individually recognised as leaders in their fields. Further independent, industry recognition comes from The EducationInvestor awards, where VWV has had successive years winning the top Deal Maker and Legal Advisers to Education Institutions Awards.
Simon Heald, VWV Managing Partner and Rupert Barclay, Cairneagle Managing Partner
Cairneagle Managing Partner Rupert Barclay said
“We have long admired the reputation and in-depth sector expertise of education colleagues at VWV. For Cairneagle, it is about moving to the next stage of growth with a firm with a similar entrepreneurial spirit as ours. The investment, synergy and shared infrastructure that this collaboration brings will benefit both our clients, enabling us to meet their needs even better, and our people, ensuring we continue to grow, diversify and rise to new challenges. This is the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for Cairneagle together with VWV.
VWV Managing Partner Simon Heald commented
“We are delighted to be welcoming the Cairneagle team to the VWV ‘family’, having worked with them on joint projects for many years. This collaboration enhances both businesses, helping us to better support our clients in the education sector and its supporting ecosystem, where deep expertise and understanding of the regulatory environment, challenges and growth opportunities give us and our clients a competitive edge. Beyond education, there are many opportunities for developing and diversifying our broader practice and sectors as well as our London location and international profile.”
The new company will keep the Cairneagle name and become part of the VWV group of subsidiary companies which currently includes VWV Plus and Narrow Quay HR. Cairneagle will also remain in their current West End London office.
The Cairneagle partners will continue to work exclusively for, and are retaining equity in, the new company.
