Browne Jacobson has appointed Vicky Tomlinson, Corporate Partner, as Head of Independent Health and Care as the firm continues to strengthen its market-leading offering to organisations operating across the sector. 

The UK and Ireland law firm’s independent health and care team of 200-plus lawyers works with clients including private hospitals and clinics, later living, specialist and complex care operators and children's services organisations, as well as developers, investors and funders. 

The team advises on the full range of legal matters affecting independent health and care providers including M&A, finance, regulation, employment, immigration, real estate, commercial contracts, disputes, claims and inquests. It supports clients throughout the health and care lifecycle – from investment and growth through to operational and strategic challenges.

With almost two decades' legal experience, Vicky is one of the very few corporate lawyers in the UK and Ireland whose practice is focused solely on health and care transactions, advising providers, operators, shareholders, investors and funders on M&A and other strategic transactions. 

Her appointment follows a standout year in which she won One to Watch – Investment & Advisory at the HealthInvestor Power List. She has since completed a number of significant transactions in the sector, including advising the shareholders of CF Group on its disposal to Keys Group in a key deal for the children’s services sector and advising Medina group on the disposal of part of its group to dementia and complex care provider Fortava Healthcare.

Alongside this, the wider independent health and care team continues to advise on a broad range of significant mandates across the sector. Recent work includes advising Endurance Capital on its investment into Forge Care, supporting its investment in the UK children’s care market; advising MACC Care Group on the sale and leaseback of various care home properties; advising a provider on strategically important employment tribunal claims; and advising the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Office for Life Sciences on the £85m Obesity Pathways Innovation Programme, in partnership with Eli Lilly. 

Vicky will be supported by senior members of the practice, including Emma Hinton, joint head of Browne Jacobson’s banking and finance team and a specialist in health and social care funding transactions; Victoria Thourgood, who leads the firm’s health, social care and life sciences real estate practice; and Carly Caton, who leads the firm's international health and life sciences strategy.

In 2023, Vicky founded Health and Care Connect, Browne Jacobson's networking and thought leadership community for the independent health and care sector. It now has more than 1,000 members and brings together providers, operators, investors and advisers to share insight and discuss the issues shaping the future of health and care.

Vicky Tomlinson, Partner and Head of Independent health and care, said: "This is a proud moment for me personally, but more importantly it’s an opportunity to recognise the strength and depth of the independent health and care team we have built at the firm.

“What really differentiates us is the combination of genuine sector expertise, collaboration across practice areas and a commitment to delivery. We know this sector because it is what we do every day. We understand the commercial pressures, the regulatory environment and the issues that matter to our clients, and we bring together the right people across the firm to provide practical, joined-up advice.

"Independent providers are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the UK's health and care system. Rapid advances in technology and AI, evolving models of care, increasing regulation and continued investment are transforming the sector.

“Clients need advisers with genuine sector expertise who understand both the legal and commercial challenges they face, but who also roll up their sleeves and get things done. This is what our team is focused on, and I’m excited about building on that further.”

Gerard Hanratty, Partner and Head of Health and Life Sciences, added: “The future of health and care in this country will depend on ever-closer partnerships between public and private sector organisations, and unlocking the inward investment needed to drive innovation, build capacity and improve outcomes for patients and service users. 

“Given our strengths of working with NHS and independent sector clients, we are uniquely positioned to support that agenda. Our approach is grounded in sector expertise and collaboration, and Vicky’s appointment will further strengthen our ability to support independent health and care clients as they navigate an increasingly complex and fast-moving market.”