Browne Jacobson corporate health partner recognised as ‘one to watch’ at national industry awards

Browne Jacobson partner Vicky Tomlinson has been recognised as a “standout talent” at a healthcare industry awards. 

Vicky, Partner in corporate healthcare at the UK and Ireland law firm, won the One to Watch – Investment & Advisory category at the HealthInvestor Power List yesterday (3 December).

The award recognises “standout talent in individual investors and advisors operating in the healthcare sector for less than five years, displaying exceptional promise and leadership potential”.

Vicky said: “I'm delighted to receive this recognition from HealthInvestor. The independent health and social care sector plays such a vital role in society, and it is a privilege to work with clients and organisations who are committed to supporting it. It has been an extremely busy year for the Browne Jacobson health and life sciences team, and this award is testament to the hard work across the entire team.”

While Vicky’s legal experience spans more than 15 years, her specialism in healthcare transactions began just four years ago following completion of her first significant healthcare deal in December 2021 – advising Weight Partners Capital on its acquisition of Grosvenor Health and Social Care. 

Since then, she has quickly established herself as one of the leading transaction specialists in the independent healthcare sector, working across sub-sectors including later living, complex care, children’s services and medical device manufacturers.

Her broad sector expertise is demonstrated by a diverse range of clients across M&A, investments and general company law matters and is lead partner for some of the firm’s key health and life sciences clients.

In 2023, Vicky also established Health and Care Connect as a Browne Jacobson forum for people working in the health and social care sector to share ideas and learn from each other. It has now grown to more than 1,000 members, featuring regular legal and sector-specific updates in collaboration with companies including Virgin Money, Knight Frank and Hazlewoods.  

Vicky’s dedication to the sector was recognised with promotion to partner in 2023 and more recently as joint lead of corporate health transactions for the firm. Her sector involvement extends beyond transactional work through community activities, including for Championing Social Care, and volunteering at a local care home alongside her daughter’s primary school choir. 

Completed transactions this year include supporting decontamination specialist iM Med Limited in its collaboration with SteelcoBelimed, and advising the sellers of CF Group on its disposal to Keys Group in a key deal for the children’s services sector. 

Clare Auty, Head of Independent Health and Social Care at Browne Jacobson, who was also shortlisted in the Legal Advisor (Private/Corporate) category, said: “We’re extremely proud of what Vicky has achieved in such a short time specialising in independent health and social care.

“Across her advisory work on major transactions in the sector and in bringing like-minded people together via the Health and Care Connect forum she established, Vicky embodies our firm’s values to support clients working at the forefront of society’s biggest issues and acting as a connector between our clients.

“Vicky's fast expertise development is particularly impressive considering she took a year's maternity leave in 2023, effectively building her sector knowledge in just three active years. Her track record of delivering results in compressed timeframes showcases exceptional efficiency and client focus within her brief but impactful healthcare career.

“Her contribution to Browne Jacobson's strategic expansion into independent health and life sciences positions her as a key member of the firm's future growth in this hugely important sector. These efforts make Vicky a worthy winner of the HealthInvestor Power List’s One to Watch – Investment & Advisory category.”