Barney Northover > VWV > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

VWV ’s ‘market-leading’ Bristol team acts for academies, multi-academy trusts, independent schools and universities on a range of strategic and operational matters, including work in anticipation of large-scale political and legislative shifts. The unit is also well-known in the market for schools transactions, spanning sales, purchases, and charity mergers. Barney Northover and Chloe Brunton head up the team from the firm’s Bristol office. Simon Bevan is well versed in employment and discrimination law matters, while Tabitha Cave leads on safeguarding for the firm. Chloe Brunton, Con Alexander and Naseem Nabi are additionally noted for their capabilities.

The education team at VWV stands out for its strategic and operational expertise and is widely considered a ‘market leader in the independent schools sector’. The team is trusted to assist with high-value projects, including major school acquisitions and sales, restructuring matters, and academy trust formations. Clients also frequently instruct the team, which has strong relationships with major sector organisations and regulators, to advise on regulatory matters in the context of safeguarding and equality issues. Barney Northover, who has advised independent schools on some of the most significant mergers and governance matters in the sector, co-leads the practice from Bristol with Chloe Brunton, who provides advice to academies and MATs on conversions and reorganisations. Also in Bristol, Simon Bevan continues to be highly regarded for his expertise across the spectrum of employment and discrimination matters. Alice Reeve, who divides her time between Bristol and Birmingham, has advised on major safeguarding matters and provided employment advice in the context of industrial action, and London-based lawyer Yvonne Spencer is a key contact for complex regulatory matters involving parental claims and complaints.