Department profile
VWV

Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above

UK Guide 2026 : Thames Valley


VWV

Rankings

About

Provided by VWV

Our experienced team of corporate lawyers advises clients on a range of corporate transactions and provides specialist corporate legal services to businesses throughout the UK and internationally via our offices in London, Watford, Bristol and Birmingham .

Our team comprises 11 Partners and 21 other corporate lawyers and professionals all available and accessible. This means that we are one of the larger corporate teams in the region and able to undertake a significant number of transactions in any year, of all shapes and sizes.

Not all corporate deals require substantial deal teams to support them. Larger and/or more complex deals, such as international mergers and acquisition deals require a larger team to ensure negotiations move along at the required pace. However, all of our corporate deals, large and small, are partner led from beginning to end.

Our corporate lawyers act for a broad range of clients, including:

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Investors
  • SMEs
  • Family-owned businesses
  • Startups, early stage & high growth businesses
  • Private equity & venture capital investors
  • Public companies
  • UK & international corporates
  • Banks & finance houses
  • Charities & social enterprises
  • Educational institutions

Our focus remains on the local (Thames Valley and North Home Counties) market, however our expertise in a number of key sectors - including education, technology and start-ups, family business, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and life sciences - gives us a national and international reputation in those areas.

Industries (20)

  • Banks
  • Charities / Not for Profit
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Food & Drink Producers
  • Healthcare
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Media
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel & Leisure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above - Thames Valley

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

VWV has a firmly established corporate practice in Watford that acts for a range of clients and maintains a strong reputation for expertise in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education and IT. The firm has strong cross-border capabilities within Europe and beyond, in addition to an increasingly prominent national reach. The team works closely with the firm's charities teams to provide depth of expertise within that sector. It offers additional strengths in corporate regulatory and restructuring matters.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • VWV acted for Cegos in connection with the purchase of shares in Interactive Workshops.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The department has some of the brightest and most talented minds. The personable approach of the team is difficult to match.

    Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • The quality and efficiency of the work is exceptional. The team have demonstrated time and time again how to cut through the complexity to deliver market-leading solutions in the least amount of time.

    Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • The transaction on which we were advised was very complex, and VWV handled sophisticated matters with due care and attention. They are very responsive, and it is always easy to get hold of a partner.

    Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • The team gives personal attention to clients. They clearly have an immense amount of experience that ensures the work is done efficiently and cost-effectively.

    Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • VWVW have the ability to cover all areas, having experts in every field; you can work across multiple teams with confidence that you are getting dedicated advice.

    Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Richard Phillips
    Band 1Richard Phillips

    Richard Phillips

    Richard Phillips leads VWV's Watford office. He is an experienced M&A and corporate finance specialist with particular expertise in the healthcare sector.

    • Richard's legal acumen and attention to detail were essential to achieving a successful outcome.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • Band 2Emma Cameron
    Band 2Emma Cameron

    Emma Cameron

    Emma Cameron is a member of VWV's technology sector group, and she regularly advises tech businesses on sales to private equity. She also advises on joint venture arrangements and fundraisings.

    • Emma will work all the hours of the day and night to get the deal over the line. Her wealth of experience means she is able to advise on complex matters with relative ease.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
    • Emma has excellent knowledge and fantastic client management skills, and she produces excellent work.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
  • Band 3Samantha Chaney
    Band 3Samantha Chaney

    Samantha Chaney

    Samantha Chaney offers strength in M&A and corporate financings across a range of sectors, particularly education. She counts a number of prominent SMEs, entrepreneurs and early-stage companies among her clients.

    • Samantha is highly knowledgeable and able to explain legalities in a way that makes sense to someone not from a legal background.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
    • Samantha's excellence makes her stand out from the crowd.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK
    • Sam has a wonderful ability to demystify complex legal matters, clauses and articles, whilst remaining firm and focused in delivering important guidance to the client on issues that matter.

      Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at VWV (3)

Thames Valley

Members

Provided by VWV

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