In-house Independent Schools Specialist Joins VWV

Chief Operating Officer of Taunton School, Nikki Miller joins VWV as Schools Advisor.

Barney Northover, head of VWV's Independent Schools Sector commented on Nikki's appointment:

"We are delighted that Nikki will be joining us to support our legal and consultancy services for schools. Nikki will be joining our regulatory compliance team and offering consultancy advice and support, investigations, strategy reviews, training and mentoring for us and our clients. As an ISI compliance inspector, Nikki has hands-on experience of managing and inspecting education compliance in day and boarding schools. She also has a proven track record of delivering compliance in data protection, information security, anti-money laundering, charity law, tier 4 immigration, pensions (she is also a pension trustee) and employment. Her practical experience in managing these and delivering transformational change will further add to the services we have developed to support schools."

Nikki adds:

“I am thrilled to be joining VWV and look forward to supporting Heads, Bursars, senior staff and Governors with practical, school-focussed advice in this ever-changing world. In particular, the education and safeguarding lawyers at VWV are in my professional view, cutting edge, and it is such a great opportunity to now be working alongside them".

After a rewarding military career in finance and operations, Nikki qualified as an accountant before moving to the Independent Schools sector. Her core skills of leadership (she is a leadership consultant) and strategic planning, combined with a focus on whole-school compliance, served her well in the combined role of Bursar and Clerk to Governors at Port Regis and latterly Taunton School where she worked for nearly 15 years. She will continue to provide some support to Taunton School until such time as a new COO is established in post.

Simon Heald, VWV Managing Partner commented:

"As a law firm, we are always looking for ways to enhance and develop our services and bring more value to clients. In 2022, one such strategic development was our joining forces with Cairneagle, strategy consultants.

"Nikki's appointment is another example of how we are prepared to bring complementary skills and expertise into the business and recognise the value this will deliver for our clients.

"The role of a Schools Advisor is part of our ongoing development and holistic approach to supporting schools and other education businesses through times of change and opportunity."

About VWV

The Education sector at VWV is nationally recognised, enjoying the top spot in law firm rankings (as compiled by independent legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners). The firm has provided support in the sector for over 30 years and in the independent sector has over 700 current clients, both individual schools and groups, UK-based and international, charitable and proprietorial, many of which are household names. The firm has been recognised by Education Investor (in successive years winning the top Deal Maker Award and Legal Advisers to Education Institutions awards).

VWV also advises and provides training to school associations, in the independent sector including the ISC, AGBIS, HMC, GSA, BSA, IAPS and the ISBA.

The regulatory compliance team specialises in complex, sensitive and high profile cases which raise multi-disciplinary issues, including a focus on reputation protection. The firm has developed services beyond pure legal advice in response to client need, covering issues such as strategic advice to governing bodies, for example on domestic and international strategies and response to political risk; investment partner search; HR solutions, investigations, compliance services and e-learning.