Browne Jacobson welcomes Professor Janice Kay CBE as higher education special adviser

Browne Jacobson has strengthened its growing higher education practice by appointing a special adviser with deep experience in the sector.

As the UK and Ireland law firm’s first higher education special adviser, Professor Janice Kay CBE will provide strategic input and support engagement with the higher education sector.

Her experience includes two decades in senior positions at the University of Exeter, including as Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor for nine years until August 2023.

She was also special adviser to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lisa Roberts, until July 2024, and earlier this year co-founded Higher Futures, a company that supports universities and sector organisations to deliver in challenging financial circumstances.

Professor Kay said: “This is a hugely exciting time to be collaborating with Browne Jacobson as the firm seeks to develop its higher education offering, and when the sector’s requirement for support from its legal advisers will become more important than ever.

“The higher education sector is going through significant challenges right now amid a broad range of external headwinds, making it vital for universities to identify the right strategy to address these and be in a position to deliver on their objectives.

“I will look to use my experience of working inside the sector over the past 20 years to offer strategic advice and counsel, which will help to ensure the firm’s expertise is aligned to have the greatest impact in supporting the higher education sector.”

Browne Jacobson’s sector-leading education practice supports higher education institutions, research bodies, schools, academy trusts, local authorities, education charities and executive government on a full range of services.

It is consistently ranked in Band One nationally for its education sector expertise by leading independent legal directories and has won the Legal Advisor of the Year – to Education Institutions category at the Education Investor Awards a record seven times.

The higher education team supports senior leadership, management and in-house legal teams at higher education institutions with strategic decision-making and risk management, as well as advising on matters such as equality and discrimination, student welfare, disciplinary and regulatory.

Bettina Rigg, Head of Higher Education at Browne Jacobson, added: “Bringing Janice on board as a strategic adviser and ambassador is a fantastic addition to our growing higher education team, and we are excited about the role she can play as we continue to offer a wide range of trusted, practical legal solutions to universities.

“Calling on 20 years’ experience in senior roles at a Russell Group university, she can provide a unique insight into the sector’s inner workings, additional strategic input to our engagement with the higher education sector, and assist in developing new partnerships between universities and our wider client base.

“Higher education is at the forefront of society’s biggest issues and, as it undergoes rapid change in the legal, regulatory and commercial landscape, we look forward to supporting institutions to deliver excellence in their regions, nationally and globally.”