Browne Jacobson has recruited Kate Gallagher from a Russell Group university as its new head of higher education.
Kate Gallagher joins the UK and Ireland law firm from the University of Nottingham, where she was General Counsel and Director of Legal Services, a department she established.
She has more than 25 years’ experience both in private practice – with previous roles at Shoosmiths, Hammonds and Eversheds Sutherland – and as one of the higher education sector’s most experienced in-house lawyers.
Kate was an active member of the Association of University Legal Practitioners (AULP) for 15 years and a committee member for several years. She was also part of the Employment Lawyers Association’s in-house committee.
Her recruitment is an important part of the succession plan for Browne Jacobson’s higher education practice, which is currently led by Bettina Rigg. Bettina will continue to play an active role, working with Kate and Nick MacKenzie, Head of Education, in supporting the transition.
Kate said: “Browne Jacobson is highly-regarded in the education sector for its market-leading legal advice, practical support and expert consultancy. Watching from afar, I have been impressed by how the firm has developed its reputation, which is why this feels like a fantastic time to join the firm.
'Having worked in both private practice and in-house for the sector, I am keenly aware of the complex financial and structural challenges that universities face right now.
'However, my experience has shown that there are always exciting opportunities for universities to play a central role in tackling some of society’s biggest issues, and to promote economic growth by commercialising world-class research projects into viable products and services.
'With a background in education employment, I look forward to collaborating closely with our specialists in this service to help us make the most of the opportunity to grow employment and related work in the HE sector.'
Bettina said: 'In Kate, we have found someone with fantastic experience who will help the team I to build on our achievements across our HE practice.
'I look forward to working with Kate and Nick in supporting this transition and driving forward our offer to HE clients now and in the future.'
Kate’s hire follows the appointment of Professor Janice Kay CBE as a special adviser to Browne Jacobson’s higher education team in September. Prof Kay, whose experience includes two decades in senior positions at the University of Exeter, provides strategic input and supports engagement with the HE sector.
Nick (pictured with Kate) added: 'We are thrilled to bring in Kate to lead the next stage of our HE growth journey, building on the strategic recruitments we made to strengthen our wider education practice last year.
'When Bettina joined us in 2020, she did so with the intention of helping the firm create a market-leading practice. We have made excellent strides against this ambition and Bettina will continue to be an active force in delivering our strategy as the practice goes from strength to strength.
'The combination of Kate and Bettina, supported by the rest of the HE team and Professor Janice Kay as our industry-aligned expert, offers a compelling proposition to universities as they go through a period of transformation and look at new models to help deliver costs efficiencies.'
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