The head of our Corporate and Commercial team and our co-lead of CooperBurnett, alongside Joseph Oates, she joined TeamCB on 23 April 1996, qualified two years later and became a Partner in 2001.
Apparently, she ended up here due to a chance conversation her Mother had with an estate agent, who was selling the family home in Chelsfield. He told his contacts at CooperBurnett that there was the potential to snap-up an amazing trainee lawyer and the next thing she knew, Victoria was called in for an interview.
Between now and 23 April, we’re going to share some words about Victoria from people who have encountered her during those past 30 years - from those who have walked alongside her since her early days at CooperBurnett to individuals in our business community who have met her more recently. Watch this space for ‘reflections on Victoria’ and please do feel free to share your memories too.
Jonathan Smithers
It seems appropriate to start our series of ‘reflections on Victoria’ by talking to one of the people who interviewed Victoria back in 1996 for his memories. Here’s what Jonathan Smithers, former CooperBurnett Partner and previous President of the Law Society of England and Wales, says:
“I remember well Victoria’s interview, with John Tickner, Nigel Burnett and myself. Bringing her into the firm was one of the easiest decisions and certainly one of the best we ever made.
Victoria has made an extraordinary contribution to CooperBurnett, to the legal profession and to the business community in Tunbridge Wells over the last 30 years. There are so many words one might use but perhaps the best is ‘service’.
Victoria’s never-ending energy and tenacity is always driven by her desire to serve, whether it be her clients, the firm, organisations like the Law Society and local Chambers of Commerce, or charities.
Now, 30 years later, Victoria’s light burns just as brightly and is a magnificent example to others. Congratulations on this milestone and never forget to keep reaching for the stars!”
James Pavlou
During the pandemic, that time when we were allowed out for a walk became very precious. Having exhausted various routes around her neighbourhood, Victoria was excited when her friend, James Pavlou, started to document some of his favourite walks in and around Tonbridge.
Locals wanted to find out more, so James launched Walk Tonbridge as a platform to share his different walks. This led to the Walk Tonbridge Festival in 2021, which CooperBurnett LLP has supported since the beginning. Here James shares his ‘reflections on Victoria’ as she marks 30 years with CooperBurnett:
“I first met Victoria at our NCT group some 15 years ago. Although our 'babies' have grown up far too quickly, we've remained friends throughout! Between then and now I founded Walk Tonbridge and, from the get-go, Victoria has been incredibly supportive.
Her enthusiasm and professional expertise have been called on at several points on this journey but most notably when establishing the Walk Tonbridge Festival. Victoria was there from the beginning of this community project and, together with her team at CooperBurnett, has been instrumental in helping us raise thousands for Sustain foodbank and other good causes.
Victoria is always there at the start line, firing up our walkers with her passionate energy, and then there at the finish to give out much needed hugs and words of encouragement. Victoria's backing has truly instilled a sense of self-belief, for which I am consistently grateful.”
Nick Green
As we continue to celebrate 30 years of Victoria Sampson, it seems appropriate to talk to one of the many local professionals she has worked alongside during that time. Now retired, Nick Green, first met Victoria when he was with Lloyds Bank and remembers how supportive she was when he went on to establish Handelsbanken’s branch in Tunbridge Wells.
“Victoria (or VLS) - where do I start! I first met Victoria c25 years ago when we were both ‘young’ professionals working the Tunbridge Wells patch and at that time would both have qualified for the ‘Next Generation’ networking events – yes, it was that long ago!
The first time I was seriously impressed by Victoria was in my Lloyds Bank days when she came as my guest to a networking event, which I seem to recall was at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium. There, we were met with a room full of fellow professionals, the majority of whom neither of us knew. To watch Victoria work a room was a) impressive, b) fascinating and c) inspiring and a lesson in how to do it properly!
Victoria’s personal support to me, when I started the local branch of Handelsbanken in 2008 was immense, always there with a wise word and someone who really took the time to understand why we were different and what we were trying to achieve. She was a great support in helping us develop and build our business locally.
Victoria has since become one of the ‘old guard’ in Tunbridge Wells, a constant, consistent, professional, diligent, reliable, proficient, articulate, charismatic, supportive, charitable and just a downright unique, decent human being, who underpins all that is good about the Tunbridge Wells business community.
Above all else, I count Victoria as a good friend – thank you!”
Louise Wright
Over the past 30 years at CooperBurnett LLP, Victoria Sampson has championed our firm’s engagement with our local community and charity partnerships. She spent some time as an Ambassador for ellenor [the children’s hospice charity], and it was there Louise Wright (then the charity’s Fundraising Manager and currently Fundraising Manager at Leeds Castle) first met her. Here are her ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“Victoria was well known to me before I met her - her reputation went before her - and I knew, when we did finally get to speak, we would get on. She had not long had her beautiful boy and was therefore totally empathetic to the ellenor Childrens Hospice at Home service (CHYPS) in Tunbridge Wells, which had just started up.
When we met, ‘how can I help?’ were her first words to me and she turned out to be enormously helpful; she advocated not just for the hospice but also for me. She gave me a leg up in the Tunbridge Wells community by introducing me to lots of like-minded people. She helped at events, she spoke at presentations and introduced ellenor where she could, eventually becoming an Ambassador for the hospice for many years
Later, we reconnected, through DAVSS and, once again, she was kind, thoughtful and so pleased that CooperBurnett was making a huge difference to lives of many women and men who were experiencing domestic abuse in and around Tunbridge Wells.
An abiding memory is, having dinner at an event I had organised, we shared some of our life stories and chatted away throughout the evening. Whenever we meet, she is always full of fun with lots of sage and fruity advice! While, we don’t see each other as often now, I am always keen to make sure I am up to date with her news and see what she is up to.
Thirty years at CooperBurnett is a real milestone and I hope Victoria truly celebrates all she has achieved and all those people and charities she has championed over the years; she really has made a difference. And like me, I am sure there are many people who couldn’t have done without the ‘V effect’ in their lives!”
Paul Fleming
Within our Corporate and Commercial team, there are clients that have been with us as long as Victoria Sampson has been here and TEK Group is one such example. As she celebrates 30 years with TeamCB, Paul Fleming, CEO of TEK Group, shares his ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“Many congratulation to Victoria on her very impressive 30-year work anniversary — a milestone that reflects both her dedication and the trusted relationship she has built with clients over the decades.
For the past 30 years Victoria and the team at CooperBurnett have provided invaluable legal support to both me and my company, guiding us through myriad legal matters with professionalism, clarity and care.
From day-to-day legal advice to more complex challenges, Victoria has always been a valuable and reliable partner, helping ensure our business has remained protected and well supported. Her knowledge and practical approach, combined with her sense of fun in a serious world, have made it a real pleasure to work with her as we navigate the legal challenges of a growing business.
Congratulations to Victoria on such a remarkable achievement.”
Gary Sargeant
At the recent Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce breakfast ahead of this year’s West Kent Expo, Victoria Sampson spoke about the importance of collaboration between businesses across the region. Gary Sargeant FCA, Director at accountancy firm, Sargeant Partnership Limited in Swanley, is just one local professional who has seen Victoria’s collaborative spirit in action. Here are his ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“I was invited on a small networking event in the late 1990s - a gastronomic day trip to France including wine buying! Victoria was also invited and the event was a lot of fun, with too much wine consumed. We instantly became friends and agreed to meet to see if there were areas we could work together on.
I would say that chance meeting was one of the most important to the future of this firm. At the time, I wanted to build a commercial relationship with a solicitor who had the same values as me on customer service and value for money. Over nearly 30 years, we have worked together on many transactions and matters that have been very important to my clients. At the same time, Victoria has built a team in a similar mould and both Katie Hilsdon and Sarah Strong have been immensely helpful with a big tax planning exercise I have been undertaking for a client.
Over the years, we have both made numerous client recommendations to each other; many who have now been clients for decades.
Victoria has not only been important to my clients but to me professionally. She has always been involved in almost all my personal legal matters; she will always take the call or get back to me.”
Jennifer Irving
CooperBurnett’s Management Board consists of Victoria Sampson, Joseph Oates and Jennifer Irving. Head of Residential Property, Jennifer, has been with TeamCB for more than 20 years. Here are her ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“Victoria has been a fantastic support to me during my time at CooperBurnett, words I would use to describe her would be fair, loyal, thoughtful, strong, determined, noisy (!) and most of all, KIND!”
Nick Moore
In her 30 years at CooperBurnett LLP, Victoria Sampson has graced the pages of our local business media on many occasions. Here, Nick Moore, Managing Director, JJL Media & Marketing Ltd (and CEO of Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine) provides his ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“Many will be aware Victoria has built an exceptional career at CooperBurnett, but her reputation across the business community is built not only on outstanding legal expertise but on a rare balance of professionalism, empathy and genuine warmth.
For me personally, over the years Victoria has been a trusted sounding board and someone whose advice I have valued as my own ventures and projects have grown. Like many in Tunbridge Wells, I’ve always admired Victoria’s commitment and support to the town, her profession and her ‘Tribe’, as she calls them.
So, as she celebrates an incredible 30 years at CooperBurnett, I simply want to say ‘congratulations and thank you’. Here’s to a remarkable milestone and many more successes ahead!”
Jess Gibson
Over the past 30 years, Victoria Sampson has supported myriad business owners – whether in a professional sense or simply with some encouraging words at a networking event or over a coffee. Here Jess Gibson, Founder of The TN Card and The TN Awards Company, shares her ‘reflections on Victoria’, along with a photo of the day they met:
“I had the joy of meeting Victoria four years ago when we were panellists together for Make It Your Business and I knew right away that she was special.
Victoria is someone you absolutely want in your corner. As a female small business owner, I’ve turned to her time and again for trusted advice, and I value her judgement enormously. She has played a huge part in the success of The TN Card and, more recently, in supporting me as my business awards have grown. She inspires me to be braver and more confident in my leadership.
Victoria is hugely respected in the business world but what I admire most is how she continues to show up for everyone. She always has time, she always listens and she always cares. Victoria shows that you can be incredibly successful and still lead with kindness and integrity.
I cannot overstate how much she has helped me, both in my business journey and personally.
Victoria, thank you my friend, and congratulations on an extraordinary 30 years. Here’s to many more!”
Chris Winning
Another local professional who knew Victoria since the very start of her career is local (now retired) banker, Chris Winning. Here are his ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“I recall meeting both Victoria Sampson and Nigel Burnett when working in the Private Banking arm of Bank of Ireland in Berkeley Square, around 1996/7. I’m not quite sure how we initially met, but living in Tunbridge Wells it might well have been on a golf course or at a networking event locally. Anyway, we all built a great rapport immediately, so quickly CooperBurnett was added to the Bank’s ‘solicitor’s panel’.
I was always impressed with Victoria’s professionalism and efficiency. Always great fun to be with, both professionally and personally, even skiing together once in France many years ago. As a family, we have always recommended and used CooperBurnett for their legal services and been very happy with the results. Many congratulations Victoria on 30 years at TeamCB…”
Emma Lander
CooperBurnett LLP is set to support the Walk Tonbridge Festival for a sixth year running and Victoria Sampson has always been passionate about this event and its support of Sustain, the food bank based at Tonbridge Baptist Church. Here Emma Lander, Community Lead at Tonbridge Baptist Church, shares her ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“I first met Victoria as a fellow school mum a few years ago and our daughters remain firm friends. Victoria has shown a keen interest in the community work we do at Tonbridge Baptist Church and has been incredibly supportive of both the food bank and of the regular charity sales we run for the community.
Victoria's enthusiastic support of the annual Walk Tonbridge Marathon is infectious and inspiring and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for continuing to choose to support our food bank. The Marathon is our biggest fundraiser of the year and the funds she has helped to raise have helped keep food on the tables of hundreds of local families who are struggling to make ends meet. Walk Tonbridge Marathon is always a wonderful day, made all the better by Victoria’s can-do fun-loving spirit.
Victoria is also always open to new ideas and has been so supportive of initiatives that aim to positively impact the lives of local primary school children who come from low income backgrounds. Thank you so much Victoria and Happy Workaversary!”
Lynne Gadsden
Many of Victoria Sampson’s professional connections have, over the past 30 years, become firm friends. Lynne Gadsden from Eight Financial Advice and co-founder of enTWine is one of those. Here are her ‘reflections on Victoria’.
“What can I say about Victoria - my wonderful fellow professional and friend! We first met around 15 years ago while networking in Tunbridge Wells. As busy professional women raising families, we instantly connected and found plenty in common. Over time, our relationship has grown both professionally and personally, especially since we co-founded
our wonderful group, enTWine.
Having both served as Presidents of the West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we’d crossed paths many times. When the Chamber closed in 2020, Victoria, Pam (Loch) and I met - mid pandemic - and came up with a slightly mad (which describes the two of us well!) idea of creating a supportive business community.
enTWine reflects who we are: fun-loving (with plenty of themed gatherings), sociable (often with a glass of wine), and, above all, warm and welcoming. Five and a half years on, the group continues to thrive. Even more importantly, my friendship with Victoria has become truly special - one I know will last for many years to come.”
Paula Armstrong
In a recent interview with Kent Life Magazine, Victoria Sampson described her PA, Paula Armstrong, as epitomising ‘all that is great about TeamCB!’. Paula has been by Victoria’s side for many years and probably spends more time with her and knows her better than anyone. As Victoria marks 30 years with CooperBurnett today, here are her ‘reflections on Victoria’:
“When asked to write a few words about Victoria and this wonderful anniversary, I said a resounding yes! I have been lucky enough to work with Victoria for many years and I can honestly say every day has been a joy.
We have laughed together and cried together and I couldn’t wish for a more thoughtful and caring friend. There are so many standout days we have shared, too many to mention, and I treasure every memory.
As a boss, Victoria leads with integrity, vision and compassion. She inspires excellence not through pressure but through belief in her colleagues; creating an environment where people feel valued, happy, capable and motivated to do their best work.
Thirty years at one company is an incredible achievement. What truly stands out, though, is the positive impact Victoria has had on the business, her team and everyone fortunate enough to work with her. I’m truly grateful for her kindness and support, and I’m proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone.”
Joseph Oates
The last word on Victoria Sampson’s amazing 30 years at CooperBurnett LLP today must go to Joseph Oates, who has co-led the firm with her since 2018. Here are his reflections on Victoria:
“Having spent the last 27 of Victoria’s 30 years working with her at CooperBurnett I can say, without hesitation, what a superstar she is.
Her professionalism and diligence go without saying, but what marks her out throughout her career (spent wholly as a solicitor with the firm) is her sheer enthusiasm to deliver the best for her clients and the firm. Victoria has a self-declared passion for TeamCB and delivering her leading role within it. It is with massive thanks from the firm to her, for spending the last 30 years with us and making CooperBurnett so successful on every level.
She’s even (quite) good at IT.”
