ThoughtLeaders4 High Net Worth Litigation, Advisory & Divorce Magazine • ISSUE 20
60 SECONDS WITH… VICTORIA HOWARTH LEGAL DIRECTOR PAYNE HICKS BEACH
Q: What is one work related goal you would like to achieve in the next five years?
A: I’m a knowledge lawyer and I’d like to keep raising awareness of what knowledge lawyers do. Our role can sometimes (wrongly!) Be seen as a bit esoteric, but it’s a brilliant mix of innovation, strategy, problem-solving, project management, inclusivity and interaction with people across all areas of the business. Every knowledge lawyer does things differently, but we all play such a crucial role in setting and maintaining the high standards of work in our firms.
Q: What cause are you passionate about?
A: The Scout movement is fantastic. The perfect antidote to our rigid education system and run by truly incredible volunteers.
Q: What does the perfect weekend look like?
A: My Brompton, lovely Walthamstow friends, a trip to our new Soho Theatre for some comedy after sushi at the old Manzes pie and mash shop, a Sunday morning run and probably quite a lot of mud, trumpet-playing, swimming, singing and unicorns.
Q: What has been the best piece of advice you have been given in your career?
A: Identify something outside of work that makes you feel strong and well – then do everything you can to keep doing it at least weekly. Also when things get tricky, remember to breathe.
Q: What is the best film of all time?
A: The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Superhero films aren’t necessarily my thing, but I am completely biased about this one because my husband features in it as an extra. He was filming during summer 2024 at Pinewood and would come home at 5am after a night shoot with tales of 1960s New York, rockets and a silver alien which was all slightly baffling at the time. Everything made more sense on the exciting big screen when the film was finally released a year later.
Q: What do you see as the most rewarding thing about your job?
A: I love solving problems across the private client department and wider firm, developing and supporting everyone and – I hope – helping my colleagues to enjoy their work more.
Q: How do you deal with stress in your work life?
A: I’m so lucky to work with some absolutely lovely, super-smart and genuinely brilliant people at Payne Hicks Beach. I have been reduced to tears of laughter on a number of occasions by my very entertaining colleagues. But I always find walking around the beautiful Inner Temple Garden near our offices makes me calm if I need it. The Garden seems to change in extraordinary ways every time I visit and it is my favourite place in central London.
Q: What is one important skill that you think everyone should have?
A: Being able to make a decent ganache has got me out of cake-related trouble a number of times. Highly recommend.
Q: What book do you think everyone should read, and why?
A: Mog the Forgetful Cat. I think most people have probably already read it or had it read to them (even better), but if not it’s a classic. Particularly if you have a cat in your life. And Judith Kerr’s illustrations are fabulous of course.
Q: What’s your go to relaxing activities to destress after a long day at work?
A: Inferno Pilates. Banging tunes and insanely hard exercises in 38 degrees of heat. Honestly addictive.
First published online in ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce Issue Magazine Issue 20, October 2025 and reproduced with kind permission.
To read Victoria’s full interview, found on page 31-32, click here: https://thoughtleaders4.com/images/uploads/pdf/HNW_Magazine_Next_Gen_Wealth_Edition_2025.pdf
For further information, please contact Victoria Howarth or your usual contact in the Private Client Department or, alternatively, telephone on 020 7465 4300.
