Author
Matthew Howling
Matthew Howling is a principal associate at Mills & Reeve. Matthew is a specialist in banking and finance law, with a particular emphasis on the not-for-profit sector. He advises lenders and borrowers on all aspects of debt finance. In recent years, Matthew has been at the forefront of advising not-for-profit entities on public bond issues, private placements and traditional bank facilities.
7 pieces
Newest first, since June 2024
· Comment
What do the OfS’ new risk categories really tell us about financial viability
Matthew Howling outlines the gap between what the Office for Students’ framework says and what its risk categories might mean for providers under financial pressure
· Comment
How DfE could design a university transformation and restructuring programme
Matthew Howling considers how government financing for HE transformation could best complement institutions’ existing financial arrangements with lenders
· Comment
What are the responsibilities and liabilities of boards of governors during times of strategic change?
The public critique of higher education governance is making some boards anxious. Poppy Short, Matthew Howling, Richard Sykes and Debbie McVitty work through what can reasonably be expected from governors when sustainabi
With Poppy Short, Richard Sykes and Debbie McVitty
· Comment
The higher education sector needs an honest broker to support structural change
As a white paper on the future of post-16 education is expected imminently, Matthew Howling and Poppy Short make the case for the appointment of an HE Commissioner to facilitate mergers and other forms of radical collabo
With Poppy Short
· Comment
OfS insight on institutional closure lacks a firm statutory foundation
A new briefing from OfS offers learning from handling institutional closure. Matthew Howling, Neil Smyth, and Richard Sykes explain why even the best-intentioned insight can’t mitigate for a legal vacuum
With Neil Smyth and Richard Sykes
· Research
Connect more: creating the conditions for a more resilient and sustainable HE sector in England
Wonkhe and Mills & Reeve have been exploring how stronger connections between providers could prepare the sector to face the future as well as tackle today’s financial challenges – and what’s missing from the current leg
With Debbie McVitty, Poppy Short and Sarah Seed
· Comment
How an incoming government could act immediately to stabilise universities at risk of financial collapse
The new government needs to walk the line between allowing universities to collapse and pledging to protect them indefinitely. Sarah Seed, Matthew Howling and Debbie McVitty think they have found a way of doing that
With Sarah Seed and Debbie McVitty