The eprivateclient 50 Most Influential is the definitive rankings of the key players in the UK and offshore private client practitioner sector.
To showcase the achievements of those listed this year and to get to know them a bit better, eprivateclient has begun publishing a new Q&A series with our 2021 50 Most Influentials.
This week we spoke to Smith & Williamson’s Joss Dalrymple, partner & group head of client services. His role encompasses virtually every aspect of family finances, including tax planning, budgeting and cash flow, school fees planning, deferring income for the younger generation and asset allocation. He is experienced in acting as executor, helping with pre-nuptial agreements and in disputes between generations. Joss also advises on charitable trusts and giving.
What have been your proudest personal/team achievements this year?
Keeping in touch with as many clients as possible to support and assist them during these difficult times.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Learn as much as you can from your senior colleagues. I was very fortunate to work for a number of senior partners and I learnt so much from them on how they approached difficult personal issues with their clients. They demonstrated tremendous skills of empathy and a grasp of technical issues (which they could explain simply and articulately) to continually come up with proactive solutions. Therefore learn everything you can from senior people and above all the learning never stops!
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
Advising and helping a wide range of private clients and their families providing them with proactive forward thinking solutions.
What challenges do you see your firm/clients facing in 2021?
Macro-economic issues/tax changes/stock markets and liquidity volatility.
What does being named a 50 Most Influential mean to you?
A huge amount! It is a great honour, particularly being included amongst such distinguished practitioners.
What is the favourite part of your job?
Working in a team of other collaborative advisers with my own colleagues for the greater good of our mutual clients.
What made you choose to focus on private client work?
I very much enjoy people and like helping and advising people to solve their issues.
What book/luxury item would you want with you on a desert island?
War and Peace / Radio 4.
If you were not in (and it is not) your current role, what would be your dream job?
Running an equestrian yard of event horses.
What’s your favourite hobbies/passions/interests outside of work?
All things equestrian particularly horse trials. I used to compete quite seriously to three star level. I now follow my children on their ponies and am joint District Commissioner of the Tedworth Pony Club with my wife Sophie.
What one piece of advice has benefited you the most in your career?
Bring solutions to the table not problems, remember we are servants of our clients and only in place because of their goodwill and never “ ruin” anyone’s day through bad temper and ill humour.