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 series of Q&As with our 2021 50 Most Influentials.
This week we spoke with Forsters' private client partner Nick Jacob. Nick has a particular focus on acting for families in Asia, spending time in the region every month. His clients include trustees, overseas investors, family offices and many very wealthy entrepreneurs. A significant amount of his work is for international families, with a particular focus on South East Asia, China, Russia, Switzerland and the Channel Islands.
What have been your proudest personal/team achievements this year?
Winning two STEP awards in 2020 for Private Client team of the year and International Private Client team of the year.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Make lots of professional friends early in your career; that will last you a professional lifetime.
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
Being a psychologist as well as a lawyer.
What challenges do you see your firm/clients facing in 2021?
Increasing regulation and geopolitical challenges.
What does being named a 50 Most Influential mean to you?
It's good to be recognised by one's juniors in the team.
What is the favourite part of your job?
Training and educating younger lawyers.
What made you choose to focus on private client work?
Being empathetic with people and the intellectual challenge.
What book/luxury item would you want with you on a desert island?
Book – Bleak House by Charles Dickens/Luxury Item – CD player (with a multitude of disks of course)
If you were not in (and it is not) your current role, what would be your dream job?
I can't think of anything better than my current role – perhaps without the admin and regulatory hassle.
What are your favourite hobbies/passions/interests outside of work?
Playing tennis & skiing, spectating cricket & rugby, opera and travelling.
What one piece of advice has benefited you the most in your career?
Don't try to sell to people what don't want; find out what they do want/need and sell that to them.
