A look at the most read stories on eprivateclient this week…
Monday
The eprivateclient Excellence Awards Judging Panel nominated 27 firms on the shortlist of finalists and commended firms across 11 Award categories. The results will be announced on Thursday, 24 June via a live virtual gala dinner event.
Offshore law firm Bedell Cristin bolstered its international private client (IPC) team to support the growing demand for its IPC services globally. Fraser Allister is the newest member of the team, joining as managing associate in the firm’s Cayman office. A trust sector specialist, Mr Allister will advise private and institutional clients on all aspects of Cayman and BVI law.
Tuesday
UK law firms Wedlake Bell and Moon Beever announced they have agreed to merge with effect from 12 July this year. Wedlake Bell is a City law firm with core strengths across private client, real estate, business services and dispute resolution. The firm has 60 partners operating from its central City of London location near St Pauls. Moon Beever is well known for its insolvency and restructuring work as well as for private client, utilities and real estate. The firm has 11 partners based at its Gray’s Inn offices in the heart of legal London.
Michael Giraud – an eprivateclient Top 35 Under 35 in 2012 – was appointed as head of fiduciary services, Jersey at Standard Bank Group. he was previously a director at Accuro Fiduciary for over 10 years, having joined the trust services provider in 2011.
Wednesday
Transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has strengthened its private wealth team in Newcastle, UK, with the recruitment of Alison Bragg who joins from Nicholson Portnell in Hexham. Ms Bragg has wide-ranging experience in tax and estate planning.
The Jersey Financial Services Commissions (JFSC) has warned businesses to be vigilant when using personal devices and social media. These risks include the misuse of personal devices, such as sharing confidential information via social media and other messaging apps.
Thursday
Oak Group, a private client, corporate services and fund administration business, appointed Joe Woodward as managing director of its Mauritius operations. Mark Salmon, manager of Oak Mauritius, will join Mr Woodward on the board of Oak Mauritius, subject to regulatory approval.
Research by international real estate, residency and citizenship through investment firm Astons revealed that despite London trailing the rest of the market where house price growth is concerned, £56.2 billion worth of real estate has been sold across the capital since the start of last year.
Friday
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has once again donated huge sums to charity. The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has donated $2.74 billion (around £1.9 billion) across 286 “high-impact” organisations. Writing in a blog post, Ms Scott said she wants to “de-emphasise privileged voices and cede focus to others”.
Mourant, a law firm-led professional services business, appointed Amy Gurm and Geoff Cook to its affiliated business Mourant Consulting. The pair join former Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSSC) director, Mike Jones, who was appointed as managing director of the new consulting business last year.