A look back at the most popular stories on eprivateclient this week...
Monday
The eprivateclient Excellence Awards Judging Panel named 26 firms on the shortlist of finalists and commended firms across 10 Award categories. A broad range of firms have made the list for the 2023 eprivateclient Excellence Awards programme, which is focused exclusively on recognising the outstanding achievements of firms across the UK and offshore legal, tax, fiduciary and advisory professions over the past year. The results will be announced on Thursday 8 June at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. Click here to see the shortlist.
Boutique UK private client law firm - The Burnside Partnership – hired Caroline Belam as a partner as it continues to grow its London presence and international practice. Ms Belam joined from international law firm, Taylor Wessing. Ms Belam – who is based at the firm’s London office - advises both UK and non-UK based clients on a broad range of private wealth matters, including the preparation of UK tax efficient Wills, advising on UK personal tax and estate planning, and the preparation and registration of lasting powers of attorney.
Tuesday
International law firm Withers grew its Geneva-based Swiss practice with the addition of new partner Berry Bloomberg, who joined the firm from Burges Salmon. Mr Bloomberg - who worked at Burges Salmon for almost 15 years - is a tax and trust specialist, representing clients on asset holding structures, the taxation of offshore trusts and companies and negotiating tax disclosures with tax authorities.
Harnessing the power of private capital and developing the connection between a client’s private wealth and their corporate entities remains a key focus for international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, the firm’s senior partner, Bart Peerless, explained to eprivateclient. [Read more]
Wednesday
Boutique accountancy firm Wilson Partners appointed Sarah Clarke as a tax director. Ms Clarke is a private client tax adviser with over 10 years' experience focusing mainly on income tax, capital gains tax (CGT) and inheritance tax (IHT) for both UK and overseas high net worth individuals. She joined Wilson Partners from accountancy firm Crowe UK after nearly seven years, where she was most recently a senior private client tax manager.
Wealth management and professional services firm Evelyn Partners appointed Rajat Nayyar as a tax director in its Newcastle office. His appointment comes on the back of Evelyn Partners’ acquisition of North of England accountancy and tax firm Leathers in February and forms part of the firm’s growth plans for its professional services business in the North of England. Mr Nayyar has over 15 years’ experience advising clients on a broad range of tax issues and works with a wide range of businesses from start-ups to large multinational business.
Thursday
Family law firm 4PB’s joint head of chambers Barbara Mills KC was elected as vice chair for the Bar Council for 2024. She will begin her tenure from 1 January 2024, becoming the first family law specialist to take up the role in 35 years, alongside being the first person of colour to hold the position. Ms Mills joined the set in 1990 and was appointed as a KC in 2020. She was promoted to joint head of chambers in December 2022.
Trust and fiduciary services provider Zedra received a minority investment from British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), one of Canada’s largest institutional investors. This investment, announced in March 2022, has now been approved by all relevant authorities. Corsair, Zedra’s existing majority investor, will remain the lead shareholder following the transaction. This new investment will not affect the ongoing operations of Zedra, whose management team will continue to hold a significant shareholding in the company.
Friday
Judgment was handed down in the case of DR v UG [2023] EWFC 68 following a trial in the High Court heard by Mr Justice Moor in March 2023. The wife - represented by the family team at international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys - has been awarded 50 percent of the parties’ assets which amounted to £284 million in total after the husband failed in his argument that there should be a departure from equality on the basis of “special contribution” and “post-separation endeavour”. [Read more]
London law firm Payne Hicks Beach promoted Joshua Moger to partner in its family team. Mr Moger – who was named as an eprivateclient Top 35 Under 35 in 2022 - has become a partner at just seven years’ qualification, having risen quickly through the ranks after being made a senior associate in 2019. Working primarily with Baroness Fiona Shackleton and head of the firm’s family team, Rebecca Cockcroft, Mr Moger is experienced in complex divorce and children proceedings for high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients.