A look at the most read stories on eprivateclient this week…
Tuesday
HMRC lost its case against prominent divorce lawyer Raymond Tooth, in what was described by the private wealth sector as a “pyrrhic victory”. The case related to a £500,000 tax bill. Mr Tooth successfully argued that he should not have to pay the tax due for taking part in the Romangate tax avoidance scheme — which was used by 500 people including the comedian Jimmy Carr — because HMRC took too long to investigate his affairs.
Corporate, private client and funds services provider Hawksford made two hires within its corporate team. Darren Toudic, who has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, has been appointed as director while Sophie Hay has joined as manager.
Wednesday
UK law firm Harbottle & Lewis promoted two new partners - Siena Gold in the private client & tax team and Brian Aris, who is chief operating officer. At the same time, the firm promoted four to senior associate. These are: Clare McGarry, Katrien Roos and Harry Bresslaw, all within the film, TV and theatre team. Edward Lane has been promoted in the corporate team.
London-based accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg completed its rebrand of Ress Pollock, an accountancy and business advisory firm. The firm was acquired by Blick Rothenberg in 2019 but has now undergone a rebrand to Blick Rothenberg. Founded in 1990, Rees Pollock is now the financial services team at Blick Rothenberg.
Thursday
2020 eprivateclient Top 35 Under 35 Ian Goodsell was promoted to partner at Big 4 advisory firm Deloitte. Mr Goodsell, who was also named as a Top 35 Under 35 in 2015, 2017 and 2019 has worked at Deloitte since 2008 when he joined the firm as a graduate. He works in the firm’s private client services team, focusing on complex and wealthy individuals, their family offices and businesses.
London law firm Payne Hicks Beach made six internal promotions, including two new partners and three senior associates, across the firm’s family, dispute resolution and private client departments. Catherine Costley and Andrew Willan were made up to partner within the family and dispute resolution practices respectively. In addition, Clare Hetherington, Klara Kronbergs, and Dean Ryan were promoted to senior associate and Benedict Jennings to senior tax and trust manager in the firm's private client team.
Friday
London-based law firm Simons Muirhead Burton enticed Rosalyn Breedy to move across from Wedlake Bell to launch a new funds and private wealth practice. Ms Breedy has 30 years’ experience, having started her legal career at Slaughter & May in 1991, followed by stints at – among others - Pinsent Curtis (now Pinsent Masons), Withers, Forsters (where she was a partner between 2013 and 2015) and finally Wedlake Bell where she was a partner from 2015.
UK law firm BDB Pitmans’ Southampton office scored a charity goal by becoming the official charity law partner of Saints Foundation, Southampton Football Club’s charity. As the official law firm partner, BDB Pitmans will provide the charity with pro-bono advice and further legal advice for the duration of the agreement. The Saints Foundation - which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year - aims to transform the lives of the local people by encouraging them to be more involved, active and empowered in the community.