A look back at the most read stories on eprivateclient this week…
Monday
It was revealed that 2020 eprivateclient 50 Most Influential Clare Stirzaker is joining Boodle Hatfield from PwC, where she led the Big Four advisory firm's private client legal team. Ms Stirzaker specialises in succession planning and related legal and tax matters for international private clients and family offices. She works with some of the world’s best privately owned businesses, focusing on how to develop the business and the family's wealth and philanthropic strategy, to achieve growth, diversification and longevity.
UK media, entertainment and commercial law firm Simkins launched a family department and the expanded its private client practice. New partner Deborah Jeff will head the new family team, having joined Simkins from rival London law firm Seddons where she previously founded and grew a team under her leadership for 15 years.
Tuesday
Financial services provider Apex Group appointed Michelle Le Herissier as head of private clients and family office, Jersey. Ms Le Herissier brings over 25 years of experience, having worked in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the USA and joins Apex from JTC Group where she was most recently South Dakota’s managing director.
International law firm Withers added partner Pervaze Ahmed to its residential property team. Mr Ahmed joined the firm from Howard Kennedy, where he was the head of residential property. Mr Ahmed specialises in advising on the sale and purchase of high value properties in the London market. He works with a broad range of clients and has an extensive network amongst property agents and banks.
Wednesday
UK law firm Wedlake Bell hired George Merrylees as a partner in its private client offshore team. Mr Merrylees has joined from Irwin Mitchell, a firm he practised at since 2014 and where he was a partner for over four years. His appointment is with immediate effect. Mr Merrylees is experienced in cross-border tax planning, asset structuring and succession.
International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys added a new family team in Hong Kong, including the hire of Lisa Wong as partner, as it continues to look to strengthen its offering in the region. Ms Wong is an experienced family lawyer and accredited mediator, covering all aspects of matrimonial law.
Thursday
The family office and private client (FO & PC) practice at KPMG UK promoted Craig Rowlands to partner as the firm continues to grow its team that supports high net worth and family office clients. Mr Rowlands has been with KPMG for more than a decade and leads the FO & PC practice’s offering in Reading.
PwC UK appointed Laura Hinton as its new head of tax. As UK tax leader, Ms Hinton’s new role will include leadership of PwC UK’s tax, legal and people and organisation practices. Ms Hinton has over 25 years’ experience as a business consultant, specialising in HR and workforce transformation, operating model programmes and culture change.
Friday
Highvern acquired Guernsey and Swiss-based Noble Trust Company. The move further extends Highvern’s multi-jurisdictional proposition following the launch of its UK office in 2021 and Dublin-based business earlier this month. The acquisition will expand Highvern’s offering across the Channel Islands and a move the firm said "signals a strong commitment to and investment in the Guernsey marketplace".
Fiduciary services provider Accuro appointed Kelly Watson and Helen Hendy as client services directors within its Jersey office. Having qualified as a barrister (non-practising) and solicitor of England and Wales, Ms Watson spent five years in private practice in both England and Jersey before moving into the offshore finance industry in 2009.