Helen Ratcliffe has stepped down as head of private wealth at Top 25 Law Firm Bircham Dyson Bell. She is replaced by Elizabeth Neale.

Ms Ratcliffe specialises in tax and estate planning and also has particular expertise in working with clients in the offshore trust jurisdictions, Europe, the Middle East and Far East and the US.

She joined Bircham Dyson Bell in 2000 and was made partner in 2002. In 2010 she was appointed to replace James Johnston as head of private wealth.

Ms Neale joined the firm as a solicitor in 1998 and was made a partner within the private wealth department in 2008.

She is recognised for her experience in tax, probate, trusts and estate planning for UK families and non UK domiciliaries and regularly advises individuals and charities in connection with disputed wills and applications for statutory wills.

Earlier this month, Bircham Dyson Bell promoted five partners across four departments, including Top 35 Under 35 alumni Matthew Braithwaite.