STEP announces Founder's Awards recipients for 2019

STEP is delighted to announce the STEP Founder’s Awards for 2019. The Awards are given to members who have made ‘an exceptional and outstanding long-term contribution to the Society above and beyond that normally expected of a member, through office in their branch, or elsewhere in the voluntary life of the Society’.

‘STEP depends on its volunteers to fulfil our mission, including promoting high standards, educating professionals and acting in the public interest, and we are delighted to recognise so many hardworking individuals this year. Our congratulations and thanks to them all,’ said Mark Walley, STEP Chief Executive.

The recipients for 2019 are:

Anita Bain TEP – STEP Bahamas

Anita is the Treasurer and a former Chair and deputy Chair of the STEP Bahamas branch, and serves on STEP’s Caribbean and Latin America Regional Committee. She chaired the STEP Caribbean 2019 Conference and spearheaded the Branch's sponsorship efforts, raising over USD170,000 from firms in the region. She also chaired the Education Committee, liaising with students and CLTI, and organised the branch’s first half-day seminar.

Louise Benjamin TEP – STEP Benelux

Louise has served the Benelux branch continuously since 2002, promoting, organising, and raising awareness, as well as running projects, membership administration and educational tasks. She started the first STEP Benelux Conference, which is now an annual event, and the participation of Luxembourg’s Prime Minister helped the branch attract prominent names in law and finance to its Board. Louise has built up the branch’s finances though sponsorship, increasing membership and careful management, to the extent that the Board is now considering offering financial help to students on the Wealth Management Masters programme in Luxembourg.

Scott Clayton TEP – STEP Sussex

A founding member of the STEP Sussex branch in 1991, Scott has served on its Committee ever since. He also served as Branch Treasurer and Branch Chair, before being elected to STEP Council for three years and subsequently the England and Wales Regional Committee. Scott is also a tutor for the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust and Estate Accounting.

Pamela Cross TEP – STEP Ottawa

The current Chair of STEP Canada’s Board of Directors, Pamela has played a key role in building up the organisation to what it is today. As Chair of the Tax Technical Committee, she led the Committee to deliver annual Federal Budget updates, e-blasts on a variety of topics to the membership and submissions to government that have provided great value to STEP members and the STEP brand.

Pam has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure and promote the integrity and high standard of the TEP designation, speaking on taxation and estate planning for STEP at various seminars, the STEP Canada National Conference and at events hosted by other professional associations.

Chris Ireland TEP – STEP Vancouver

Chris has been integral to the success and development of the STEP Vancouver branch, volunteering in various capacities and then serving as Chair. He is the Chair of the Tax Technical Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee and National Conference Committee. In 2018 Chris travelled to 11 Canadian branches and chapters to deliver the National Course in Taxation at Death and Post Mortem Planning, which was very well received by members.

Francesco Giorcelli TEP – STEP Lugano

Francesco has twice served as STEP Lugano Chair, where he is currently deputy, and also serves on the Verein STEP committee. He has been tireless in developing networking opportunities, education, as well as an interest in trusts in the region, and in May 2018 set up a highly successful educational event on trusts within Swiss law.

Leanne Kaufman TEP – STEP Toronto

Leanne is a member of the STEP Canada Board of Directors and has served on the judging panel for the Private Client Awards for two consecutive years. Leanne has been instrumental in the development of the STEP Canada Diploma Program and CETA (Certificate in Estate and Trust Administration). As Canada’s Chair of Member Services, Leanne has helped to increase the value of membership through initiatives including collaboration with industry partners, developing marketing materials, developing chapters, and standardising the STEP offering across branches.

Amanda Lashley TEP – STEP Barbados

A former Chair of STEP Barbados, Amanda has been involved with branch events and membership since 2004 and chaired the 2018 STEP Caribbean Conference. During her tenure, she encouraged several members of her trust team to pursue the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management, and they have since obtained their TEP designations. She has mentored several other team members and assisted them in choosing STEP qualifications to assist with their professional development.

Amanda worked with STEP’s Employer Partnership Programme team to assist Cidel Bank & Trust to obtain accreditation. She serves on the Business Families Special Interest Group’s Committee.

Thomas Lee TEP – STEP Hong Kong

A member of the Hong Kong Branch’s Committee since 2005, Thomas has been involved in all aspects of the branch's development, including organising its tax filings and status. He has been a member of the China Sub-Committee since its inception, and is actively involved with the possible creation of a STEP China Branch. Thomas played a major role in formulating our submissions to Hong Kong’s trust law review, and has provided much assistance in organising the annual STEP Asia conferences.

Sebastien Moerman TEP – STEP Lucerne-Zug

Sebastien was instrumental in founding the Lucerne-Zug Centre as part of STEP Verein in 2010, and eventually became its Chair. He introduced a considerable number of members, secured sponsorship and put forward speakers at STEP events, including the 2017 Swiss Alpine Conference in Interlaken, where he was one of the organisers. He was also heavily involved in the formation of the Swiss and Liechtenstein STEP Federation, which represents the combined interests of the four STEP branches in the region.

Graham Wilson TEP – STEP Benelux

Graham was behind the formation of the Benelux branch in 2012, served as its first Chair, and currently serves as Treasurer. He has organised many STEP events to spread the Society’s name, and including almost every event prior to the branch’s formal incorporation. He has always enlisted the help of several members of his firm to organise and attend branch events.