Winners of STEP’s Private Client Awards are announced

Friday, 24 September 2021

STEP announced the winners of its 2021/22 Private Client Awards at a virtual ceremony last night.

STEP’s Private Client Awards set the standard for excellence in private client practice. They are open to lawyers, accountants, private bankers, financial advisors and trust managers worldwide. There were almost 300 entries from 23 countries this year: the full list of winners is available here: pca.step.org/winners-2021.

Commenting on the Awards, Mark Walley, Chief Executive at STEP, said: ‘The STEP Private Client Awards celebrate the very best of the best and all those shortlisted should be very proud. The motivational and best practice work seen in each entry provides inspiration for everyone working in private client practice.’

Particular congratulations go to Forsters and NIKA Law, who each won two awards. Forsters won Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (midsize firm) and International Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm). NIKA Law won Boutique Firm of the Year and Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year.

Other winners include:

  • Camilla Wallace TEP, Wedlake Bell, for the coveted Trusted Advisor of the Year Award, voted for by STEP members
  • Simon Morgan TEP, Partner and Head of Private Clients at Vistra Jersey, for the Geoffrey Shindler Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession, and
  • Patricia Wass TEP, for the Lifetime Achievement Award

Mary Duke TEP, Chair of the judging panel and an independent advisor to families, said: ‘It has a been a privilege to read all about the achievements of the award entries. The STEP Private Client Awards are our annual moment to celebrate the talent and achievements of our field. If necessity is the mother of invention, then these past two years have been a very fertile time for new ways of working.

‘Some of the themes that stood out for us this year have been extraordinary outreach to communities struggling with the pandemic, innovations in sustainability and notable progress and commitment to diversity and inclusion in our field.’

The awards were sponsored by Ampla Finance, Katten, McDermott Will & Emery and Leo Trust Switzerland.

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For further information please contact Liz Skinner - Tel: +44 (0)20 3752 3706 E mail: liz.skinner@step.org.

STEP is the global professional association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning. STEP works to improve public understanding of the issues families face in this area and promotes education and high professional standards among its members. STEP members help families plan for their futures, from drafting wills to issues surrounding international families, protection of the vulnerable, family businesses and philanthropic giving. Full STEP members, known as TEPs, are internationally recognised as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience. More information: www.step.org.