STEP news

STEP news

Award winners announced

STEP is delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Excellence Awards, which celebrate exceptional student achievement, recognising the highest achievers across all STEP qualifications globally. The 49 students hail from all over the world, representing 16 countries.

View the list of top scorers at excellence.step.org.

New thought leadership publication

On 22 June 2021, STEP launched a new publication, sponsored by IQ‑EQ, as part of our thought leadership work: Family Dialogues on the Responsible Stewardship of Wealth: A Guide (the Guide). The Guide has been well received and has been downloaded by practitioners in 65 countries.

Download the Guide at bit.ly/3xcz7fY

STEP China update

The STEP China branch committee has put together a programme of events taking place over the course of the year and is working to develop other resources for members locally. Visit the STEP China microsite for more information, at china.step.org.

Wanted: Essay Route panel members

STEP is looking for additional members to join the worldwide STEP Essay Route Panel (the Panel), especially those based in Asia and Europe or with experience there. Experience in setting and assessing exams or essays is also desirable.

The Panel is responsible for overseeing processes around the annual setting of topics, essay assessment and maintaining the standards of the STEP Essay Route. The Panel meets four times a year and works closely with the Membership Team to ensure that members joining STEP through the Essay Route meet the ‘gold standard’ expected of a TEP.

If you are interested, please email our Membership Team at membership@step.org.

How to sign up for the TQR

Are you looking to expand your pool of continuing professional development resources? The Trust Quarterly Review (TQR), with its wealth of technical and academic analysis, may be just what you’re looking for.

If you wish to be alerted to the release of new issues of the TQR, ensure you’re signed up to receive the relevant communications.

Signing up is simple:

1. Log in to your profile at www.step.org/step/login

2. Scroll down and select ‘Edit contact preferences’

3. Select ‘Trust Quarterly Review (TQR)’ from the list of STEP communications

Special Interest Spotlight Sessions

STEP’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will be hosting a programme of seven specialist webinars from 29 November – 8 December 2021. In addition to specialist content across SIG topic areas, the sessions will also feature three thought‑provoking webinars with expert commentary focusing on the restoration of public perception of trusts, wealth stewardship and the definition and composition of the ‘modern’ family and what that means for estate planning.

Find out more at bit.ly/3gv1vEC

STEP shortlisted for membership excellence awards

STEP is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for four memcom 2021 Membership Excellence awards:

  • Best Magazine Launch or Re‑launch for the STEP Journal;
  • Best Public Awareness Campaign for our work to obtain temporary legislative change in England and Wales to enable people to validly execute wills remotely (in direct response to COVID‑19);
  • Outstanding contribution to a Membership Organisation for John Riches TEP, recognising his far-reaching contribution to our public policy work; and
  • Best Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for our people.

The full shortlist can be found at bit.ly/3eGWoAm

Online Member Profile changes

We recently updated the Member Profile section on the STEP website to better highlight that when a member changes their address and contact details they also need to review and update their Directory preferences. The website will now prompt members to review their Directory Profile display settings when a change is made. We advise all members to check their Member Profile at www.step.org/step/login and STEP Directory settings regularly to ensure these are up‑to‑date and you are happy with the information that is displayed in the public domain.

30th anniversary content

STEP turned 30 on 4 July 2021 and we have produced a wealth of anniversary‑related content for our members.

In addition to our special anniversary‑themed STEP Journal for Issue 3 2021, the latest Trust Quarterly Review includes a detailed country‑by‑country breakdown of the past 30 years of trust regulation, legislation and case law; we have conducted over 30 interviews with esteemed members throughout STEP; and on page 20 of this issue, members share their fondest memories of STEP and we chat to some of our newest TEPs. To read the interviews and view the rest of our anniversary content, visit www.step.org/about-step/step-30th-anniversary.

We will be celebrating STEP’s 30th anniversary throughout the next year, so please get in touch with your stories, memories and predictions at step.editor@step.org.

Policy consultation tracker

As part of our thought leadership work, STEP responds to consultations in different jurisdictions to help influence policy globally. If members are aware of any policy consultation in their jurisdiction that they would like to bring to the awareness of the global STEP membership, please forward details to the Policy Team at policy@step.org.

All consultations STEP has responded to can be found at www.step.org/public-policy/consultation-tracker.

Save the date

STEP Private Client Awards 2021/22

The STEP Private Client Awards 2021/22 (PCAs) will be held virtually and will be free to attend.

This year saw 297 entries, with the expert judging panel shortlisting 66 firms and 12 individuals from across 13 countries. Winners will be announced at the PCAs Virtual Awards Ceremony on 23 September 2021, commencing at 16:30 BST.

The ceremony will feature a charity raffle to raise additional funds for our charity partner, the World Literacy Foundation.

All are welcome to attend, so save the date and book your ticket now at pca.step.org.

STEP LatAm Conference 2021

The STEP LatAm Conference 2021 will take place at the Riviera Maya, Mexico, on 14–15 October 2021. The conference programme includes keynote sessions on current topics in CRS and FATCA compliance for fiduciaries and their clients, and the future of work and innovation in the digital arena. View the full programme and register at www.steplatamconference.com.

STEP Asia Conference 2021

The STEP Asia Conference 2021 will take place virtually over three half‑days on 16–18 November 2021.

Find out more and book your place at www.stepevents.org/asia2021.

Connect with us on social media

Want to stay up‑to‑date with all the latest events, courses and content that STEP has to offer? Make the most of your membership by following and engaging with us on social media.

STEP thought leadership webinar

STEP members and non‑members can view the free webinar on demand on the STEP website. STEP will be feeding into these consultations, so if you have any thoughts or feedback on the proposals then please contact the Policy Team at policy@step.org. We will keep members apprised of any legislative developments in this area.

Disciplinary notices

  • Teresa D’Alessio of STEP Beds, Bucks and Herts has been issued with a reprimand by the STEP Disciplinary Panel. An Investigation Panel considered a complaint against D’Alessio regarding the arrangement of funeral plans and the opening of a bank account. The Investigation Panel determined Ms D’Alessio made administrative errors that caused considerable stress to the clients, so warranting a reprimand.
  • Edward Bromet of STEP Yorkshire has been excluded from STEP membership following a decision by the Investigation Sub Committee (ISC). The ISC considered a decision by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to intervene at Bromets Solicitors and place conditions on Bromet’s practice as a Solicitor. The ISC found breaches of clauses 1.1 (Observing the Law), 3 (Integrity), 7 (Honesty), 8 (Conflicts of Interest) and 13.3 (ii) (Obligation to Notify the Society) of STEP’s Code of Professional Conduct.
  • Matthew Ledvina of STEP Zurich Centre has been excluded from STEP membership following a decision by the ISC. In January 2019, Ledvina pleaded guilty before the US District Court of one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and was suspended from appearing or practising before the Securities and Exchange Commission. The ISC found breaches of clauses 1.1 (Observing the Law), 1.2 (Assisting in a Breach of Law), and 3 (Integrity) of STEP’s Code of Professional Conduct.

STEP moves

  • Robbie Brown TEP has replaced Greg Leslie TEP as Chair of STEP Atlantic Provinces.
  • Jessica Lyle TEP has replaced Robbie Brown TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Atlantic Provinces.
  • Richard Lawrance TEP has replaced Helen Price TEP as Chair of STEP Beds, Bucks and Herts.
  • Rebecca Suthers has been appointed Secretary of STEP Bournemouth.
  • Kenneth Keung TEP has replaced Ruth Spetz TEP as Chair of STEP Calgary.
  • Carol Sadler TEP has replaced Kenneth Keung TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Calgary.
  • Rebecca Hett TEP has replaced Dale Franko TEP as Treasurer of STEP Calgary.
  • Katherine Ratcliffe TEP has replaced Vickie Schneider TEP as Secretary of STEP Calgary.
  • Amy Szostak TEP has replaced Leigh Harter TEP as Treasurer of STEP Cambridge.
  • Melissa Agricole TEP has replaced Jack Thorogood TEP as Treasurer of STEP Cambridge.
  • Conrad Proud TEP has replaced Tamara Corbin TEP as Treasurer of STEP Cayman Islands.
  • Reetu Pepoff TEP has replaced Katarinna McBride TEP as Chair of STEP Chicago.
  • Paula Camacho Henao TEP has replaced Juan de Dios Bravo Gonzalez TEP as Secretary of STEP Colombia.
  • Sam Amelio TEP has replaced Chris Turnbull TEP as Chair of STEP Edmonton.
  • Michelle Coleman TEP has replaced Sam Amelio TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Edmonton.
  • Sharene Gaitor TEP has been appointed Secretary of STEP Edmonton.
  • Andrew Niles TEP has replaced Gemma Pols TEP as Secretary of STEP Guernsey.
  • Sandra Meade TEP has replaced Barry Kennelly TEP as Secretary of STEP Ireland.
  • Barry Kennelly TEP has been appointed Vice Chair of STEP Ireland.
  • Kirandeep Guraya TEP has replaced Nika Terry TEP as Treasurer of STEP Jersey.
  • Masum Ahmed TEP has replaced Nima Stepney TEP as Chair of STEP Kent.
  • Nima Stepney TEP has replaced Masum Ahmed TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Kent.
  • Stephanie Parker TEP has replaced Caroline Brooks‑Johnson TEP as Treasurer of STEP Kent.
  • Anne Postlewaite TEP has replaced Kelly Watson TEP as Chair of STEP Okanagan.
  • Jennifer Eshleman TEP has replaced Melodie Lind TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Okanagan.
  • Magnus Aaserud TEP has replaced Anne Postlewaite TEP as Treasurer of STEP Okanagan.
  • Braeden Rahn TEP has replaced Jennifer Eshleman TEP as Secretary of STEP Okanagan.
  • Faisal Khorshid TEP has replaced Crystal Taylor TEP as Chair of STEP Saskatchewan.
  • Amanda Doucette TEP has replaced Faisal Khorshid TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Saskatchewan.
  • Alexander Lamb TEP has replaced Alix Storrie TEP as Chair of STEP Scotland.
  • Susie Tweedie TEP has replaced Alexander Lamb TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Scotland.
  • Sandra Bussey TEP has replaced Michael Bondy TEP as Secretary of STEP Southwestern Ontario.
  • Joel Campagna TEP has replaced Michael Bondy TEP as Treasurer of STEP Southwestern Ontario.
  • Roderik Strobl TEP has replaced Caterina Martinoli TEP as Secretary of STEP Swiss & Liechtenstein Federation.
  • Sarah Phillips TEP has replaced Kathryn Woodward TEP as Chair of STEP Thames Valley.
  • Corina Weigl TEP has replaced Elaine Blades TEP as Chair of STEP Toronto.
  • Ian Lebane TEP has replaced Corina Weigl TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Toronto.
  • Yogesh Bhathella TEP has replaced Sally Dennis TEP as Chair of STEP Vancouver.
  • Laura West TEP has replaced Yogesh Bhathella TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Vancouver.
  • Tony Lee TEP has replaced Vincent Lo TEP as Treasurer of STEP Vancouver.
  • Dwight Dee TEP has replaced Laura West TEP as Secretary of STEP Vancouver.
  • Loreena Gillon TEP has replaced Jim O’Donnell TEP as Chair of STEP Western Australia.
  • Claire Hawke‑Gundill has replaced Loreena Gillon TEP as Vice Chair of STEP Western Australia.
  • Janene Bon TEP has been appointed Chair of STEP Western Australia.
  • Danielle Bechelet has replaced Claire Hawke‑Gundill as Secretary of STEP Western Australia.
  • Jennifer Bruce TEP has replaced Sarah Walton TEP as Treasurer of STEP Western Australia.
  • Emma Facey TEP has replaced Cheryl Farnham TEP as Chair of STEP West of England.
  • Cheryl Farnham TEP has replaced Emma Facey TEP as Vice Chair of STEP West of England.
  • Harmanjit Mavi TEP has replaced Tannis Dawson TEP as Chair of STEP Winnipeg.

People moves

  • Joanne Verbiesen TEP has joined Bedell Cristin as a Partner in its Singapore office.
  • Ingrid Fraser TEP has joined Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors as a Solicitor.
  • Jack Burroughs TEP has joined the CLA as a Private Client and Taxation Advisor.
  • Greg Shannon TEP has been appointed Judge at the Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary Civil Division.
  • Michael‑Pierre Giraud TEP has joined Standard Bank as Head of Fiduciary Services in its Jersey office.
  • Alison Bragg TEP has joined Womble Bond Dickinson as a Consultant.

EPP update

STEP’s Employer Partnership Programme (EPP) is pleased to welcome Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) as a Platinum Employer Partner. The EPP is also pleased to have worked with the following organisations on their re‑accreditations: Turcan Connell and Lupton Fawcett (Platinum Employer Partners) and FigTree Financial (Employer Partner).

Find out more about the EPP at www.step.org/communities/employer-partnership‑programme.

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