Madhvi Muttylall

Trust Officer at Ocorian, Mauritius

Essay Route: Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

What does this award mean to you?

First of all, it was quite unexpected as it is my first attempt at essay writing and it was really hard in the beginning. So, it’s really a big personal achievement. I would say it is an acknowledgement of all the efforts made so far, definitely an encouragement and now a challenge to do better.

How was your experience as a STEP student?

It’s been an amazing learning experience as STEP carries on its promise of updating its members on the latest global developments, particularly at a time when the world is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

What would you say to those considering a STEP qualification?

The name of the organisation says it all. STEP is really the next step to follow for anyone committed to high professional standards and continuous professional developments in wills, trusts and estate administration matters, to just name a few. So, my advice would simply be: go for it and don’t think twice.

What are your career aspirations?

Becoming a full TEP member, to start with. But, most importantly, becoming an esteemed professional in the industry and I hope, in that regard, to help STEP in becoming an even bigger organisation that can reach many more people.

What makes a successful advisor?

Continuous professional development, along with other personal characteristics like discipline, commitment and willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone.

 

Charles Gilmore TEP

Solicitor at Gilmore Solicitors, Northern Ireland

STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (Northern Ireland)

What does this award mean to you?

I’m really honoured to have been given this award. Obtaining a top result in the STEP Diploma while working full-time feels like a great achievement and I’m very proud. It has given me a lot of confidence to push on and further my career.

How was your experience as a STEP student?

I really enjoyed it. The workshops and content provided were very informative, thorough and well organised. The notes continue to assist me during my practice. Having time to listen to the various tutors was very insightful, as they provided lots of examples of their own practice and experience. The modules were run online and this made it easier to attend. However, it would have been great to meet the tutors and fellow students face-to-face.

What would you say to those considering a STEP qualification?

I feel that the STEP qualification has greatly benefitted my career through enhanced expertise and an increased network. STEP is a fantastic resource for any professional who wants to specialise in a particular area or jurisdiction. The STEP network is a brilliant asset to have at your disposal, if you happen to plan on connecting with or working in other countries.

What are your career aspirations?

I am in the early stages of my career. However, completing the STEP Diploma and receiving an Excellence Award has helped me to move up a rung on the ladder. Moving forward, I’ll continue to do my best to keep learning and gaining more knowledge surrounding the areas of my practice. In the future, I would like to achieve promotion to partnership and perhaps experience working or completing a qualification in another jurisdiction.

What makes a successful advisor?

I think for any advisor to be successful they need to have excellent communication skills. Being able to understand quickly what the problem is and effectively explain solutions in a way that reassures your clients (who have placed their trust in you) is critical for success.

 

Jennifer Wood TEP

Private Banker at RBC Wealth Management, Canada

STEP Advanced Certificate in Trustees’ Duties: Investment and Management of the Trust Fund

What does this award mean to you?

This award is an acknowledgement of my effort and my understanding of the material, but more important is the honour of being included in a group of students who are top trust professionals across the globe.

How was your experience as a STEP student?

Excellent. I love the CLT International courses; the material is concise and relevant, and the tutorials in preparation for the exam are taught by senior members of the international trust community who are excellent teachers. The students and teachers are all so interesting and willing to share their opinions and insights. Participating in these sessions gave me an all-encompassing view of international trust management.

What would you say to those considering a STEP qualification?

The value of the education in and of itself is very worthwhile. On top of this is the benefit of being a member of a globally recognised group of expert advisors.

What are your career aspirations?

I’ve spent most of my career as a domestic lawyer and private banker. Taking this course has definitely made me interested in international client issues, and the potential for travel to offshore centres is very appealing.

What do you think makes a successful advisor?

I love my clients and want to always make sure that I’m bringing the best ideas and advice to help them with their goals and circumstances. I hope to be able to use the knowledge I’ve gained from this course to continue to add value to my clients.

 

Roxani-Maria Papanikolaou

Wealth Planner at UBS, Switzerland

STEP Advanced Certificate in Principles of International Tax, AML and Compliance

What does this award mean to you?

Personally, this award is a heart-fulfilling recognition of my belief in the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance. It reaffirms the importance of setting high standards for myself and always striving for excellence. Being granted by such a prestigious organisation, this award holds a particular significance for me as a testament to my competence and abilities in the field.

How was your experience as a STEP student?

I can only speak highly of the quality of the course material and of the competence and devotion of the instructors. Overall, the course managed to strike a formidable balance between providing adequate and informative theoretical background on one hand, and emphasising practical learning on the other, thus equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their respective careers.

What would you say to those considering a STEP qualification?

Being a STEP student requires devotion, discipline and, of course, time. However, it all pays off in the end: it opens the door not only to holding a prestigious qualification that is highly appreciated in professional circles but also to networking opportunities and to being connected with prominent professionals in the field.

What do you think makes a successful advisor?

Some of the key traits of a successful advisor are: continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and law changes; adhering to professional standards and regulations and being ethical and trustworthy; adopting a client-centric approach and communicating with the client in an open, sincere and transparent manner.

 

Claire Bruce

Senior Solicitor at Burness Paull, Scotland 

STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland)

What does this award mean to you?

Winning the award for this exam, in particular, meant a great deal as I found it the most challenging paper out of the courses I have sat. It was nice to see the hard work paying off.

How was your experience as a STEP student?

I have one exam still to do but my experience to date has been positive. I’ve enjoyed doing the course workshops over video as it has been easier to fit in around my working day; although, a downside to this is that I haven’t been able to get to know others on the course in the same way I would have had the courses been in person.

What would you say to those considering a STEP qualification?

Go for it! It isn’t easy and it requires a considerable investment of your time but it is worth it as it is a great way of consolidating and building on your existing knowledge. It has also really helped to build my confidence.

What are your career aspirations?

I would like to continue progressing my career, with the next step being completing the STEP Diploma. 

What do you think makes a successful advisor?

I think someone who gets to know the client and understands the full picture. Given the nature of a private client solicitor, I think it is important to build a rapport with the client and get to know them and their family in order to be able to provide holistic advice. I think to be successful in this area you also need to have a great deal of compassion as you are generally having difficult conversations or dealing with people at a particularly difficult time.