Over 200 delegates attended two special trusts conferences held by offshore law firm, Mourant last week, to hear views and insights from international private wealth specialists.
The events, held in both Guernsey and Jersey and sponsored by Butterfield Trust, have become permanent fixtures in the calendar attracting delegates from London and other international centres to the day-long forums. Both events offer a unique insight on the very latest developments in the world of trusts, as well as giving attendees the chance to connect and network with peers in the sector.
Lawyers and professionals from Mourant’s International Trusts and Private Client teams were joined by experts from all over the world to debate key issues facing trusts and trustees. The topics covered included privacy and transparency, litigation funding, insolvent trusts, developments in family offices and case law and UK and US tax updates. In addition, time was spent considering the extent to which Brexit might throw up new issues for trust professionals to deal with.
Former Jersey Finance CEO, Geoff Cook, made his inaugural appearance as a Consultant for Mourant on a panel examining the challenges for the private client presented by apparently conflicting government policies on privacy and transparency in relation to companies and trusts.
Philip Marcovici, author of “The Destructive Power of Family Wealth”, delivered the keynote speech at each forum. He highlighted the importance of communication within families in relation to wealth and how this could be facilitated by professional advisors.
Mourant Partner and Head of International Trusts and Private Client, Edward Devenport, said: “We were delighted to repeat our trusts forums this year following their success as inaugural events in 2018. There is a real demand from the sector to access the thinking and experience of leading specialists who can also debate key issues affecting the industry. Speakers were very open with their insights on current issues, so offered attendees greater awareness as well as practical advice to take back to their own organisations.”
The Forums will be repeated in 2020 and further details can be downloaded from the Mourant.com website.
