Sir Lloyd Dorfman led a line-up of winners at the 13th annual Spear’s Wealth Management Awards at Skinners’ Hall – in a night that celebrated the best in London’s private client world. Arun Kakar reports
It was standing room only at the 13th edition of the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards, where Sir Lloyd Dorfman and Roger Weatherby led a star-studded list of honours.
Hosted by Sky News economics editor Ed Conway, the event saw more than 350 figures from business, finance, law and luxury gather to celebrate achievement across the asset management, banking and private client fields at the new venue of Skinners’ Hall in the heart of the City of London.
Guests sipped on Villa Sandi prosecco and chipped in their business cards to win two Christmas hampers from Harrods at the ceremony, which was also sponsored by The Resort Villa Ray Long Thailand, The London General Practice, Yotha, The Buying Agents, Heathrow VIP, Syz Private Banking, Taylor Howes, Calda Clinic, Ten Trinity Square Private Members Club, and the Watermark Grand Cayman.
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Spear’s founder and chair of the judges William Cash praised the resilience and innovation in the categories this year. ‘It’s good that the old City guard are having to re-invent themselves, and improve their client services, or else sink. And our winners reflect this,’ he said.
In his welcome address, Conway praised the new venue, and remarked on how things have – and haven’t – changed since he first hosted the awards four years ago.
‘To quote Theresa May not that long ago, “nothing has changed”,’ he told the audience to laughter. ‘In fairness one or two things have changed since then. The Tory party has a new leader, the Liberal Democrat party has a new leader and Nigel Farage leader has a new party.’
The Travelex founder Sir Lloyd Dorfman was named Philanthropist of the Year for a string of ‘incredible’ contributions to the arts. In stirring speech, he reiterated the importance of philanthropy against the backdrop of the current general election.
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‘We could be forgiven for thinking that the state doesn’t have all the answers, nor does capitalism, or indeed market forces,’ Dorfman told the audience. So I think it is really important that we have a strong third sector.’
Roger Weatherby, CEO of Weatherbys Private Bank, took home the Outstanding Achievement Award, and in a rousing speech spoke of the need to confront climate change. ‘It’s going to affect the personal wealth of our clients and the wellbeing of us all if we get this wrong,’ he said to cheers from the audience.
Oyster Yachts’ CEO Richard Hadida from won entrepreneur of the year for his remarkable turnaround of the firm, which he brought out of liquidation last year. In his speech, Hadida said: ‘I believe that people will start sailing again. I put my money where my mouth is and that’s why I bought the most beautiful yacht brand in the world.’
Turning to the hotly contested financial awards, Giles Pascoe of Goldman Sachs was crowned Private Banker of the Year. Judged described him as ‘a very impressive banker – the total package’.
Coutts, meanwhile, scooped the Private Bank of the Year (UK) Award. ‘They have a good story- but most importantly their clients are happy,’ remarked one judge. Lombard Odier was praised for ‘really making a mark’ as it took home the award for Private Bank of the Year (International), while Owl Private Office took home the prize for Family Office Services Provider.
There were cheers for MASECO’s Josh Matthews, who won the award for HNW Asset Manager of the Year, and also Cazenove Capital’s Kate Leppard who was named UHNW Asset Manager of the year.
In other awards, the ‘irresistible’ Daniel Daggers from Knight Frank was named Property Adviser of the Year for his ability to create ‘a buzz around the London market in an innovative, modern way’. Daggers recently sold ‘the most expensive terrace house in UK’ for $130 million near Buckingham Palace. ‘It really means a lot to win,’ said Daggers.
Rebecca Bettany of JTC Private Office won the hotly contested award for Future Leader in Private Client, and was described by the judges as ‘an ambassador for the company’.
‘If we’re looking for future leaders, I have no doubt that this person will be one,’ one judge said of Bettany, who joined the Jersey-based trust specialist last year.
Rennie Hoare of C Hoare & Co won the award for Philanthropy Adviser of the Year, an ‘especially important award at this moment in time, as the contribution made by HNWs to society and the efficacy of philanthropy is under the spotlight more than ever’, the judges said.
Suzanne Willis from Blick Rothenburg was named Private Client Accountant of the Year and Russell Cohen of Farrer & Co won the prize for Lawyer of the Year: Tax and Trusts.
‘Star performer’ Debbie Chism won the Lawyer of the Year: Family award and the evening concluded with Harbottle & Lewis’s John Kelly taking home the prize for Lawyer of the Year: Reputation.
‘The Spear’s Wealth Management Awards are the marquee annual event of London’s world-leading private client industry, which is dedicated to meeting the needs of the world’s super-rich,’ said Spear’s editor Alec Marsh of the proceedings. ‘It is my privilege to help honour the talented professionals who offer such outstanding service to billionaires, centi-millionaires and the merely very-well-off. They play a vital role in the UK economy and are some of the nicest people you are ever likely to meet.’
Spear’s 2018 Wealth Management Awards shortlists and winners
Private Banker of the Year
Shortlist:
Etienne d’Arenberg – Mirabaud
Rennie Hoare – C. Hoare & Co
Jeremy Knowland – Citi Private Bank
Giles Pascoe – Goldman Sachs
Winner: Giles Pascoe
Private Bank of the Year – UK
Shortlist:
Hoare & Co.
Coutts Private Banking
Hampden & Co
HSBC Private Banking UK
Winner: Coutts
Private Bank of the Year – International
Sponsored by Barratt London
Shortlist:
Goldman Sachs
Lombard Odier
Nedbank Private Wealth
UBS
Winner: Lombard Odier
Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Roger Weatherby
Future Leader in Private Client
Shortlist:
Rebecca Bettany – JTC Private Office
Craig Hughes – Menzies
Robert Szechenyi – Rathbones
Sophie Ward – HSBC Private Banking
Winner: Rebecca Bettany
HNW Asset Manager of the Year
Shortlist:
Tim Bailey – Cazenove Capital
Josh Matthews – MASECO Private Wealth
Gillian Piggot – Advanta Wealth
Petronella West – Investment Quorum
Winner: Josh Matthews
UHNW Asset Manager of the Year
Shortlist:
Alexander Bowden – Smith & Williamson
Kate Leppard – Cazenove Capital
Duncan MacIntyre – Lombard Odier
Khaled Said – Capital Generation Partners
Winner: Kate Leppard
Family Office Services Provider of the Year
Shortlist:
KPMG
Owl Private Office
Smith & Williamson
Stonehage Fleming
Winner: Owl Private Office
Philanthropist of the Year: Sir Lloyd Dorfman
Philanthropy Adviser of the Year
Shortlist:
Cath Dovey – Beacon Collaborative
Rennie Hoare – C. Hoare & Co.
Alana Petraske – Withers
Winner: Rennie Hoare
Private Client Accountant of the Year
Shortlist:
Mark Davies – Mark Davies & Associates
Wendy Walton – BDO
Suzanne Willis – Blick Rothenberg
Nicola Roberts, Deloitte
Winner: Suzanne Willis
Property Adviser of the Year
Shortlist:
Daniel Daggers – Knight Frank
Richard & Sophie Rogerson – RFR Property
Roarie Scarisbrick – Property Vision
Caroline Takla – The Collection
Winner: Daniel Daggers
Entrepreneur of the Year winner: Richard Hadida
Lawyer of the Year – Tax & Trusts
Shortlist:
Russell Cohen – Farrer & Co
Simon Rylatt – Boodle Hatfield
Camilla Wallace – Wedlake Bell
Simon Weil – BDB Pitmans
Winner: Russell Cohen
Lawyer of the Year – Family
Shortlist:
Debbie Chism – Stewarts
Claire Gordon – Farrer & Co
Jane Keir – Kingsley Napley
Julian Lipson – Withers
Winner: Debbie Chism
Lawyer of the Year – Reputation
Shortlist:
Hanna Basha – Payne Hicks Beach
Mike Brookes – Lee & Thompson
John Kelly – Harbottle & Lewis
Mark Thomson – Atkins Thomson
Winner: John Kelly
