Sophie Harcourt

Trustees of high-risk buildings could unexpectedly find themselves criminally liable as the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) if they are non-compliant with the Building Safety Act. Partners, Clare Stirzaker and Sarah Rock, and Trainee, Clemie Stent, explain the key duties and risks.

Senior Associate, Clare Pooley and Associate, Will Finnerty have been named as one of the 2025 eprivateclient NextGen Leaders. The annual list of leading young private client practitioners in the UK and Crown Dependencies recognises outstanding professionals and talent, highlighting their technical excellence and growing influence. This accolade affirms Clare and Will’s exceptional client service, commitment, and cross-border expertise.

Back in June, we celebrated the launch of the STEP Business Families and Family Businesses Handbook with a distinguished panel of advisers and family business experts. The evening explored the evolving challenges of advising family businesses, from succession planning and governance to the human and interpersonal dynamics that shape long-term success.

Amid significant changes to inheritance tax on the horizon, many long-standing family business owners are reconsidering their future, with some being advised to sell their business or shift their base abroad in anticipation of reduced Business Property Relief (BPR). In a recent Telegraph article, Partner and Head of Private Wealth, Hayden Bailey comments on the growing pressure facing UK family businesses, noting “there’s less desire to build a generational family business in the current climate.”