Top 25 Most Admired Companies - Appleby

top 25 most admired companiesSpeechly BirchamJohn Ward,partner and headof private client,Speechly BirchamLondon law firm Speechly Birchamemploys 240-lawyers and advises privateclients on everything from propertytransactions to disputes tax and trustsadvice.The firm said that it “welcomes” the Top25 Most Admired Companies accolade asan “independent acknowledgement of itsposition in the marketplace”.“Feedback from our clients and the legaldirectories tells us that we are known inthe market for delivering cutting edge,cost-effective solutions that take ourclients’ broader concerns into account,whether those concerns are around privatewealth, family or business issues,” said JohnWard, head of private client at SpeechlyBircham.The firm's clients include directors ofleading companies; entrepreneurs in theproperty, media and financial servicessectors, members of the UK and foreignroyal families, as well as many otherindividuals in The Sunday Times andForbes Rich Lists.In 2010 it helped supermodel ElleMacPherson win her case against theliquidated Isle of Man bank KaupthingSinger & Friedlander (KSF).Mark Buzzoni,partner and headof private client,Taylor WessingLondon law firm Taylor Wessing hasalready expanded its private clientdepartment with six new associate hires in2011. The firm said that it needed toincrease its staff numbers in order toservice the “increasing flow of business”.Mark Buzzoni, head of private client inthe UK, said: “I think we are admiredbecause we have a team fully able to dealwith the most complex and challengingtrust and tax work, but also sit within afirm which can service all of the needs of amodern wealthy family with assets andAndrew Fisher,chief executive,TowryLike a couple of other firms on the list,Towry also rebranded in 2010, droppingthe “Law” part of its name.The wealth adviser offers fee based,independent financial advice andindependent investment managementservices to private individuals, withinvestable assets in excess of £100,000.Towry’s vision is to become the UK'sTaylor Wessingfamily members in different jurisdictions,and with a need for services in relation tocorporate matters, reputation management,immigration, commercial and residentialproperty, super yachts and numerous otherareas which go beyond the traditionalprivate client services.”In 2011 Taylor Wessing wants to“continue to expand” its team whilst“continuing to drive up quality”, accordingto Mr Buzzoni.“Whilst 2010 has been a period ofchange for us, we expect all of our recruitsto be in place in 2011 and to really benefitfrom this enhanced offering; at the sametime, we are putting still greater effort intothe synergies with the wider business andour overseas offices.”Towryleading provider of wealth advice, andmaking the Top 25 Most AdmiredCompanies ranking “is a furtherendorsement that it is on its way” toachieving this, according to Andrew Fisher,chief executive of Towry.“We are delighted to be recognised forour professional fee-based approach toproviding wealth advice, coupled with ourstrong business disciplines and processes,”he said.The business employs approximately 750people in more than 20 offices across theUnited Kingdom.John Riches,partner,WithersGrowing demand for global high net worthservices has prompted international lawfirm Withers to open an office in Zurich.The firm, which already has an office inGeneva, said that it is representing aWithersgrowing number of individuals andorganisations from Russia, EasternEuropean and Israel, many of whomgravitate towards Zurich as the financialcentre of choice for both their corporateand individual needs.Withers also has offices in BVI, London,Milan, New York, New Haven, Greenwich,and Hong Kong.8 Top25 Most Admired Companies Report 2011 | Private Client Practitioner www.eprivateclient.com