STEP has announced the shortlist for the 2020/21 Private Client Awards, with 77 firms and 14 individuals from across the private client industry selected by an expert panel of judges.
Despite the challenges faced internationally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year saw a record number of entries for the Awards, with 319 submissions received from 27 countries.
Now in their 15th year, the Awards celebrate excellence in private client practice and are widely seen as a hallmark of quality in the industry. Categories were open to law firms, accountancy firms, trust companies, financial advisors, multi-family offices and boutique advisory services internationally. Several firms made the shortlist in more than one category, with law firms Withers and Forsters each selected in four.
The complete list of finalists is available here.
STEP’s Chief Executive Mark Walley said:
“These are not normal times. Many have suffered loss of loved ones. We are all navigating our way through a pandemic and the social impacts that it is having. However, there remains remarkably high quality in what our industry does and we feel that now, more than ever, that should be celebrated. We are delighted to have received a record number of entries, demonstrating the high esteem in which the Awards are held across the industry. It is great to have this opportunity to highlight excellence in private client practice and I am looking forward to celebrating the winners at our first-ever virtual ceremony in December.”
Chair of the Presiding Judges Mary Duke TEP said:
“It’s been a very busy time for the judges, with this record number of submissions to assess. For the last few years there has been a trend for the awards to get ever more international, and I’m very happy to see this continuing. Many of us have been struck by the quality of the applications we’ve seen, and it’s been a challenge to reach a shortlist. I’d note that with standards so high, it’s an achievement in itself to make the shortlist, so well done to all the finalists.”
The Virtual Awards Ceremony will take place on 9 December 2020. Our sponsors to date include AP Executive, Butterfield Trust, Katten Muchin Rosenman, and Smith & Williamson Investment Management.
