Claire Taylor Named The Top-Scoring Student Globally

Irwin Mitchell is proud to announce that Claire Taylor, Associate in the firm’s Private Client Advisory team, has been named the top-scoring student globally for the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (England & Wales).

The STEP Excellence Awards celebrate the highest achievers across all STEP qualifications worldwide. These awards are reserved for individuals who attain distinction-level scores and demonstrate exceptional commitment to professional development in the field of inheritance and succession planning.

Claire is the only recipient of the prestigious 2025 Excellence Award for the entire STEP Diploma, marking a significant milestone in her professional journey. 

Expert Opinion

“Claire’s achievement is nothing short of outstanding. Her dedication, intellect and passion for private client work are evident in everything she does. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team, and this recognition from STEP is a testament to her future as a leader in the field.

“This recognition not only highlights her individual excellence but also reinforces Irwin Mitchell’s commitment to nurturing talent and delivering the highest standards of client service in private wealth law.”
Andrea Jones, Partner and Head of the Private Client Advisory team at Irwin Mitchell

Mark Walley, Chief Executive of STEP, commented:

“To pass a STEP qualification is already a significant achievement. To attain a top score, as each Excellence Award winner has, is testament to considerable hard work and commitment to professional development. They are among the best and the brightest practitioners who are setting the standard for those advising families across generations.”

STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is a global professional body with over 22,000 members, including lawyers, accountants, trustees, and other advisors. Its mission is to inspire confidence in families planning their assets across generations by promoting high standards, informing public policy, and connecting practitioners worldwide.