Biography
Head of Private Client Knowledge Management
In my role I look after the technical and training side of our practice in wills, probate, trusts, estate planning, Inheritance Tax and tax planning, tax and trust compliance, elderly clients and international tax. My role includes training myself, or arranging training for, our fee earners in the latest legal and tax developments and strategies for clients to make the most of a constantly changing tax environment. I have responsibility for precedents and documents to support our “know-how” and help produce client guides to introduce new services and strategies.
What inspired you to get into law?
To help people understand how the law and tax system can work effectively for them and their families. Life is often complex, with divided families and different needs to address, but we can provide legal solutions which relieve worries and help make the most of the opportunities for tax planning within the system. It’s great when people come to us with a concern which we can help answer with a solution which they understand and with which they are comfortable.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
I love training and making complex technical points come alive and make sense to others. I find it really rewarding when I help people see solutions and ways of making effective use of the system to achieve their objectives. As a Chartered Tax Advisor, my work is a real mixture of legal and tax planning.
What do you do away from the office?
I love cricket, theatre and music. I run a nomadic cricket team, the Harry Baldwin Occassionals (started by actor Michael Simkins and featured in his book “Fatty Batter”) full of lovely characters who play the game in the right spirit. I enjoy going to the theatre (especially musicals), and classical and other music. I do a little singing in choirs and performing on stage in musicals when time allows! Also, living near the sea in Sussex, I enjoy walking by the sea or on the South Downs.
Publications
- Chapter on will drafting in “Solicitors Journal Special Report: Private Client Practice - An expert guide” (2014)
- Regular articles on wills, tax and estates for Solicitors Journal: most recent - “Financial Advice in Estate administration” (May 2016)
- Feature article on ISAs & transferring to spouses in Private Client Business (2015 Edition 4)
- Article on ISAs and estates Trusts and Estates in Law and Tax Journal (Nov 2015)
Anthony Nixon and I have also edited the Law Society's new Inheritance Tax Planning Handbook, with contributions from experts across Irwin Mitchell's Tax, Trusts and Estates, Corporate, and Wealth Management teams.
