The latest moves and appointments in wealth management in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East and other select locations

Charles Russell Speechlys
Charles Russell Speechlys has appointed Ziva Robertson as a partner within the firm’s Private Wealth Disputes team.

Robertson was previously with McDermott Will & Emery, where she co-headed the London Private Client group.

Robertson, who has over 26 years of experience within private wealth disputes, predominantly focuses on complex, high-value international, contentious cross-border trusts and estates matters and commercial disputes containing fiduciary elements. Much of her practice is international, and she is known for her ability to navigate the nuances of contentious cross-jurisdictional work seamlessly.

Robertson’s client base spans the US, the Caribbean, Europe, Israel, and the Middle East. She has acted in numerous high-profile disputes in the UK and various jurisdictions across the Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the Channel Islands, and Bermuda.

Graeme Kleiner, partner and head of Private Wealth Disputes, said: “The appointment of Ziva will add considerably to our complex international bench strength... Ziva’s jurisdictional spread and significant client base across key jurisdictions will provide an invaluable platform to build on our Private Wealth Disputes practice and attract further international work in line with the firm’s international strategy.”

Robertson added: “Given Charles Russell Speechlys strategic focus and core strength in private capital and private wealth work, the firm was a perfect fit for me. I look forward to working with the team and building on the firm’s international presence, particularly in France, Switzerland, Asia, and the Middle East, as well as being a key representative of the firm’s Israeli desk.”

Ziva’s appointment follows the arrival of litigation and dispute resolution partners John Lewis and Alison Goldthorp, who joined the firm’s London and Dubai offices, respectively, in February. Robertson’s arrival marks the fifth lateral disputes partner at Charles Russell Speechlys in 2023.

Saffery Champness
Saffery Champness has appointed James Stevens as partner to boost its team in Peterborough.

Stevens was previously at Deloitte, where he headed up the private client team in the Eastern region, along with leading its UK trust business and played a key role in its Channel Islands private client business, the firm said in a statement.

Stevens’ practice, which is aimed at private clients, focuses on advising high and ultra-high net worth families, many of whom are high profile with complex, international financial and business affairs. His particular focus is on capital tax and trust advice and strategy, as well as succession planning and wealth preservation. He has considerable experience managing the tax and accounting compliance processes for both families and their trust and business interests, domestically in the UK as well as internationally.

Stevens will work with the Peterborough team to deliver advice and compliance services to the firm’s client base of private clients and landed estates, including highly innovative entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses based in and around the East Midlands and East Anglia.

Stevens’ arrival is the latest milestone in a period of growth and expansion for the firm in Peterborough; it follows the recent appointment in February of Gareth Norris as partner, bringing the total partner headcount in the office to seven.

Matthew Burton, managing partner at Saffery Champness, said: “James’s expertise in both domestic and international tax and trust issues, developed over years of leading private client and offshore teams, aligns with our firm’s heritage, our clients’ evolving needs and the complex global regulatory environment they operate in. James is a great addition to the Peterborough team, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”