A new professional forum, the US Professionals Association, has been created to help cement the relationships between the various professional firms that serve the US community in London.

Comprising accountants, lawyers, wealth managers and others, the US Professionals Association provides a platform for discussing and debating the unique issues that are faced by US persons who live in the UK.

Along with Westleton Drake and wealth management firm Vestra Wealth, sponsor members include wealth managers MASECO Private Wealth and Satis Asset Management, while accountancy firms such as Deloitte, Buzzacott, Frank Hirth and BDO are corporate members, as are law firms Speechly Bircham and Withers.

“Withers decided to join because the American market in the UK is a niche area and we thought it would be good to bring together as many people in this area as possible. The discussion element makes the group unique and allows members to learn how others are dealing with the issues of the day, whether they relate to tax, investments, immigration or any other area,” said Chris McLemore of international law firm Withers.

"The purpose of this group is to position all of us better to provide guidance and support to clients and thereby continue to raise standards within our section of the industry,” said Paul Nixon, director of Vestra US, the recently-launched, US-focused division of Vestra Wealth.

The USPA meets quarterly, and so far each meeting has attracted approximately 50 people. A few places are always available to prospective members who wish to try a meeting before deciding to join. Members can elect to attend two conferences a year, in February and October, and there is a dinner scheduled for April 2014, the firm said.