The latest moves and appointments for wealth management roles in the UK, other parts of Europe, the Middle East and select international locations.

Blevins Franks
London-headquartered Blevins Franks, tax and wealth management advisors to UK nationals living in Europe, has appointed Partners Wealth Management co-founder James Roberts as its chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approval.

Roberts (pictured), who is succeeding John Simmonds, is only the third leader of the business as it celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, the firm said in a statement.

“We were determined to find a leader who embodies the client-orientated approach that is at the heart of the Blevins Franks culture,” John Stone, Blevins Franks chairman, said. “James’s long-term success building wealth management businesses through an outstanding client offering – delivered by personal advisors supported by cutting edge technology – accords precisely with our values.”

“I particularly want to thank John Simmonds who has led the firm so successfully since 2012. We are delighted he has agreed to remain with the company, as the non-executive chairman of Blevins Franks Wealth Management Ltd,” Stone added.

Founded in September 1975, Blevins Franks operates in the UK and six European countries – France, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta and Monaco – employing more than 250 people.

Hunters Law
London-based Hunters Law has promoted two of its senior associates to partner: Katie Martin and Vanina Wittenburg have take up their new positions with immediate effect.

Martin, who has substantial experience in probate and estate administration, specialises in complex estates and estates with a multi-jurisdictional element. She also has expertise in obtaining UK grants for overseas estates or UK reseals of international grants. Additionally, Martin’s practice covers preparing wills, trusts, lifetime and post-death tax planning, lasting power of attorney and applications to the Court of Protection.

Wittenburg undertakes a wide range of private client work, acting for individuals, executors and trustees. She is skilled in drafting wills and trust documents, deeds of variation, lasting powers of attorney, and in providing tax and estate planning advice. She is also experienced in administering complex estates, particularly those involving agricultural or business assets, overseas property, and art collections, together with a particular interest and skill in negotiating with HMRC to secure inheritance tax exemptions.

Martin joined Hunters Law in 2004 as an associate before being promoted to senior associate in 2007. Wittenburg joined the firm as an associate in October 2018 and was promoted to senior associate in 2021. Martin and Wittenburg are both a Dementia Friend, part of the Alzheimer’s Society.

“We are delighted to promote Katie and Vanina to partnership. They have both successfully established their extensive and respective prowess within their areas of expertise, and they have become key members of the private client team,” Arif Kamal, chief finance and operations officer, Hunters Law, said.

Hugh James
UK law firm Hugh James has appointed Danielle Cahill as a partner in its private wealth disputes team, based in the firm’s City of London office.

Formerly a senior associate at Clifford Chance, Cahill has more than 13 years’ experience of top-tier litigation and dispute resolution practice. She has acted on high-profile cases involving capacity and power of attorney matters in the High Court and Court of Protection. Her expertise lies in representing high net worth individuals in complex family disputes, as well as advising trustees, commercial and banking clients.

Cahill’s remit will be to develop the team’s cross-border and offshore disputes practice to reinforce the firm’s commitment to strengthening its private wealth services for HNW clients in London and nationwide.

This appointment follows the recent promotion of Ryan Taylor to partner in May this year.

“I am delighted to welcome Danielle Cahill to the Private Wealth Disputes team as a Partner. Danielle brings significant experience working at a top-tier City litigation and dispute resolution practice representing high-net-worth individuals and families in complex wealth disputes, both onshore and offshore,” Roman Kubiak, partner and head of Private Wealth Disputes, said.

“I’m also incredibly proud to see Ryan Taylor promoted to the Hugh James partnership. Since joining the Private Wealth Disputes team in London, Ryan has been instrumental to our growth and success in helping the team become a leader in the City market."

MainStreet Partners
Rodolfo Fracassi, CEO and founder of MainStreet Partners, a European firm operating in the field of ESG investing and sustainability, is stepping down. 

At the helm since 2008, Fracassi has been in the post over a period that saw the firm integrate into Allfunds, the B2B wealthtech platforms for the fund industry.

The board of MainStreet Partners said Neill Blanks will be taking over as CEO. Blanks, who joined MainStreet Partners in 2020, has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, including senior roles at Schroders and Dalton Strategic Partnership.