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.”