29/01/25

STEP: STEP launches 20th annual Private Client Awards

Press Release from STEP, Wednesday 29th January, 2025.

We are excited to announce that the 2025 STEP Private Client Awards are now open for entries.

STEP is a global professional membership body for lawyers, accountants, trustees and other practitioners that help families plan for their futures. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Private Client Awards, which celebrate excellence in private client practice. They are recognised across the industry as a hallmark of quality.

This year, 25 categories are open to individuals and firms worldwide until 11 April 2025. The finalists will be announced in June and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 18 September. Entries are encouraged from all over the world and the whole private client community.

This year we have substantially revamped the entry criteria across all categories, providing more opportunity for firms and individuals to showcase their achievements. We have also introduced two new awards, splitting the Boutique Firm of the Year and the Rising Star categories into two – Legal and Non-legal – ensuring we recognise talent and excellence right across the broad range of private client disciplines.

Our judging panel represents STEP’s international and multi-disciplinary membership, with experts from Australia, Barbados, Canada, China, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Our sponsors include Evelyn Partners and Katten.

The Chair of the Presiding Judges, Stella Mitchell-Voisin TEP, said: ‘This year marks 20 years since STEP first introduced the Private Client Awards. Their enduring success is a sign of how highly regarded they are within our industry. They truly are the Oscars of the private client world.

‘The rigour and impartiality of the STEP judging process is a huge factor in this and underpin the credibility of these awards. Last year, we received a record number of entries.

‘Making the shortlist is an achievement in itself, and winning provides unrivalled recognition on a global scale. If you are considering entering, I’d highly recommend you do so.’

Tan Shen Kiat TEP is Founder of Kith and Kin, three-time winner of the Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year. He says: ‘As a boutique Singapore law firm founded just before Covid, we are attuned to the term “vulnerability”. Winning a Private Client Award is a strong affirmation to us and a testament to all that we can grow and thrive in times of vulnerability.’

STEP’s Chief Executive Mark Walley said, ‘The Private Client Awards have, over the last 20 years, become the hallmark of excellence for advisors that help families plan for their future.

‘A highlight of the STEP calendar, these awards give us the opportunity to demonstrate the best in the industry, and admire their resilience, adaptability and innovation.

‘We’re particularly proud of the range of categories and our scrupulously objective judging process. I’m looking forward to congratulating our winners in September’.

Beyond celebrating excellence within the industry, the Awards raise money for our Charity Partner. STEP is proud to be working with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the international federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization.

Paola Barbarino, CEO, Alzheimer’s Disease International, said: ‘Alzheimer’s Disease International is so grateful to be the charity partner for the STEP Private Client Awards, especially this year as the awards celebrate their 20^th anniversary. Dementia is recognised as one of the most significant health crises of the 21^st century.

‘Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia and presently, there are over 55 million people living with the condition today. With 139 million people estimated to be living with some form of dementia by 2050, it is critical we strive to raise the vital funds needed in order to continue to raise awareness globally, support our member associations worldwide and ensure that we reach even more people living with dementia and their families.

We look forward to celebrating our partnership at the Awards evening. Thank you to STEP once again for your support, vision and believing in us.’

Further Information

Website: www.pca.step.org Twitter: #STEPPCA

Categories

• Accountancy Team of the Year (large firm)
• Accountancy Team of the Year (midsize firm)
• Boutique Firm of the Year (legal)
• Boutique Firm of the Year (non-legal)
• Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (large firm)
• Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (midsize firm)
• Digital Assets Practice of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year
• Financial Advisor Team of the Year
• International Legal Team of the Year (large firm)
• International Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm)
• Investment Team of the Year
• Multi-Family Office Team of the Year
• Philanthropy Team of the Year
• Private Client Legal Team of the Year (large firm)
• Private Client Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm)
• Rising Star (legal)
• Rising Star (non-legal)
• Trust Company of the Year (large firm)
• Trust Company of the Year (midsize firm)
• Trusted Advisor of the Year
• Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year
  
  

Special Awards

• The Geoffrey Shindler Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession
• Lifetime Achievement Award