STEP, the global professional body for trust and estate practitioners, announced the winners of its 2025 Private Client Awards last night during a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

It was the 20th anniversary of the awards, which set the standard for excellence in private client practice.

The awards are open to private wealth professionals, including lawyers, accountants, trustees and other private client specialists worldwide.

STEP said there were 337 entries from 25 countries.

Bethel Chambers and Maurice Turnor Gardner both won two awards. Bethel Chambers won Boutique Firm of the Year (legal) and Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year.

Maurice Turnor Gardner won awards for International Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm) and Private Client Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm).

Mark Walley, chief executive at STEP, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners. The STEP Private Client Awards celebrate the private client industry’s best of the best. It is a real accomplishment to be chosen as a winner.”

STEP 2025 Private Client Award Winners

Accountancy Team of the Year (large firm) - BDO



Accountancy Team of the Year (midsize firm)
- Grassi



Boutique Firm of the Year (legal)
- Bethel Chambers



Boutique Firm of the Year (non-legal)
- Islandbridge



Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (large firm)
- Stewarts



Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (midsize firm)
- Boodle Hatfield



Digital Assets Practice of the Year
- Carey Olsen



Employer of the Year
- Axis Fiduciary



Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year
- Wingspan Legacy Partners



Financial Advisor Team of the Year
- Bernstein Private Wealth



International Legal Team of the Year (large firm) - Charles Russell Speechlys



International Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm) - Maurice Turnor Gardner



Investment Team of the Year - Navera Investment Management

Multi-Family Office Team of the Year
- Our Family Office



Philanthropy Team of the Year
- Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)



Private Client Legal Team of the Year (large firm) - Forsters



Private Client Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm) - Maurice Turnor Gardner



Rising Star (legal)
- Aline Mansano, One Wealth Management



Rising Star (non-legal)
- Grace Liu, Legacy Trust Company (Hong Kong)



Trust Company of the Year (large firm)
- JTC



Trust Company of the Year (midsize firm) - Saffery Trust



Trusted Advisor of the Year - Marianne Kayan TEP, EY Private



Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice of the Year
- Bethel Chambers



Lifetime Achievement Award
- Helen Ratcliffe TEP, Broadfield