Member Article

Birmingham branch of STEP celebrates annual dinner

The Birmingham branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the professional association advising on succession planning, has held its 27th annual dinner at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Record numbers attended the dinner, with more than 180 private client practitioners from in and around Birmingham celebrating the work of local private client professionals in supporting generations of families.

Profits from the dinner were donated to Birmingham based charity SIFA Fireside which works with the region’s homeless and vulnerably-housed people.

STEP is a global organisation that helps families plan for their futures, from drafting a will to advising on issues concerning international families, protection of the vulnerable, family businesses and philanthropic giving. Members, known as TEPs, are internationally recognised as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience.

Sarah Wood of Mills & Reeve has taken over the chairman’s role from Peter Gosling of Higgs & Sons, and she welcomed guests including Patricia Wass, Worldwide Chair of STEP; James Turner, President of the Birmingham Law Society; and John Kelly, Chair of the Birmingham and West Midlands Branch of ICAEW.

She said: “The evening was a huge success, and we were delighted to receive such great support from the Birmingham professional community who advise private individuals. It shows a real commitment to the high standards of advice for which STEP stands.”

Peter Gosling, now vice chairman, said: “Our annual dinner is a wonderful opportunity to share updates and forge valuable links with like-minded professionals. I thoroughly enjoyed my two years as chairman but am happy to hand over the reins to Sarah who I know will do a superb job of leading the branch in its next chapter.”

During the evening, certificates were awarded to two STEP Excellence award winners Nerys Mai Thomas and Rita Ilias Ayed Ella – both members of the Birmingham branch – and congratulations went to everyone recently awarded STEP membership.

Thanks were given to Peter Gosling for his two years supporting the Birmingham branch as chairman, and to Sir Alex Elphinston of Anthony Collins who steps down from both the England & Wales Regional Committee and the Birmingham branch.

The evening was sponsored by Kin Probate and Julius Baer, and guests were entertained by magicians.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Taylor .