Our Private Client team focuses on what really matters to clients. By offering continuity, consistency, and excellence, we have worked with individuals, entrepreneurs, and their families around the world for over forty years, some into their third generation, deliver tailored trust and fiduciary services, catering for all asset classes. Whether your objective is to preserve, grow or pass on your wealth to future generations, we can help.
Our private client team’s wealth of international trust management experience is bolstered by a vast range of trust, administration, legal, accounting and tax qualifications; the team’s depth of technical strength, experience and commitment to client relationships is echoed by recent industry accolades.
What are you looking for?
→ To partner with a trusted, hands-on trustee and fiduciary who can guide you through the complexities of protecting your assets?
→ To protect your hard-earned international business interests, investments, property portfolios and other high value assets?
→ To meet your asset protection needs with the ability to retain a formal role within the structuring of your wealth?
→ To ensure that you are prepared, and your wealth is adequately structured, to transition smoothly across generations?
→ To minimise the impact of issues such as foreign inheritance taxes, probate formalities and confidentiality concerns?
Our private wealth solutions
Wealth structuring
From entrepreneurs to royal families, we have been appointed to structure and administer complex, cross-border private wealth solutions for our clients. These may hold international business interests, investments, property portfolios and other high value assets in structures using trusts, companies, foundations and partnerships.
Fiduciary services
As the global regulatory and environment continues to evolve, independent trustees and directors are required to provide increased oversight. We are an experienced and trusted independent provider of trustee, director, and other fiduciary solutions.
Private Trust Companies (PTCs) and Private Trust Foundations (PTFs)
Our clients are increasingly looking to retain an element of control in their international fiduciary structures. PTCs and PTFs can serve as a corporate trustee of all your family trusts and provide optimum control, governance and confidentiality.
Article Jersey Foundations: innovating in dynastic structures by Sheena Hugget, Director of Private Wealth, VG
Protector and enforcer services
We can work with your existing team of trust professionals to embed appropriate and independent counterbalance and oversight within your structure to ensure fulfillment of its purpose.
Read more about how protector and enforcer services can serve as a tool for defusing and avoiding conflicts and enforcing a structure's purpose >>.
Luxury assets
Ownership of luxury assets such as yachts, private aircraft, classic cars and art can fulfil lifestyle ambitions or investment goals; but require careful consideration when structuring their ownership.
Family governance
No matter the sophistication or complexity of your structures and family dynamics, we will work with you to create and maintain a robust corporate governance framework to preserve and create orderly transfer of your wealth
Real estate investment services
Our clients have substantial interests in commercial and residential real estate; this asset class poses different challenges to others. We work closely with your advisers from asset purchase through to sale, including all aspects of financing, maintenance, and tenant management. Our expert team has a wealth of experience managing structures holding residential assets through to large-scale commercial real estate including office blocks, industrial, student accommodation, retail, hospitality and logistics.
Registered office
There are some instances where clients are appointed as sole director but require support with ancillary services. We can provide the right level of assistance and corporate governance needed by our clients through the provision of standalone or integrated services including a registered office, Jersey nominated person, company secretary, administration, bookkeeping and preparation of financial statements.
Family investment companies (FICs)
Use of FICs has grown significantly in recent years by individuals with a desire to pass on their wealth without giving ownership in name to the beneficiaries. A FIC is a bespoke corporate vehicle which uses different share classes to help distinguish between economic and voting interests, thus allowing some control or influence over the family’s wealth protection.
Philanthropy and charity
Ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and their families are increasingly applying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks to their philanthropic and charitable donations whilst also moving away from simple charitable donations, where the recipient would spend the money as they see fit, and towards a much more dynamic, innovative and hands-on approach. Trusts, companies and foundations are effective means of bringing philanthropic and charitable objectives to fruition.
Family succession
As successful families’ wealth passes through generations, we add value by becoming a trusted partner and integral part of your support network. Working in partnership with families, we learn the intricacies of families’ dynamics, the purpose of their wealth and gain insight into their vision, values and beliefs. This ensures effective management of often complex and cross-border asset portfolios, whilst working through tax and regulatory matters, to ensure efficient succession by future generations
What can you expect from us?
A personal and bespoke service
We spend time getting to know what matters to you, to create plans that help you to preserve, grow and pass on your wealth. We will partner with you and your advisers to understand your objectives, find the right solution and support you as your needs change; if we think there is a better solution, we will let you know.
Flexibility and reliability
Solid relationships are based on open communication, shared vision, and trust. Each client relationship is director-led, meaning that you will always have direct access to key decision makers who can respond quickly.
Your Private Client Director will be supported by a handpicked and dedicated team with the experience and qualifications to meet your needs. We maintain regular contact, are proactive in our approach and our team responds promptly to enquiries to give you, your family, and advisers information in a timely manner.
Long-lasting partnerships
Understanding you, your family and your aspirations is key to helping you to achieve your short and long-term financial and personal goals. We work alongside you as an extension of your legal and advisory team, building an open relationship with you and your family to protect your legacy for years to come.
Value for money
Our team will work with you to recommend cost effective solutions. Our ‘no surprises’ approach to fees assures transparent and competitive pricing.
Cultural understanding
We are recognized for our market-leading knowledge and award-winning expertise administering Shariah-compliant solutions; we understand the intricacies and nuances of meeting different cultural requirements across the globe and the importance of getting it right.