Accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson, which has an office in Bristol, has won a major international award for the private client advisory profession.
The firm topped the Multi-Family Office Team of the Year category at the STEP Private Client Awards – the pre-eminent international competition highlighting excellence across the private wealth sector among private client solicitors/attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers and financial advisers.
The award continues a winning run for the firm in the awards, which are staged by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). 
Last year it scooped the Investment Team of the Year as well as the Accountancy Team of the Year, besides being a finalist in the category of Multi-Family Office. The firm was also named Investment Team of the Year in 2009/10 and 2010/11
For nearly 100 years, Smith & Williamson has been advising land-owning families whose wealth has accumulated over generations as well as entrepreneurs who have created considerable financial assets.
Jerry Barnes, pictured, partner and head of landed estates and family office in Smith & Williamson’s Bristol office, said: “We are thrilled to win this award which underlines the depth and breadth of our multidisciplinary teams and which include specialists from the firm’s investment management, tax, trust and financial planning departments.
“We wouldn’t have received this accolade without the wonderful commitment and dedication of our staff who are always prepared to go that extra mile for our clients. I would like to thank them for their continuing support and hard work.”
Chair of the presiding judges, Paul Stibbard TEP, said: “Smith & Williamson’s nomination demonstrated true commitment to providing a comprehensive service to their clients. Dedicated partners to manage the needs of each generation of a family and address their distinct and differing concerns were strong examples of their dedication to best practice which greatly impressed the judges.”
STEP has 19,000 members across 80 jurisidictions.
