Smith & Williamson scoops Louise Somerset and her team from RBC Wealth Planning
Smith & Williamson has taken on a four-person private client tax team, led by Louise Somerset who joins the firm as partner.
The team, which will operate from Festival House in Jessop Avenue in the heart of Cheltenham, specialises in advising high net worth individuals and has particular experience in working with internationally mobile families, including ‘non-domiciles’, and assisting them with tax, trusts and international pension arrangements.
The team joins from RBC’s Wealth Planning Division. Louise commented on moving to Smith & Williamson:
“We are thrilled to be joining Smith & Williamson with its strong professional reputation for advice on tax and financial matters. This is an exciting opportunity for myself and the team and we look forward to developing the name of Smith & Williamson in Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and further afield, using our experience in UK and international tax matters.“
Kevin Stopps, co-chief executive of Smith & Williamson, commented:
“We are delighted that Louise, Krista and team are on board. Their appointment and skill set is firmly in line with Smith & Williamson’s commitment to meeting the financial needs of private clients and their business interests.”
Joss Dalrymple, national head of private client tax at the firm, added:
“The arrival of this heavyweight tax team is a great addition to the national tax practice. I have known Louise for some years and I am particularly pleased to be welcoming her and colleagues to Smith & Williamson.”
Operating from Cheltenham, the new team will have the full support of the wider Smith & Williamson business, particularly from the Birmingham office which has a headcount of 48 people from the investment management as well as tax and business services divisions.
Additionally, Smith & Williamson has an office in Bristol with around 180 staff and which offers a very broad range of financial advisory services under one roof, from accountancy, tax and financial planning to investment management.
Louise is a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners and Krista a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Before working at RBC, Louise was a partner at PwC.