CEO Heather Tibbo as well as Directors Daniel Channing and Laura Parkes have all been included in the latest Private Client Global Elite directory, published this week by international legal publishing group Law.com.

Launched in 2017, the directory is collated through peer recommendation and serves as a highly respected point of reference for the world’s top private client and trust​ and estates litigation talent, as well as rising stars within the industry.

Commenting on the recognition, Heather said:

“This year marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Crestbridge Family Office Services as an independent and privately owned business. What is not changing however, is the shared dedication and commitment we have as a team to providing clients with first-class service, and that is reflected in our strong representation in this year’s directory of elite private client practitioners.”

This marks Heather’s sixth consecutive year of inclusion in the prestigious list, which is compiled by the specialist private wealth publisher. Selection is determined by a number of criteria, from achievement and contribution, to those helping to shape the industry’s future.

In 2023 Heather took on the role of CEO at Crestbridge Family Office Services to continue to shape the firm’s next chapter as a privately-owned, independent business.

Heather commented: “ I would like to thank eprivateclient for my inclusion in this list which is, above all else, a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our team.

As we begin 2024 from our new offices in the heart of St Helier, we look forward to working alongside our clients and partners, exploring new and exciting opportunities together.”

Held in Jersey this week (7th December), the Awards celebrate excellence, knowledge and best practice across the private wealth sector in Jersey and Guernsey. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges.

In particular, the Award recognises the firm’s creative use of communications to mark its milestone anniversary. Entitled REFLECT10NS, the campaign recognised the success and growth the firm has seen since it was established in 2013, while also focusing on its future journey and aspirations.

It aimed both to engender a sense of pride internally amongst the team, while also communicating to external stakeholders the importance it attaches to listening to clients to help improve future performance and first-class client service.

The Awards, which were held in Dubai last week (16th November), celebrate and recognise excellence, knowledge and best practice across the private wealth sector in the Middle East and North Africa region, with winners being selected by an independent panel of judges.

This award serves to underline Crestbridge’s proposition in the Middle East market, where it has developed strong relationships built up over a number of years, with the team supporting the global and increasingly complex objectives of a growing number of families based in the region.

Crestbridge Family Office Services CEO Heather Tibbo commented on the award win:

“Gaining recognition through this award is a reflection of our unique proposition in the Middle East, a rapidly evolving market where we have earned a leading reputation thanks to our team’s ability to understand the dynamics, needs and demands of our clients.

“It is testament to our team’s knowledge of the domestic landscape, of our Islamic Finance capabilities and of our global reach – and it is fitting that this award comes as we celebrate our tenth anniversary this year, as we look forward and continue to enhance our proposition both in the Middle East and beyond.”

Jersey-based Danielle is included in the ePrivateClient NextGen Leaders List, published this week. The list recognises and celebrates rising stars from across the private client landscape in the UK and Crown Dependencies. In compiling the list, the publication considered a number of factors, including individual achievements over the past year, and career progression.

Danielle was also featured in the publication’s Channel Islands NextGen Leaders List earlier this year.

Danielle has 13 years’ multi-jurisdictional experience in the finance industry. She provides oversight to a large team administering structures that hold investment portfolios, financing vehicles and commercial and residential real estate for high profile international families, many of thern require Islamic Finance expertise.

Danielle holds the ICSA Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration, the CISI Islamic Finance Qualification, the STEP Advising Family Businesses and Family Business Governance Qualification, the CISI Sustainable and Responsible Investment Certificate and is working towards the TGCI Diploma in ESG.

The latest recognition maintains a successful twelve months for Danielle, who was also named Winner of the “Rising Star Under 40” Award at the 2022 WealthBriefing European Awards and was a Gold Winner of the 2022 Citywealth Powerwomen Awards in the “Woman of the Year – Rising Star” category.

Paul Hunter, Managing Director of Crestbridge Family Office Services, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, said: “Crestbridge Family Office Services can demonstrate a strong track record in both attracting and supporting talent, and Danielle is a perfect reflection of that.  Although she is recognised as a NextGen Leader, she is already supporting highly complex family office requirements and, as a senior member of our team, is contributing to our shared success and driving our growth strategy. I’m delighted for Danielle, whose approach and commitment mirror our collective values.”

Crestbridge Family Office Services, which is not part of this transaction, will continue to operate independently and provide its private client, trust and fiduciary services whilst remaining privately owned. It will continue to support its clients and their advisers with the same commitment and dedication they have experienced over the last ten years.

Having joined Crestbridge ten years ago to establish Family Office Services, Heather Tibbo now takes the reins as Chief Executive Officer with Paul Hunter as Managing Director. They will continue to be supported by the current team of Family Office Services professionals ensuring continuity of services and relationships.

Chief Executive, Heather Tibbo, said:

“Over the last ten years, Crestbridge Family Office Services has demonstrated a clear focus on its specialism for families and ultra-high net-worth clients and advisers. I am excited about the future for our business, our people, and the continuing opportunity to grow and develop our array of services, delivering excellence to our clients and advisers whose interests I firmly believe are best served by our remaining independent.”

Sophie won Gold in the ‘Business Development Manager of the Year’ category, with the accolades being presented at an Awards ceremony held in London this week (20th June).

Now in their eighth year, the Awards recognise the best brands across the private wealth landscape and champion the individuals and teams driving positive change and demonstrating best practice across the marketing, business development, public relations and communications sectors.

Sophie, who joined Crestbridge in January this year, has built a career as a business development specialist over the past ten years, working across the trust and company service provider sector in Jersey to support strategic business goals. As well as working with colleagues to facilitate the onboarding of new clients, Sophie also supports the team’s marketing efforts and is a champion for the business’ client relationship-driven approach. She holds the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management and the ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering.

Commenting on Sophie’s success, Daniel Channing, Director, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said: “In a highly competitive market, it’s imperative that we effectively communicate how we differentiate ourselves.  I’m delighted for Sophie – she has contributed to our business development strategy this year and her efforts, along with those of our wider marketing and business development team, have proved pivotal in cementing our positive reputation.”

Jersey-based Directors Danielle Cottignies and Laura Parkes are included in the ePrivateClient Channel Islands NextGen Leaders List – previously the ‘Top 35 Under 35’ list – published last week. The list recognises and celebrates rising stars from across Jersey and Guernsey’s private client landscape.

In compiling the list, the publication considered a number of factors, including individual achievements over the past 12 months, and career progression.

Danielle was one of the first to join Crestbridge Family Office Services in 2014, rising swiftly to become the team’s youngest director. She leads a large client team and manages several key family office structures, including for Middle Eastern clients that involve multiple asset classes, Shari’a-compliant structures, and multi-jurisdictional factors. She is also a leader within the business in understanding the risks and opportunities of structures with ESG investment and monitoring requirements.

Laura’s career in fiduciary services spans 18 years, joining the Crestbridge team in 2022. She is responsible for a number of mid-cap client family office relationships and leads a team who service over 60 entities. She also supports the firm’s clients with US connections and has supported the onboarding  of new high-profile relationships. Laura is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Paul Hunter, Group Head, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said: “Crestbridge has a strong track record in attracting and nurturing talent, and that’s reflected in the inclusion of two of our team in this list celebrating young and emerging Channel Islands leaders. I’m delighted for Danielle and Laura, who have both made huge contributions over the past year. Their approach, attitude and commitment mirrors the values we share as a team.”

The event brought together leading international private client lawyers and experts from around the world to focus on and discuss the key current and future issues facing families. In attendance were Crestbridge Fiduciary’s Betty Andrikopoulos, Heather Tibbo, and Daniel Channing. 

Betty also moderated a session entitled ‘Family Governance– binding or bunk?’, which explored the value of formal family governance in the context of varying and often unspoken and conflicting individual views. Featuring expert panellists Nick Jacob, Partner at Forsters, and Piers Barclay, Partner at Macfarlanes, the session brought a number of key issues to the surface, including:

– multiple family members inevitably have different priorities and philosophies and tying them together is often very difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Family constitutions and charters can be quite useful, but it’s important to act on those documents and not let them fall into a black hole;- family disputes are unavoidable and no governance framework can mitigate dysfunction or poor family dynamics – but having a governance process in place can bring different perspectives to the table to help family members find some consensus and alignment on shared values and priorities; and
‍
– strong family culture, values and ‘buy-in’ are the underpinnings of families who communicate effectively. If these are in place, a solid family governance process can help families improve decision-making within and across generations.

Commenting after the event, Betty said:

“We live in a world where regulation, scrutiny and governance are at the heart of everything a family does, from investing to business operations to wealth transfer and succession planning. Family governance is a complex topic, and this session brought to life some of the practical challenges families and family advisors face when it comes to integrating governance frameworks into their overall family structure.

Governance can not only be a thorny issue, but also a time-consuming process. However, it is clear that family governance is a critical consideration, particularly for large families with multiple stakeholders and members. Having a set of structures and processes can be helpful in providing a means to our solution on issues, enabling a family to move forward.”

The event brought together leading international private client lawyers and experts from around the world to focus on and discuss the key current and future issues facing families. In attendance were Crestbridge Fiduciary’s Betty Andrikopoulos, Heather Tibbo, and Daniel Channing. 

Betty also moderated a session entitled ‘Family Governance– binding or bunk?’, which explored the value of formal family governance in the context of varying and often unspoken and conflicting individual views. Featuring expert panellists Nick Jacob, Partner at Forsters, and Piers Barclay, Partner at Macfarlanes, the session brought a number of key issues to the surface, including:

– multiple family members inevitably have different priorities and philosophies and tying them together is often very difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Family constitutions and charters can be quite useful, but it’s important to act on those documents and not let them fall into a black hole;- family disputes are unavoidable and no governance framework can mitigate dysfunction or poor family dynamics – but having a governance process in place can bring different perspectives to the table to help family members find some consensus and alignment on shared values and priorities; and
‍
– strong family culture, values and ‘buy-in’ are the underpinnings of families who communicate effectively. If these are in place, a solid family governance process can help families improve decision-making within and across generations.

Commenting after the event, Betty said:

“We live in a world where regulation, scrutiny and governance are at the heart of everything a family does, from investing to business operations to wealth transfer and succession planning. Family governance is a complex topic, and this session brought to life some of the practical challenges families and family advisors face when it comes to integrating governance frameworks into their overall family structure.

Governance can not only be a thorny issue, but also a time-consuming process. However, it is clear that family governance is a critical consideration, particularly for large families with multiple stakeholders and members. Having a set of structures and processes can be helpful in providing a means to our solution on issues, enabling a family to move forward.”