The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, with Heather awarded the top prize for leadership, in recognition of her commitment to delivering innovative solutions to clients in the region and championing service excellence.

Commenting on the award win, Heather said: “The Middle East remains an absolutely critical strategic market for Crestbridge, with our team having built exceptional knowledge and deep relationships in the region over the years. It is a market I have become particularly close to and I am therefore delighted and honoured to accept this Award. I am, however, also proud to lead such a highly skilled team that understands the nuances of the market and is committed to supporting the increasingly complex and sophisticated ambitions of families in this dynamic region.”

Stephen Harris, CEO of ClearView Financial Media’s and publisher of WealthBriefing, added:

“Every category winner has undergone a rigorous and independent judging process and should be rightly proud of their achievements this year. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all winners and highly commended firms. They are all worthy recipients and now join an elite group of wealth management professionals who represent the very best of the industry across MENA and beyond.”

Read WealthBriefing MENA Awards 2025 Acclaim.

In his role, Jersey-based Ashley will take a lead on client service delivery, with a particular focus on the firm’s Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients across the UK, Ireland, the Middle East and Africa. He will also oversee the management of a broad range of trust and corporate structures holding a wide range of assets.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the finance industry supporting the specialist needs of multi-jurisdictional clients, Ashley joins Crestbridge having previously worked for more than two decades at a major global bank. In a number of senior level roles, he has built considerable expertise in the private client sector, providing specialist support in the management of various asset classes including discretionary and advisory managed portfolios, private equity investments, gold and commercial property.

He is a member of STEP and holds the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management.

Ashley’s appointment maintains Crestbridge’s growth trajectory this year, which has seen the addition of significant senior industry expertise to the privately-owned firm’s team, to support its client base of top-end global families.

The events in Riyadh, Doha and Dubai – attended by Crestbridge Family Office Services CEO Heather Tibbo – attracted a high-calibre audience of current and future female leaders, and featured a number of keynote talks, discussion sessions and networking opportunities to create a platform for sharing insights and championing the importance of female advocacy.

Reinforcing the strategic importance of the region to Jersey as an international finance centre, the events were also attended by senior representatives from the Government of Jersey, including Minister for Treasury and Resources Deputy Elaine Millar and Helen De La Cour, Director of Financial and Professional Services, as well as key representatives from the Jersey Financial Services Commission, Director General Jill Britton and Kerry Petulla, Executive Director of Enforcement, Intelligence and Financial Crime.

Key themes discussed at the events, which were hosted by Jersey Finance Director – GCC, An Kelles, included:

• How women are an important force when it comes to wealth management and leading global business ventures
• How the future of family business is increasingly being influenced by women who have earned their seat at the top table
• The importance of advocacy, and of current female – and male – leaders providing clear pathways and opportunities for leaders of the future
• How advisers, partners, and jurisdictions need to be alive to this shifting trend and be adaptable to the ambitions of successful female leaders

Heather Tibbo said: “Through the families we work with, we have seen women taking an increasingly significant stake in family business and wealth management planning over recent years, and that theme came across strongly at Jersey Finance’s Perspectives events in the region. It was notable through the various speakers, however, how the dial has shifted – from women talking about taking a seat at the top table, to actually now owning that seat and advocating for the next generation of female leaders too. This was a really positive showcase for female leadership.

“The events were also important in helping to strengthen the vital relationships Jersey has with stakeholders in the Middle East – a key market where we also have significant experience as a firm and with London as a centre of excellence. We are pleased to be able to support Jersey Finance’s considerable ongoing strategic focus in the region, underlining the high-quality proposition Jersey offers Middle Eastern families of wealth.”

A range of key issues important to globally-dynamic families were on the agenda at the 2025 STEP Miami Summit last week – of which Crestbridge Fiduciary was a sponsor for the fourth consecutive year – from multi-jurisdictional tax planning to the constantly evolving legislative and regulatory environment.

Marking STEP Miami’s 20^th anniversary, the Summit this year was attended by an audience of senior lawyers, accounting professionals, bankers and trust and investment advisors. Across a number of insightful keynote talks and panel sessions, speakers highlighted some of the key issues for trust professionals, with a particular emphasis on Miami’s leading position as a gateway for cutting-edge solutions for the LatAm market.

Amongst the key topics explored by speakers were the challenges and pitfalls when it comes to tax planning across multiple jurisdictions, jurisdictional selection for structuring, and how the needs and objectives of modern families are evolving from an investment, legal and digital perspective.

Steve Sokic, Chairman, Crestbridge Family Office Services, and Darrell King, Managing Director – Americas, Crestbridge Fiduciary attended the event.

As part of the New York programme, Steve Sokić and Darrell King joined Jersey Finance to discuss “US and Offshore Trust Sectors: A Story of Mutual Evolution”, exploring how Jersey trusts can support US clients and the ongoing collaboration between the two jurisdictions.

It was a pleasure to contribute to this event and to continue strengthening connections across our industry.

Read the full article and series highlights here.

With an emphasis on updating cross-border wealth planning techniques for Latin American families, the event – held in Mexico City on 4-5 September and attended by senior lawyers, accounting professionals, bankers and trust and investment advisors – included a broad range of discussions, keynote presentations and roundtable sessions.

Crestbridge Family Office Services (FOS) Assistant Manager Tallie Renouf has received further industry recognition, being included in a list identifying future leaders within the private client industry across the UK and Crown Dependencies.

Tallie is one of the industry’s stand-out young talents recognised in the latest ‘UK and Crown Dependencies NextGen Leaders List’, published this month by eprivateclient (8 September).  Through her inclusion in the national list, she is noted as combining a strong academic record and class topping exam results with a firm commitment to continuous self-improvement and professional development.

Tallie works on a number of the firm’s dynamic and complex structures, providing support to Crestbridge’s team of directors, while she has also taken on the role of mentor to other emerging talent in the team and helps with the organisation of various initiatives as part of firm’s charity committee.

The annual list from eprivateclient recognises and celebrates young practitioners working in diverse areas of the private client sector across the entirety of the UK as well as Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. In compiling the list, judges consider a number of factors, including expertise, achievements over the past year, career progression and company performance.

Tallie was also featured in eprivateclient’s ‘Channel Islands NextGen Leaders List’, published in June.

Commenting on Tallie’s latest success, Steve Le Seelleur, Managing Director, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said:

“Tallie embodies Crestbridge’s ethos, leading by example to bring intellect, aptitude and drive to our team. She fully deserves this national recognition, which builds on her success earlier this year. Being consistently included in initiatives like this is a reflection of the focus Crestbridge has on nurturing young talent and creating an environment where everyone can grow and thrive.”

Following the arrival of Steve Sokić as Chairman earlier this year and alongside CEO Heather Tibbo, Steve Le Seelleur brings further significant senior industry expertise to the independent and privately-owned private client trust and family office-focused firm, as it continues to pursue a strategy of growth.

In his role as Managing Director, Steve has responsibility for the performance of the business, working alongside Heather Tibbo and Steve Sokić to lead a team of highly talented and experienced trust professionals to ensure the delivery of exceptional client service. His arrival reflects Crestbridge FOS’s commitment to the sector, clients and future growth, with the firm having recorded strong organic growth since its inception in 2013, driven by its focus on attracting industry leading professionals, supporting top-end global families, and delivering innovative solutions to NextGen clients.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the fiduciary and wealth management industry, Steve is an experienced practitioner across multiple jurisdictions, with particular experience in the Middle East

Prior to joining Crestbridge FOS, Steve was Managing Director of the Jersey office of a private equity-owned global financial services business and before that was a Director and Member of the Executive Committee of HSBC Private Bank’s trust business in Jersey. He has also sat on the boards of Private Trust Companies and has vast experience managing structures with a wide variety of asset classes. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Commenting on Steve’s appointment, Crestbridge FOS CEO Heather Tibbo said:

“Since establishing the business in 2013, our vision has always been to set new standards of technical expertise and service excellence within our discipline. A senior executive team that can clearly demonstrate those qualities is absolutely critical, and for that reason I’m delighted to welcome someone of Steve’s calibre to the business. The experience and knowledge he has gained throughout his -career, together with his proven ability to lead and develop teams and his belief in the importance of client service, will be invaluable as we continue to support our clients with their wealth planning needs and pursue our bold and ambitious growth plans.”

Steve Le Seelleur added:

“Crestbridge Family Office Services has earned a fantastic reputation in the trust, family office and UHNW private client space, and that is thanks to the quality of its people and the emphasis it places on service quality. It’s a privilege to be joining a business that shares my own values, that demonstrates such a positive people culture, and that has a really high-end portfolio of global clients.  I’m looking forward to working closely with Heather and Steve, as well as my colleagues right across the business, to help us achieve our collective goals.”

Charlie Lucas, who has experience working for clients across a variety of asset classes including discretionary investment portfolios, private equity and real estate, has been promoted to Senior Administrator, whilst Darren Rostron, who provides support for a number of different client structures including discretionary and charitable trusts, private trust companies and foundations, has been made Administrator.

Effective from 1 July 2025, the promotions recognise Charlie and Darren’s achievements over the past year, as well as their ongoing commitment to professional development.

Congratulating them, Paul Hunter, Senior Director, Crestbridge FOS, said:

“Our focus continues to be to ensure we provide an environment where our people can learn, grow and thrive – and it’s in that light that we are delighted to be able to recognise Charlie and Darren’s efforts with the promotions they deserve. Our success as a business is built on the contribution of our whole team, and that’s an ethos that will continue to guide us as we look forward to the second half of 2025 and beyond.”

Tallie is one of the industry’s stand-out young talents recognised in the latest Crown Dependencies NextGen Leaders List, published this month by eprivateclient (11 June). She is noted as combining a strong academic record and a commitment to continuous self-improvement with emotional intelligence and considerable experience – working on a number of the firm’s dynamic and complex structures. She also acts as a mentor to other emerging talent in the team.

The annual list recognises and celebrates young practitioners working in diverse areas of the private client sector in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. To be featured in the list, judges consider a number of factors, including individual expertise and achievements over the past 12 months, career progression, feedback from colleagues, and the performance of their company.

Mark Beer, Client Director, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said: “Crestbridge has a strong track-record in nurturing young talent, reflecting our commitment to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Tallie fully deserves this recognition. She leads by example, through her commitment to professional development, her ability to work as a real team player, and her impressive technical knowledge. Tallie has built strong, trusted relationships with clients, who consistently praise her responsiveness, professionalism, and technical expertise. She is an ambassador for what we stand for at Crestbridge.”