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Chris is a partner in the private client and tax team.
He advises individuals, families and trustees on UK tax issues, succession planning, business and investment structuring, philanthropy and governance issues.Chris has 'an astonishing intellect' (Chambers HNW, 2020) and years of experience which he uses in advising private clients and trustees to help them create structures that allow them to achieve their goals, be they commercial, family or philanthropic. His clients come from many walks of life, whether living in the UK permanently or temporarily, or in other jurisdictions, they look to Chris to provide them with practical and commercial solutions to the challenges and opportunities that life presents.
Chris started work at Withers in 1999 as a trainee, was made a partner in 2007 and head of department in 2019.
He is one of eprivateclient's 50 most influential private client practitioners, 2024.
Recent recognition
Track record
Dynastic trust structure
Advising a family with members based in a number of different countries in Europe and also in the USA with regard to their dynastic trust structure.
New charitable foundation
Advising a UK family with regard to the endowment of a new charitable foundation and the subsequent funding of projects in the UK and overseas.
Tax efficient funding
Advising a UK resident non-domiciliary with regard to the tax efficient funding of UK charitable projects from non-UK funds.
Private investment fund
Advising a European family with regard to the establishment of private investment fund and property investment structure together with a trust holding structure.
Setting up a UK investment fund
Advising UK resident domiciled investment managers on the establishment of an investment fund and appropriate personal tax planning.
Family business activities structuring
Advising a family with regard to the structure of the family's business activities in the US and the UK as well as the family charitable foundation.
Drafting of estate plan
Drafting of a comprehensive estate plan for a UK resident Japanese family.
Tax efficient investment
Advising the family office of a UK resident non-domiciled family with regard to tax efficient investment options.
Insight
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External publications
'The Practice of International Philanthropy', International Charitable Giving, Oxford University Press
Barnsley on Land Options, co-author
McCutcheon on Inheritance Tax, co-author
Admissions
England and Wales, 2001
Education
University of Edinburgh, M.A.
Languages
- English
Key dates
- Year joined: 1999
- Year became partner: 2007