Sean is an expert in estate and succession planning at Gateley PLC. He acts for high net worth individuals, ultra-high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations. He advises on complex, tax-efficient wills, the establishment and administration of high value trusts, estate administration and related matters. Sean acts as a professional Executor and Trustee.
Click here for Sean's profile on the Gateley website.
- Can you tell us a bit about your background, and your role at Gateley?
I’m a private client lawyer with over 20 years’ experience based in Gateley’s Manchester office.
- What has been the most memorable piece of work you have been involved in?
The administration of a high value estate with assets in multiple jurisdictions, some awkward tax issues and a very nasty piece of litigation in the U.S. Quite a long time ago now but the matter had so many different issues it still stands out.
- If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what would you have done?
General Manager of a 5 star hotel somewhere exotic. Many of the elements of my present role that I enjoy, (managing a team, meeting people and delivering a service with the aim of exceeding high expectations) but in a more luxurious setting!
- How’s business at the moment?
Very, very busy. Certainly not complaining though.
- In the Covid19 era, what is the main challenge in private client?
Normally clients gain a lot from face to face meetings and obviously those haven’t been possible. We have worked around this as best we can but it’s not quite the same. You can’t replicate a handshake digitally.
- What opportunities can you see?
The situation has prompted clients to really focus on their estate planning. This has generated a lot of work. My expectation is that estate planning will continue to be a priority for more people than it has been in the past even as the present situation calms down.
- How have you found lockdown?
My round trip to the office is over 50 miles a day. I have worked from home on a regular basis for a day a week for a few years now and so I’m used to it but even so, not having to commute to work for 2 months has been a positive benefit. My home office set up is relatively sophisticated though I do need to change the wallpaper.
- How have you kept in touch with colleagues?
I have gone from never having used Microsoft Teams and Zoom to being quite proficient. These packages really help everyone keep in touch and working as a team. Teams makes it much easier to work with the wider private client team nationally.
- What about clients?
In the absence of face to face meetings clients have been communicating through email and mobile phone calls more than ever and that’s worked well.
- What are the 3 things you miss most from your pre lockdown life?
In no particular order, morning coffee from Pret, a good meal in a restaurant with friends and browsing the shelves in Waterstones.
- What do you think the biggest change will be working life post lockdown?
Regular homeworking and related working practices such as paperless working have been embraced by lot of people who haven’t worked this way before through necessity. I’m sure that there will be permanent change as a result and some element of home working is here to stay for a lot of people.
- What’s the first thing you’ll do when lockdown is lifted?
I haven’t seen my mum since February and so that comes first but if I can stop off at Pret and Waterstones on the way……….
- What restaurant you will visit?
