Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Sean Williams, Gateley Legal

Date: 08 May 2024

Ashleigh John

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Sean Williams, Partner & Head of Private Client at Gateley Legal.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My working day follows quite a typical structure. I start by preparing for the day ahead, reading my emails, checking my schedule and catching up with my team. I’ll then tend to spend two thirds of the rest of the day in calls or meetings, with the remainder of time spent signing off written advice.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions you have received.

I recently advised a self-made, very successful entrepreneur on a strategy for gifting their business to its staff. It’s great to see those who achieve great success giving back to those who have been instrumental in getting them there, so this was both an interesting and nice instruction to work on.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Our clients have typically seen a significant increase in their wealth over recent years, so their estate planning is an ongoing challenge. We advise on strategies to protect their assets in a tax efficient way.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Like most lawyers who achieve partnership, being asked to join the partnership remains my proudest professional achievement. As all partners will attest to, achieving partnership takes a lot of hard work and dedication, so to reach this milestone was a huge honour.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

The two that spring to mind would be vision and patience. It’s important for any good leader to have a vision of where they see their team progressing in order to stay one step ahead, but at the same time they need to be patient with their team in order to make sure everyone is brought along on the journey. 

Who do you most admire and why?

Adrian Newey, having been an F1 fan for nearly 40 years I admire his genius and consistent ability to produce winning designs.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

Las Vegas for my fiftieth birthday attending an Ed Sheeran gig, viewing the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. The Grand Canyon was amazing and deserves its place as a wonder of the world.

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

Managing a 5-star hotel. Growing up I spent a lot of time in my grandfather’s 15-bedroom guesthouse which he owned and ran until he retired. The industry has interested me ever since with many of the elements of my present role (managing a team, meeting people and delivering a service with the aim of exceeding high expectations) but in a more luxurious setting!

How do you relax after a long day?

I’m an avid reader, mostly modern history. I’m currently reading ‘The strange survival of Liberal Britain’ by Vernon Bogdanor which is a fascinating book on the Edwardian era and how the issues of that time are still with us today. Probably my favourite series of books is the Aubrey/Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian which I have read time and time again though I enjoy anything by P.G. Wodehouse and always take one of his novels on holiday.

You can view Sean’s profile on the Leaders List here.