Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2026

The leading awards for wealth management

Judges

Karen Jones

Citywealth
Editor & CEO

Karen founded Citywealth after a career at News International, The Times, and Sunday Times in the legal, financial and recruitment sections. She also ran the Legalease flagship title Legal Business/Asia Pacific Legal 500, and launched Legal Business Awards and Legal 500 events.

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She founded Citywealth in 2005 and her work as a Citywealth founder and CEO was recognised by multiple awards, having gained no less than eleven Stevie awards in total, with four gold awards amongst these – Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2017) , Most Innovative Woman of the Year – Business Services (2023) and Woman of the Year – Business Services (2024). The growing development of the Powerwomen Awards USA was recognised by another gold Stevie award in the Achievement in International Expansion category in 2024.

Karen’s contributions to business were also noted by the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry SME London Business Awards, presenting her with a silver Business Woman of the Year award in 2024.

Carolyn Gelling

Equiom Group
Director & Head of Corporate 

A financial services professional with a vast range of experience and network gained from over twenty years working across a range of sectors and specialisms, with appointments through to board level in the Isle of Man and elsewhere.

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Carolyn’s career to date has encompassed asset management, corporate governance, corporate finance, listed debt and equity, capital markets, private markets and strategic business development, for private clients and their structures, institutional clients, funds and investment businesses in both the UK and international business jurisdictions and for whom she has held board positions. She has completed the Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction (Masters level) and is a strong advocate for the education and ongoing professional development of company directors. She also has a wealth of experience of small business establishment and ‘scale-ups’.

Carolyn currently serves as a Committee Member of the Institute of Directors Isle of Man Branch. She is a past Chairman of the Isle of Man Wealth & Fund Services Association, a past member of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty and has previously served on the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Corporate Finance and Isle of Man Branch Committees and the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce Finance and Professional Services Committee.

In 2013 Carolyn was named in Citywealth Magazine’s ‘Isle of Man Future Leaders List’, in 2017 included in the IFC Powerwomen Top 200 list and in 2018 and 2019, included in the Citywealth Leaders List for Business Services Financial Advisory & UHNW Services.

Charles Hale KC

4PB
Barrister, Arbitrator (Finance and Children)

Charles Hale KC, Joint Head of Chambers of 4PB, is a family law specialist advocate and Arbitrator, recognised as leading King’s Counsel in both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. As one of the few recognised family UK Silks in both international children and financial work, he is described as “an all-round exceptional advocate able to master both financial and children issues.”

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Notably, his outstanding contributions have led to his various industry nominations, including Legal 500 Silk of the Year Award on three separate occasions, Chambers and Partners Family Silk of the Year, Family Law Awards, Family Silk of the year and in 2025 Charles was awarded runner up for the CityWealth Magic Circle Awards 2025: Barrister of the Year, the only family Silk shortlisted.

Charles has a reputation for handling ultra high net worth, complex cases involving all family issues. As an Arbitrator, a private FDR judge and an early neutral evaluator in both finance and children cases, Charles offers the full spectrum of confidential, out-of-court solutions to complex family disputes. He is qualified to receive instructions directly from international lawyers and often lead teams in multi-jurisdictional cases. He is an active fellow of the IAFL.

Charles is a thought leader in family justice and rule of law issues, regularly contributing to leading journals and publications and as a lead author of several chapters in Rayden and Jackson (the leading family text). He is frequently invited to share his expertise at prominent international conferences, including Guernsey, Jersey, Portugal, South Africa, Dublin and London. In September 2025, he will speak at the IAFL Annual Conference in Nairobi.

Clare Flanagan

Capital Generation Partners
Partner, Head of Client Development

As a Partner and Head of Client Development at Capital Generation Partners, I oversee the growth and retention of our ultra-high net worth and endowment clients.

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My goal is to provide our clients with bespoke solutions that align with their objectives, preferences, and values. I work closely with our investment team and external partners to ensure that we are delivering on our promise. I also lead our marketing and communication initiatives, leveraging my qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. I am passionate about building long-term relationships with our clients and delivering exceptional service and performance.

Edward Gordon-Hall

Druces
CEO

Jessica Smart

Stephenson Harwood
Partner and Head of Immigration

Jessica Smart is a Partner and Head of Immigration at Stephenson Harwood. She is a leading specialist in UK immigration and nationality and advises a range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities.

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For private clients and families, Jessica advises on all UK immigration routes. For her clients in the UK, Jessica supports them with obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (also known as Permanent Residence or Settlement), British citizenship and passport.

For corporate clients, Jessica supports them through the sponsor licence process and subsequent sponsorship of skilled workers. She advises UK businesses on compliance with sponsor licence duties and responsibilities and the law in relation to the prevention of illegal working.

Jonathan Burt

Charles Russell Speechlys
Partner in the International Private Client Group

I am a Partner in the International Private Client division of Charles Russell Speechlys. I have over 30 years of experience. I learned a huge amount about the laws of many countries from my experiences as a Partner with Baker & McKenzie and as Managing Director with Barclays Wealth Advisory where I was also a member of the Management Committee of the International Trusts business.

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Many of my cases arise from deteriorating relationships and the complex and technical legal issues that follow in relation to taxation matters. I can quickly assess what needs to be done and am known to be intuitive and commercially pragmatic. My core practice area includes a wide-ranging discipline incorporating tax, trusts, foundations and corporate structures and succession planning.
I frequently work with business owners and wealth owners in relation to solving their cross-border legal and tax issues. I often advise on the structuring and management of capital across borders, associated immigration issues, investments in real estate or businesses in the UK, tax-related issues and multi-jurisdictional estate planning. My practice has a particular focus on Africa and the Middle East and understand that US citizens are ubiquitous!
I have developed a reputation as a leading expert in devising coherent plans and finding technical solutions across various jurisdictions. I am ranked in Band 1 in Chambers for Private Wealth Law and the Hall of Fame in Legal 500 for Tax, Trusts and Probate.
The legal directories report that I am “very determined to get to the answer, leave no stone unturned and provides innovative solutions” and that I “have a way of resolving complex problems and am driven to finding solutions”. The directory sources report that I “help articulate things with clients, ensuring this is done in a positive way” and that I am “fiercely bright and a really good asset to have on board.”

Michael Lewis

EY
Partner

US and UK dual-qualified personal Tax Adviser able to provide innovative solutions for Ultra High Net worth executives with highly complex tax affairs. Co-head of EY’s US/UK Cross Border Team aiming to cement the team’s dominance in the market. As a Chartered tax adviser in the UK, member of Society Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service in the US (Enrolled Agent) I am able to bring experience and knowledge to solve the most difficult problems.

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Focused on serving Private Equity executives (especially those with Carried interest), Owner Managers / Entrepreneurs and financial services executives.
Specialties: US/UK interaction on personal income, capital and social security taxes. I also provide advice on US Estate and UK IHT Taxes and in tax efficient charitable planning. Understanding the secrets and nuances of tax treaties.

Nathan Prior

Partners Wealth Management
Partner and Head of International

Nathan is Head of PWM International at the leading independent wealth management firm, Partners Wealth Management (PWM). He leads a specialist advisory team focused on advising high-net-worth families across the UK, with particular expertise in multi-jurisdictional tax matters—especially for US citizens and other expatriates.

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Prior to joining PWM in 2015, Nathan was an adviser at Merrill Lynch and Julius Baer. His work has been recognised by the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards, where he received the Wealth Professional Award, and he is also listed in the Citywealth Leaders List.

Olivia Briden

Dixon Wilson
Chartered Accountant

Paul St Romaine

Fairway Group
Director

Paul St Romaine is Director at Fairway Group with responsibility for the administration of a varied portfolio of fund clients covering multiple classification offerings in Jersey within the Funds team.

 

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Paul has over 10 years’ experience in the funds finance industry. Prior to joining Fairway, he worked at a reputable fund services business as a manager, focusing on the administration of both onshore and offshore private equity and mezzanine debt fund structures. Paul also has experience in private client portfolio management.

Paul graduated from Northumbria University with a BA (Hons) Geography degree. He holds the CGIUKI Level 5 Diploma in International Finance and Administration.

The Citywealth Magic Circle Awards celebrate excellence across the private wealth industry, recognising leading law firms, trustees, private banks, advisers and investment managers.

Part of the Citywealth Wealth Management Awards