Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Bev Stewart, Stonehage Fleming

Date: 02 Apr 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Bev Stewart, Head of Family Office, Jersey at Stonehage Fleming.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am the newly appointed head of the Stonehage Fleming Jersey Family Office.  My role involves being a key adviser to wealthy international families, helping with management of their family affairs, leading the Jersey Family Office team and business development.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I start early, often at 5am, to get a head start on emails, planning priorities as well as meeting preparation for the day ahead.  I have a young family so my mornings are busy.

I spend a large part of my day engaging with clients on their immediate needs, while planning ahead and thinking strategically about their objectives, changes in circumstances, and any forthcoming changes to tax laws, for example.  I also keep an eye on global wealth management trends and what is going on in the market so that I am well prepared for any topics that clients may wish to speak about.

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

I have recently helped a client look at their overall structures holistically with a view to creating efficiencies and streamlining the management of their investments and philanthropic activities.  This involved devising a project plan, obtaining tax advice across multiple jurisdictions to refine then finally implement the strategy.  It was really rewarding to assist with distilling the relevant considerations for my client and be involved in bringing it all together.

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

Working in a multi-family office, we are exposed to a lot of varied issues ranging from cross-jurisdictional challenges to managing family dynamics.  I try to assist clients by coming up with an over-arching view to put their objectives into context and help them weigh up the options and considerations.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest moments are working as a team to come up with a solution to a client’s complex cross-border needs, bringing in colleagues from across the globe, for example, our US and UK tax and legal specialists, investment management, philanthropy and fiduciary.  I love being able to service clients holistically, often a their single point of contact.  I also really enjoy the internal relationships that this fosters.  

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

Listening, authenticity, being dynamic in an evolving environment and thinking strategically. 

Who do you most admire and why?

Ruth Bader Ginsberg – she was a powerhouse with a sharp legal mind and challenged the status quo.

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

London – Stonehage Fleming has a large office in London and it is a hub for meeting clients from all over the world.  I also enjoy catching up with my London-based colleagues.

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

I love working in the finance world.  The work is so varied and interesting.  My background in investment banking has given me a wide view of the broader industry, and there are endless possibilities in terms of career paths and opportunities.  I wouldn’t be anywhere else.

How do you relax after a long day?

I always try to make it home to read to my two small children before their bed time.  This invaluable time with them helps me relax.  I also enjoy walking on the beautiful Jersey cliff paths and sometimes, a cold dip in the sea on the weekends.