Citywealth WP Club: mentor speaker: Ben Sheldrick

Date: 08 Jul 2026

Karen Jones

Managing Partner UK Immigration, Magrath Sheldrick on leadership, adaptability and succeeding in a changing world where clients and global mobility are key issues for 2026.

As global mobility becomes an increasingly important part of wealth planning, private client advisers are finding themselves working ever more closely with immigration specialists. International families are relocating for lifestyle, education, business and succession reasons, while changing immigration rules continue to influence where wealth is created, managed and preserved.

Against that backdrop, Citywealth welcomed Ben Sheldrick, Managing Partner at Magrath Sheldrick, as the latest mentor speaker at the Citywealth WP Club. Drawing on his experience advising businesses, entrepreneurs and internationally mobile private clients, Ben shared the career lessons, leadership principles and practical advice that have guided him throughout his professional life.

Rather than delivering a technical presentation on immigration law, Ben focused on the personal qualities that underpin a successful career. His message was that while industries evolve and legislation changes, the foundations of professional success remain remarkably consistent.

Sheldrick said.

Careers rarely follow the plan

Ben began by reflecting on his own career, admitting that he never planned to become an immigration lawyer and certainly never expected to become the Managing Partner of a specialist law firm.

That uncertainty, he suggested, should be reassuring rather than worrying for younger professionals.

Careers are rarely linear. They develop gradually through experience, curiosity and a willingness to accept opportunities that may not have been part of the original plan.

His advice was not to become overly focused on reaching a particular title or destination but instead to concentrate on developing skills, remaining open minded and saying yes to opportunities that stretch personal and professional capabilities.

“The role that suits you often finds you,” he observed, encouraging attendees not to worry if they did not yet have every stage of their career mapped out.

The value of specialisation

Ben also reflected on the evolution of Magrath Sheldrick.

Rather than attempting to compete across every area of legal practice, the firm chose to focus on immigration law. That specialist approach has allowed it to build a strong reputation while also developing referral relationships with other law firms that do not regard the practice as a competitor.

It was a useful reminder that success is not always achieved by becoming larger.

Instead, developing genuine expertise in a particular area can become a firm’s greatest competitive advantage.

For professionals in private wealth, where reputation and referrals remain central to winning work, Ben suggested that clarity of purpose and a clearly defined proposition often prove more valuable than trying to offer everything to everyone.

Responding to change rather than fearing it

One of the strongest themes throughout the evening was adaptability.

Immigration law has changed dramatically during Ben’s career, shaped by successive governments, political priorities and international events. Visa routes have appeared, evolved and disappeared, while businesses and private clients have continually needed new advice as legislation has changed.

Rather than seeing constant reform as a frustration, Ben encouraged members to view change as an opportunity.

Markets evolve.

Client needs evolve.

Professional advisers must evolve with them.

He explained that many of the opportunities his firm has developed have arisen because they responded quickly to changing legislation and changing client requirements.

For advisers across the private wealth sector, the lesson extends well beyond immigration.

Whether dealing with tax reform, succession planning, regulation, family governance or international structuring, those who embrace change rather than resist it are often best placed to support clients.

Differentiation matters

Ben also spoke candidly about competition.

When he entered immigration law there were relatively few specialist firms. Today the market is far more crowded, with international law firms, multidisciplinary practices and large advisory businesses all competing for similar clients.

In that environment, technical knowledge alone is no longer enough.

The firms that stand out are those that provide exceptional service, respond quickly, communicate clearly and build genuine relationships with clients.

For Ben, differentiation comes through responsiveness, attention to detail and consistently delivering what clients expect.

Technology may continue to reshape professional services, but trust remains a distinctly human quality.

Leadership is measured when things go wrong

Much of Ben’s advice focused on leadership rather than law.

He encouraged members to remember that every business experiences mistakes, unexpected problems and challenging situations.

What distinguishes successful leaders is not avoiding those moments but how they respond to them.

His advice was simple.

Stay calm.

Avoid unnecessary drama.

Focus on solving problems rather than assigning blame.

Support colleagues rather than criticising them publicly.

People are more likely to remain loyal to leaders who stand beside them during difficult periods.

That culture of trust eventually becomes visible to clients as well.

Ben observed that internal reputation ultimately shapes external reputation.

Businesses known for treating their own people well often develop stronger reputations in the wider market.

Authenticity cannot be manufactured

One of the evening’s strongest messages centred on authenticity.

Ben argued that clients instinctively recognise advisers who genuinely believe in the advice they provide.

Professional confidence is difficult to fake.

The most persuasive advisers are usually those who have complete confidence in the service they deliver and who are prepared to be honest about their limitations.

If a particular jurisdiction or service falls outside their expertise, acknowledging that fact ultimately strengthens rather than weakens client relationships.

Authenticity, he suggested, sits alongside integrity.

Clients remember advisers they trust.

They return to advisers who consistently act honestly.

Long term relationships are built on credibility rather than sales techniques.

Emotional intelligence matters

Ben also encouraged attendees to remember that professional services remain people businesses.

Technical expertise is essential, but emotional intelligence often determines long term success.

He spoke openly about empathy, recognising that many professionals experience self doubt or imposter syndrome at various stages of their careers.

Supporting colleagues, listening carefully and understanding different perspectives all contribute to stronger teams.

Humour also has an important place in professional life.

Used appropriately and authentically, it helps build relationships, reduces tension and creates more enjoyable working environments.

Equally important is learning to ignore unnecessary noise.

Opinions, office politics and external distractions can cloud judgement.

Ben encouraged attendees to remain calm, think rationally and trust their own considered judgement.

Build your reputation before your profile

Professional visibility formed another important part of the discussion.

Ben encouraged younger advisers to become involved in industry organisations, attend conferences, accept invitations to speak and contribute to professional discussions.

These opportunities broaden technical knowledge while also building confidence and expanding professional networks.

However, he stressed that visibility alone is not enough.

A professional reputation is built by consistently being reliable, collaborative and someone others enjoy working alongside.

People recommend advisers they trust.

They also recommend advisers they like.

Helping colleagues, sharing knowledge and collaborating generously often produces opportunities that cannot be planned.

Be prepared to be challenged

Another leadership lesson centred on confidence.

Ben encouraged attendees not to fear disagreement.

Strong organisations employ talented people with different perspectives.

Constructive challenge should be welcomed rather than resisted.

Similarly, successful leaders recruit people who are capable of outperforming them in particular areas.

Creating teams filled with expertise strengthens organisations far more than trying to control every decision personally.

Remaining objective, avoiding emotional reactions and listening carefully all contribute to better leadership.

Relationships remain the foundation

Returning to clients, Ben emphasised that technical excellence alone rarely secures lasting relationships.

Clients want advisers who are dependable.

They want responsiveness.

They want proactive communication.

Most importantly, they want someone they feel they can rely upon during periods of uncertainty.

Building that trust takes time.

It cannot be accelerated through marketing alone.

Instead, it develops through consistently delivering high quality advice while remaining approachable and available.

For professionals working across private wealth, where relationships often span generations, this message resonated strongly.

Looking beyond technical expertise

Closing the session, Ben reminded members that every generation enters a different professional world.

The legal and business environment facing today’s young professionals is very different from the one he entered.

New technologies, changing client expectations and an increasingly international marketplace will continue to reshape professional life.

Yet the qualities that underpin lasting success remain remarkably familiar.

Adaptability.

Integrity.

Empathy.

Curiosity.

Resilience.

And above all, enjoying what you do.

For members of the Citywealth WP Club, the evening offered not only practical career advice but also a reminder that leadership is developed gradually through experience, authenticity and a willingness to continue learning throughout a career.

Citywealth Mentor Takeaways

• Careers rarely follow a straight line. Stay open to unexpected opportunities.
• Develop expertise in an area where you can genuinely add value rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
• Treat change as an opportunity to innovate, not simply a challenge to overcome.
• Differentiate yourself through service, responsiveness and relationships.
• Remain calm when problems arise and focus on solutions rather than blame.
• Build a culture where colleagues feel supported and trusted.
• Authenticity and integrity are among the strongest foundations of long-term client relationships.
• Invest time in professional networks, industry organisations and public speaking opportunities.
• Welcome constructive challenge and surround yourself with talented people.
• Technical expertise is essential, but empathy, communication and emotional intelligence are what turn good advisers into trusted advisers.
• Remember that your internal reputation will ultimately shape how clients and the wider market perceive you.
• Enjoy your work. The most rewarding careers are often built by those who remain curious, adaptable and genuinely enthusiastic about what they do.

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