Citywealth Leaders List, 60 second interview – Jonathan Kropman, Broadfield Law
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Jonathan Kropman, Partner, Private Wealth at Broadfield Law.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
We are partners in the private wealth team in Broadfield. I focus on domestic private wealth matters and client and I am also the new Head of Department for Private Client Services.
What does a typical day look like for you?
For me it is a mix of managing an excellent team, advising UHNWI clients who are a mix on entrepreneurs and old money and helping to re-profile the department as we grow.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
A recent example is addressing tax and succession planning for shareholders of a client business held in a company pre- the disposal of business shares prior to the sale of their company where we advised on creating new trusts using then available reliefs. These dealt both with family succession and tax planning. Additionally it addressed the retention management/apportionment of family responsibility in case warranty liabilities arise in the event of a purchaser claim during a long warranty period. Another and one of the most satisfying pieces of recent work has been to act on implementation of charitable grants under a WIll where the entirety of a fair sized Estate was left to a charity to use for the creation of therapeutic support for elderly people.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
However talented and bright our clients may be, many of whom are absolute leaders in the fields, they seek our advice navigating the ever more complicated legislation around tax planning. We work with them to analyse their personal tax fact patterns, asset holdings and long term plans for themselves and their families and businesses. Other examples coming to mind that we see are where following bereavement and contemplating the administration of a loved one’s estate, families need to address debt of the deceased, who despite being asset rich, may have also been facing crippling tax charges where sometimes the cash flow doesn’t enable the executors readily to settle the tax bills of a deceased. In some worst situations, the deceased dies at just the ‘wrong time’ in the business cycle and Estates can be insolvent. Our help is to advise on the handling, check against falling into the trap of personal responsibility of executors without sufficient asset cover for a deceased’s debts, work through the problems, assist with arranging borrowing where that is possible. Sometimes the advice is to take the ultimate ‘walk away’ position if the Estate is really insolvent, but we work very hard to avoid that worst case scenario.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
There have been many – usually results of negotiations- achieving a good outcome for the client, or helping with sound strategic planning. Of the most satisfying professionally has been seeing former trainees and young associates whom I have helped recruit and train, to rise to be leaders in the law firm, or of practice groups or in another firm or even in industry.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
“Enthusiasm, empathy, drive, honesty, humility and friendliness (Jonathan). I think clarity of ones goals, good interpersonal skills, clear communication, keenness to bring people along’
Who do you most admire and why?
Winston Churchill – an example of willpower to stand firm as a leader against all odds. Not just a blusterer but a man of strategic vision. He recognised the threat early and did not waver in his determination.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
Madrid -pleasure. A beautiful and under recognised City.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
Historian- Victorian Britain as a specialty.
How do you relax after a long day?
A Scotch and ice whilst reading a good book. Most recent was East West Street by Phillipe Sands
Broadfield’s Citywealth Leaders List profile
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