Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Amy Lane, Partner, Private Client, Gunnercooke
This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Amy Lane, Partner, Private Client, Gunnercooke.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I am a Partner in the Private Client team at gunnercooke. My focus is primarily on lifetime estate planning for individuals, families, businesses, land owners and farmers.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I am going to give a typical lawyer answer – it depends! If I am working at the office, it will be a number of meetings around the City (and usually a lunch or coffee with a colleague to catch up!). If I am at home, I try to keep those days free to focus on drafting and client calls. I am also quite active on social media, so often posting about something legal with a bit of life thrown in for good measure!
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
I am lucky that most of my clients have an interesting story! I am currently working on a project with a family who own a large piece of land with potential development opportunities, so we are working through options for that.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
The world of estate planning feels very uncertain at present following the change of Government, the Budget and the Autumn Statement looming. It’s hard for clients not to have ideas based on speculation, so holding their hands and calming them during this period of uncertainty is my priority.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
I was shortlisted as one of only six professionals worldwide for ‘Young Practitioner of the Year’ at the STEP awards a few years back. It was a real pinch me moment seeing my face on a big screen and the moment when I finally realised that I was doing ok with my career!
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Being approachable and communicating in a way people understand. The law and tax is complex, so it’s important to be able to explain things to colleagues, clients and professional contacts in a way that they understand.
Who do you most admire and why?
That’s a difficult one when you’re surrounded by a powerhouse of amazing friends, and I couldn’t single only one of them out. I would say my Granny – she was a business owner in the 60s, so very ahead of her time where women in the workplace was less common, always very glamorous and remained the life and soul of every party.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
I went travelling around Borneo for two weeks in March and it was wonderful to see all the wildlife, experience staying in a longhouse with a local family and the beautiful beaches. My best friend from primary school came, so it was great to spend some proper time with her. A real bucket list trip, followed by a yoga break in Bali afterwards – it was amazing!
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
It would definitely be something outside – I love being outside, walking or gardening. One of my lawyer friends and I often joke about opening a florist together with a big pick your own area, and a little café on the side!
How do you relax after a long day?
Walking – I generally walk for over an hour a day, although it’s less easy to do with the light changing! The beach is the place I enjoy being at the most, so I am there usually once a week. I am very lucky to live in such a beautiful pocket of the UK.
If you could recommend one person in the private wealth industry who would it be, and what would you say about them?
Alexandra Gordon at Tassells – Alex used to be my supervisor at the firm I qualified at and we have remained friends ever since. She’s been a huge support to me over the years, really championing my move to gunnercooke, and is smashing her new role owning Tassells in Faversham!
gunnercooke’s Citywealth Leaders List profile
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