Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Ann Morris, EY
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Ann Morris, Senior Manager, US/UK Cross Border at EY.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I am a private client tax advisor specialising in UK/US cross-border matters, with a focus on trusts, estate planning and matrimonial tax. I work with international high-net-worth individuals to provide clear, practical advice on complex issues, helping them navigate multiple tax regimes with confidence. I have almost nine years’ experience in this space and am an Enrolled Agent and ATT qualified, currently progressing towards full STEP membership. I was recently promoted to Senior Manager, where I also play a key role in business development and supporting the next generation of advisors.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are quite the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. My time is split between advising clients on complex cross-border matters, reviewing technical work, and collaborating with colleagues across trust, matrimonial and wider private client teams. I am also involved in training initiatives as part of the wider business committee, ensuring we maintain a high level of technical excellence, as well as contributing to business development and client relationship management.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
One recent engagement involved advising a UK-resident individual on the restructuring of significant overseas retirement assets. This required navigating double tax treaties, differing jurisdictional definitions and withholding requirements. By modelling a range of scenarios, we identified a strategy that reduced the client’s global effective tax rate by approximately 10–15%, while also mitigating the risk of double taxation on a seven-figure withdrawal. I’ve also seen a growing interest in how digital assets are treated within estates, which adds another layer of complexity when advising clients whose wealth no longer fits within traditional models.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges my clients face is uncertainty, not just around the complexities of cross border structuring and differing tax systems, but around decision‑making when circumstances feel personal or emotionally charged. This is particularly true for clients navigating divorce, succession planning, or life across multiple jurisdictions. Before moving into a career in tax, I worked in a hospital environment, which taught me the importance of listening first, building rapport quickly and responding calmly in high‑pressure situations. Those skills have translated directly into my tax advisory work. Clients often don’t just need answers, they need clarity, reassurance, and a sense that someone genuinely understands the broader context they’re dealing with.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
My proudest achievement is building a reputation for combining technical expertise with a pragmatic, empathetic and human approach in a demanding field after changing professions. Delivering a strong financial outcome is important, but I’m very privileged to have found myself in a niche where technical advice, complex fact patterns and empathy genuinely go hand in hand. Helping clients feel reassured and back in control of their affairs is extremely rewarding. I am also proud of my progression to Senior Manager and my growing role in shaping both our client offering and the development of junior talent within the team.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Strong leaders combine technical credibility with emotional intelligence, and for me, the most important attributes in a leader are empathy, integrity and clarity. Technical expertise is a given in advisory roles, but true leadership is about creating an environment where people feel supported, trusted and confident enough to ask questions. The best leaders I’ve worked with are those who remain calm under pressure, communicate openly and lead by example, particularly in an area as fast moving and complex as international tax, where clarity and perspective are just as important as technical precision.
Who do you most admire and why?
As a millennial, one of my earliest reference points for female empowerment in professional spaces was the character Elle Woods, not just for her intelligence, but for her unshakeable resilience. She entered an environment where she was expected to conform and instead drove meaningful change on her own terms by staying true to herself and being deeply passionate about her work. I’ve since been fortunate to work alongside many real‑life women across both healthcare and professional services who embody the same integrity and expertise. I particularly admire how they operate in high‑pressure environments, combining deep technical knowledge with discretion, empathy and kindness towards both clients and their teams. That balance is something I consciously strive for in my own career: being someone who can deliver expert advice and drive change, while never losing sight of the humanity, integrity and emotional intelligence that are essential in any profession.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
My most recent trip was a holiday to Belgrade, Serbia. A friend and I have a tradition of taking an annual trip to a less conventional destination, as a way of seeing more of the world and experiencing places in a more authentic way. Belgrade was a fantastic choice — we explored the city through a traditional food tour, which is always a great way to meet new people, and spent time discovering local breweries, restaurants and of course the main cultural and historical sights. I find that immersing myself in different cultures reinforces the importance of perspective and adaptability in both life and in my work.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
If money were no object, I suspect I’d be pursuing life as an equestrian sportswoman which has been one of my much-loved hobbies throughout my life, although my risk averse nature means a five-star eventing career and winning Badminton Horse Trials would remain firmly aspirational! That said, the commitment, focus and partnership at the heart of the sport are things I’ve always admired, and they mirror qualities I admire just as much in my professional life.
How do you relax after a long day?
As a very social person, I like to recharge by doing things which take me out of my head and into a different environment. I enjoy travelling when possible and in the summer, I volunteer at various equestrian events and horse shows across the south of England, which is a great way to meet people and be part of a community which I really enjoy. I also take regular tennis lessons closer to home, which helps to switch off after a busy day, especially if you keep reminding yourself it’s not about the winning but the participation.e.
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