Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Jade Fellowes, Client Services Director & Head of Intermediaries, Suntera Global

Date: 17 Sep 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Jade Fellowes, Client Services Director & Head of Intermediaries, Suntera Global.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role

I joined Suntera Global just over four years ago in the Jersey office before stepping into my current role in UK. I lead our corporate and private wealth offering in our London office, acting as an on-the-ground point of contact for clients and intermediaries. My team looks after private client and corporate structures for ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices and institutional investors, and my focus is to ensure that we build and maintain long-lasting relationships with every client that comes through our door.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same, and I love that it keeps me on my toes. As an early riser, I start each day off by checking emails, and organising my day before the team gets in. I sit on boards for a number of companies and act as a trustee, which takes priority meaning that I spend a good portion of my day signing anything from refinancing, SPAs, investment-related and property-related documentation and so on.

When a new deal lands, it’s all hands on deck! Nothing gets the professional adrenaline going quite like a time-critical transaction!

Another key part of my role is networking with intermediaries, whether that’s at conferences, one-to-one meetings, or roundtables etc. I’m also involved in marketing initiatives and often write content, prepare pitches, and draft articles or fee proposals. Since moving back to the UK, I’ve enjoyed hearing what others are seeing in the market and how different service lines are adapting to an ever-changing regulatory environment. In many ways, we are all in it together.

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

Given the UK government love to throw us curveballs over here, our time over recent months has been spent assisting clients and working with their advisers to discuss options and solutions to structure their wealth in line with generational wealth transfer. Some of this has involved devising a plan B. On a positive note, we have supported UHNW clients with infrastructure to launch their business in UK which is an ever-popular service line. We are also in the process of migrating a digital asset structure for a client from an offshore jurisdiction to UK which involves multi-jurisdictional touchpoints within Suntera showcasing a great team effort. Our real estate offering continues to grow as we’re setting up structures to acquire UK commercial property and provide ongoing management & administration services.

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

I am old-school, so when I hear horror stories where clients can’t get through to their relationship manager for weeks on end, that’s a big no no for me, especially for time critical transactions. Firms are leaning more on AI and automation; it’s down to the trustees and directors to keep as many communications channels as possible open and be a trusted adviser at the other end of the phone.

Opening a bank account, is a frequent struggle for UHNWI individuals for reasons such as being a high-profile figure or exited by their banker for unspecified reasons. We have a number of relationships with bankers where we can collaborate and easily place a client based on their needs and risk profile, reducing the arduous task of a filling out a mountain of forms to open a structure’s account.

A client may also come to us for assistance but if it’s clear that their needs are not at a stage where they need us just yet, we will point them in the right direction. We will introduce them to those who can best support their goals, whether that’s acquiring an asset or seeking lending or tax advice.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Taking a leap of faith and saying yes to helping Suntera set up and grow a new UK offering. Being part of the Group’s global expansion plans has been an exciting journey, particularly with the new acquisition of Khepri Limited to elevate our UK offering to full service in three core areas of our business: Private Wealth, Corporate and Funds.

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

Communication, empathy, keep calm under pressure and to have their team’s back. The finance industry is a completely different and more difficult environment to navigate from when I first started 15 years ago, anyone joining the sector now must contend with complex regulation, challenging markets, and geopolitics. As you gain seniority throughout your career, it’s important to remember that you once were an inquisitive and ambitious junior member of staff. Never forget the difference it makes having someone who is always willing to share their experience, provide hands-on training and support, especially if they want to follow the same career trajectory.

Who do you most admire and why?

I greatly admire anyone who keeps going following a period of tragedy, loss, or serious health battles. Having had two close friends overcome cancer in the last three years truly reminds you of the importance of health, which, in the day-to-day hustle of life, is not always easy to prioritise.

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

For work, the Isle of Man! It’s a beautiful island and a great offshore jurisdiction for businesses. Italy for pleasure since I’ve recently come back from a road trip that started in Milan, took me to Rome and then around Venice without any pre-booked accommodation. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a bit of freedom and fabulous food!

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

I’d be running an animal rescue sanctuary without a doubt.

How do you relax after a long day?

This depends on the kind of day that I’ve had. If I’m feeling energetic, I’ll go to run club or reformer Pilates, but for a mental refresh, I’ll go for a hike. Generally, I enjoy anything that involves moving because sitting at a desk for long hours is part of the job description for all of us working in finance. If I’ve been travelling, I’ll come home and flake on the sofa in front of the TV!

Jade Fellowes’ Citywealth Leaders List profile

Suntera Global’s Citywealth Leaders List profile

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