Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – León Fernando Del Canto, Del Canto Chambers
This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to León Fernando Del Canto, Barrister & Abogado at Del Canto Chambers.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I’m a dual qualified international tax advocate (Barrister in England & Wales and Abogado in Madrid) advising private clients, family offices and closely held businesses on cross border tax and legal matters across the UK, Spain and the Gulf. My work sits at the intersection of private client, corporate structuring and international mobility, which means I translate complex rules into practical decisions that protect families and capital over the long term.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It starts early with Gulf time zones and ends late with the Americas. In between, I’m splitting time between strategy calls, opinion work and hearings or inspections. A constant is coordination—aligning UK, Spanish and UAE rules so that clients can make one confident decision instead of three conflicting ones. I also try to reserve an hour for mentoring our juniors and reviewing thought leadership pieces.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
In the last quarter we’ve helped several internationally mobile families navigate the UK’s evolving domicile framework alongside Spanish residence, Ireland or the UAE—often on tight timelines that require re papering structures, banking and governance. We’re also seeing a sharper pace of Spanish tax inspections (including wealth/ITSGF and residency challenges), where our role is to put evidence and narrative ahead of allegations so files resolve quickly and proportionately.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping them to overcome them?
Three stand out: (1) rule changes that outpace planning cycles; (2) residency and source conflicts across jurisdictions; and (3) succession that respects both family dynamics and civil law/ common law constraints. We solve this with scenario models that show—in plain English—the after tax outcome in each country, a governance “map” for banks and trustees, and a litigation ready pack in case an audit arrives.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Building a genuinely cross border 16 people team—small enough to be personal and agile, yet senior enough to have guided 600+ international matters across the UK, USA, EU and UAE—while being quoted in outlets like the Financial Times and El País. I’m proudest when a client tells us the advice was both correct and clear.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Curiosity to stay current, clarity to make complex issues simple, and composure to decide under pressure.
Who do you most admire and why?
My mentors and my juniors—people who combined technical excellence with humanity. My mentors have taught that the real craft is judgment: knowing when not to act, as much as how to act. My juniors teach me how to remain alert and open minded on an ever changing reality, and what new tools can be used!
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
India and Dubai. I spent time in rural India with close friends—a country I’ve visited regularly since 1989 and one that continues to renew my perspective each time I return. From there, I travelled to Dubai, where I’ve worked intensively for the past 15 years. It was both professional and personal: meeting clients and friends, and participating at a seminar on cross-border residence and the evolving landscape of international tax inspections for UHNWI
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
Teaching and writing on philosophy of law—helping the next generation interrogate how rules shape behaviour.
How do you relax after a long day?
Time with family, a chapter of a good book, and a walk—nothing resets the mind like fresh air.
León Fernando Del Canto’s Citywealth Leaders List profile
Del Canto Chambers’ Citywealth Leaders List profile
Subscribe to the Citywealth Weekly Newsletter to learn more about Private Wealth Management.
Read more:
Monaco-based UHNW and family office specialist joins Ogier’s award-winning private client team
Key Takeaways
- The interview features Andrew Faulkes, an independent adviser in Monaco, specialising in UHNW family consulting.
- Faulkes navigates complex client issues including relocation, visas, and cross-border estate planning.
- He emphasises the importance of authentic leadership and personal connection in his role.
- Faulkes admires Albert Einstein for his brilliance and humanity, reflecting on personal inspirations.
- In his downtime, Faulkes enjoys relaxing evenings with his partner and considers a potential rock star career if musically inclined.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Andrew Faulkes, Faulkes Consulting, Monaco
This week's 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Andrew Faulkes, Founder at Faulkes Consulting, Monaco.
Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Joe Crome, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
This week's 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Joe Crome, Head of Business Development and CAF American Donor Fund at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and shortlisted in the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2026 'Philanthropy Advisor of the Year'.