Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Parisa Jones, Lester Aldridge

Date: 05 Nov 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Parisa Jones, Partner, Trusts and Estates at Lester Aldridge.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am a solicitor and Partner at Lester Aldridge. I am based in our Bournemouth office but have clients across the country. I am a Trust and Estate Practitioner and former Chair of STEP Bournemouth. I am also a fully accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

I act for individuals, families and business owners, advising them on tax-efficient Will structures, estate and succession planning, tax, trusts and estate administration. My focus is on helping clients to make informed and confident decisions about protecting their assets and providing for their loved ones.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There is no typical day! In addition to my client work, I also manage our Bournemouth team and have a big focus on business development.

After a quick check of my inbox and diary, I always start my day with a “to-do” list. I carve out time for each task, allowing for flexibility for client emergencies – these can be anything from clients needing to update their Wills before their holiday, having left it to the last minute, to the sad circumstances of someone receiving a terminal diagnosis. Private client work can be incredibly unpredictable, so it’s important to be adaptable and responsive.

My day can involve client meetings, preparing estate planning reports and drafting other documents, researching changes in the law, managing and mentoring my team, presenting at conferences and webinars and speaking at events. I also spend a lot of time working with accountants, financial planners, and other professional advisors. I am passionate about working holistically with a client’s other advisors – it is so important to make sure all planning is joined up and that everyone is working towards the same goal.

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

Every client is different and brings something unique. I love hearing their stories and their thought processes behind their decision-making.

It’s always fun when we get some unusual or quirky instructions, which usually relate to Will preparation. This can be anything from generous gifts to mistresses to lavish provision for pets. We then have to consider the most appropriate way to structure their Wills to give effect to their wishes.

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

The biggest challenge for many clients at present is uncertainty – from an evolving legal and tax landscape to more complex family dynamics and increasing financial pressures. My role is to provide our clients with clear, pragmatic, and tailored advice to help them plan with confidence. I spend time getting to know my clients and understanding their wishes, goals, and concerns to ensure the advice I am giving is appropriate, comprehensive and robust.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being promoted to Partner has been my career highlight. It’s a recognition of years of hard work, dedication and determination. I feel especially proud that it was at LA. LA is an amazing firm with such a high calibre of talent, so it is a real privilege to be in this position.

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

I strongly believe that leaders should lead by example, demonstrating strength whilst showing empathy. A great leader inspires confidence through their actions, acts with integrity and supports their team in a way that encourages trust and growth.

Who do you most admire and why?

I admire strong, female leaders – leaders who achieve success whilst lifting others along the way. Seeing that balance of ambition, hard work and support is inspirational and something I aspire to every day.

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

Apart from numerous work trips to London, the last place I travelled to was Barcelona for a hen do. It was a beautiful city. We had a great time exploring and enjoying the food and weather. My husband joked that it sounded surprisingly tame for a hen do, but I think we were all just grateful for a few child-free days in the sun!

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

I always thought I would work in fashion and had a particular interest in being a buyer – something that combines style with strategy. Whilst thinking about this question, I realise that whilst this role appears to be very different to what I do now, there are parallels. Both roles involve understanding what people want, problem-solving and finding solutions that make commercial sense. Working as a solicitor just means I don’t spend ALL my money on clothes!

How do you relax after a long day?

With three young children (and a husband), “relax” is a relative term! I love spending time with my family, kickboxing classes are great to relieve stress, but a cocktail or two on a Friday night always goes down well!

Lester Aldridge’s Citywealth Leaders List profile

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