Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Peter Moorhouse, Ace International

Date: 05 Feb 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Peter Moorhouse, Managing Director at Ace International.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role

As the Managing Director of ACE, I am responsible for the smooth running of our office, making sure the team are happy, motivated and have a clear path to providing the highest quality of client servicing.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I am waiting for a “typical day” to arrive… Each day seems to bring new adventures.  That said, I usually start the day by reviewing emails received overnight and prioritising the top five tasks I want to achieve in the day, and make sure those tasks are underway.  I make a tour of the office and speak to each person about their priorities and matters of the day. Then, onto client specific matters.

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

We recently had significant involvement in the sale of businesses held by a Trust structure under our administration, which resulted in a sale in excess of USD 150m.

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

Our clients are from many different jurisdictions, although those with the most challenges at the moment are in the UK, with a number having relocated, or are considering moving.  This has created significant changes in their structuring and involved a lot of pre-emigration planning.  The biggest challenges for them has been in adapting to their new homes and the lifestyle changes that come with changing the balance of where they spend their time.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Once you reach a certain age, there are more than one that come to mind. The shortlist:

Being trusted to take on the role of MD and being the right hand to the owner of ACE,

Assisting ACE in Winning the 2025 Trust Company and Independent Trust Company of the Year CityWealth IFC Awards,

Having had the opportunity to work with and alongside a number of billionaire families (including taking a role in one of their single-family offices),

Working to become the head of Deutsche Bank’s Swiss Trust and Family Office offering (and part of the global executive committee),

Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW).

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

Knowing that my priority is making sure my team can meet their professional goals, only then can I meet mine!

Being open, honest and available to my team and allowing a free exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Who do you most admire and why?

My parents have certainly set the admiration bar high; having set up a business that still continues today, stepping away from the business at the age of 55 and now reaching an incredible 50^th wedding anniversary!

From a sporting standpoint, the likes of Steve Borthwick stand out. Having played with the England Rugby Manager at U18’s, to see his determination and dedication to play for England for over a decade and then to land the top role is very inspiring.

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

In the last six months:  London, Paris and Milan for business; Sweden, the Isle of Man and South of France for pleasure.

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

I love the mountains and wildlife.  If I was not sat at a desk, I would probably have become a ski/mountain guide or a vet.

How do you relax after a long day?

I try to commute by bike, which re-energises me so I can spend some quality time with my 2 young daughters, and my wife, when I get home!