Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Alessandro Belluzzo, Belluzzo International Partners

Date: 15 Jan 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Alessandro Belluzzo, founder partner at Belluzzo International Partners.

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Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am the Founding Partner of Belluzzo International Partners and the Founder of Trust&Wealth. My primary focus is on wealth planning for individuals and family businesses, particularly those with international interests.

I am also the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, where I work to foster collaboration between Italian and British businesses.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day begins with catching up on the latest developments in tax, wealth planning, and international business and briefing my team on the day’s tasks.

I spend a significant part of my day advising clients on complex cross-border estate and wealth management issues. The fact that we can advise our clients from compliance to the set up SPV and Trusts (using our Trust&Wealth services and solutions) allows us to deliver clear and concrete solutions to their issues.

I also engage in speaking engagements, mentoring university graduates, and contributing to articles or professional committees such as the Society of Trust Estate Practitioners.

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

Recently, following the UK budget, I assisted clients in understanding its implications on international wealth structures, family businesses, and cross-border taxation.

One request involved structuring a multi-jurisdictional estate to align with family governance while ensuring compliance with UK and EU tax regulations and the IHT rules that differ between common and civil law countries.

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

Many clients are navigating the complexities of cross-border taxation and family business governance. I try to present them with options and a trade-off approach to allow them to make holistic choices that allow them to maintain their lifestyle, even when relocating  to a different country.  

My role is to simplify these challenges by preparing tailored wealth planning solutions, supported by my expertise as a STEP Trust Estate Practitioner and Barrister.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Expanding Belluzzo International Partners into new markets and embracing evolving business realities is both an exciting challenge and a personal mission. It allows me to honour my late father’s vision when he founded the firm—a vision to create a ‘forward-thinking’ business. We are a family firm for family business, and we work as multifamily office to ensure our clients wishes are preserved through transitions.

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

Vision, adaptability, and empathy. Leaders must inspire others while understanding the dynamics of the people and the businesses they serve.

Who do you most admire and why?

My father. He was not only an exceptionally skilled professional, but also a man of great integrity and humility.  The values he instilled in me have had a profound impact on shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally.

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

UAE, where we have recently established our new offices—a fascinating new reality that reflects the region’s growing significance as a global hub for business and wealth management. My qualification as Barrister allows also to operate within the ADGM and DIFC common law framework providing solutions to locals and expatriates who have moved into the region.

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

I would be involved with tennis for sure! Either as a player, coach or mentor. I strive to apply my “industry principles” when I advise sports people to help them plan effectively for everything that is important outside the tennis court! This allows me to contribute to tennis as if I were a coach, albeit in a broader sense.

How do you relax after a long day?

Tennis is my go-to way to unwind. It’s not only a passion but also a way to stay focused and energised. I also enjoy the company of friends over a good meal and a glass of fine wine. My wife and our 2 children also keep me very entertained after a long day!

Read the article: Belluzzo International Partners opens new office in UAE