Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with James Quarmby, Stephenson Harwood
This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to James Quarmby, Partner & Head of Private Wealth at Stephenson Harwood.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I’m the founding partner of Stephenson Harwood’s Private Wealth team, which now has a presence in six countries, with 55 lawyers, plus support staff. My own practice consists of international tax, trusts advice and pensions advice, with a side line of being a commentator on tax policy. You might have seen me on LinkedIn.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day starts at 7am with a 3km swim, followed by breakfast and then I get stuck into the business of being a tax lawyer. I won’t bore you with the details – it’s the usual stuff.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions you have received.
As you can imagine, I am getting a lot of instructions from non doms who are looking to plan for the changes expected under the new government. I’m presently looking at how we can use bespoke regulated collective investment schemes to provide a blocker for income tax and CGT.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
The main challenge for them is the expected abolition of the non dom status – clients will either need to restructure or leave or swallow the additional tax.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
I grew up listening to Radio 4’s Today programme so I’ve always wanted to appear on it (yes, I’m an attention seeker). I got my chance in 2017 in a rather spectacular way, being grilled live on the show by John Humphreys about David Cameron’s ‘offshore trust’. I like to think I put Mr Humphreys in his place in what you might call a ‘challenging’ interview. I was just very happy to have survived the experience with my reputation intact.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
I’m still working that one out…
Who do you most admire and why?
Alan Turing. I hope I don’t need to explain why.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
I’ve just come back from a walking holiday in Western Macedonia, Greece.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
Unemployed? No, I’d probably be a writer, or academic, or both.
How do you relax after a long day?
Netflix. Wine. Sorted.
You can view James’s profile on the Leaders List here.
Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Clive Dixon, Moore Dixon
This week's 60-second piece is dedicated to Clive Dixon, Partner at Moore Dixon, Isle of Man.
Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Holly Hill, John Lamb Hill Oldridge
This week's 60-second piece is dedicated to Holly Hill, Associate Director at John Lamb Hill Oldridge.