Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Kristina Volodeva, Rawlinson & Hunter
This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Kristina Volodeva, Rawlinson & Hunter.
Citywealth speaks to Kristina Volodeva, tax partner at Rawlinson & Hunter who won the “Woman of the Year – Future Leaders – Partner – SILVER” award at the Powerwomen Awards 2023.
Tell Citywealth’s readers about your role.
- I am a Tax Partner with a portfolio of active and interesting clients, ranging from HNW and UHNW individuals and their businesses to UK and non-UK wealth holding structures.
- I advise my clients on a wide range of matters but ultimately my goal is to ensure that my clients’ affairs are structured such that they pay the correct amount of tax and all their reporting obligations are attended to.
- My role also involves attending events and conferences in the UK and internationally, both as contributor/speaker and as a representative of my firm, and running events myself.
What are you working on at the moment?
There are always several clients who need urgent advice, so there are a few things on the go at any point in time and now is no exception! I am currently advising on setting up new UK and non-UK trusts and restructuring existing ones, a gift and an acquisition of UK residential properties, and how to achieve or maintain non-UK residence status. I have also just successfully completed a 3 year enquiry into the availability of the ‘motive defence’ in relation to an overseas structure. Tax advisers reading this will know what a tough assignment that can be!
What is the biggest challenge you and your firm are currently facing?
Apart from pressures arising in the current macroeconomic climate, I would say that it is recruitment and retention of staff. As a firm, we make considerable efforts to provide top level training for our people, and ensure that the remuneration, benefits and flexibility we offer are more than competitive. At the same time, other areas have become important to people in our profession, such as corporate social responsibility and the values we stand for as an employer, so we have been putting more emphasis on highlighting and consolidating our strategy and achievements in this space in recent years.
Are your clients behaving differently in the present era?
Yes and no. I would say that some of our clients with an international focus were slightly destabilised by Brexit and feel they owe less of a sense of loyalty to the UK than previously. They are therefore more willing to consider options such as leaving the UK, whilst those who were planning to move to the country ‘full time’ manage their time to remain non-resident. Uncertainties over future tax law are a significant contributing factor here. Otherwise, in general, clients continue to look for sound, proactive advice and a strong and ‘value for money’ service, which is what they should expect from us, so there is no behavioural change in that respect.
What are the most important skills and personal qualities to succeed in your role?
I feel a combination of integrity, being able to listen, tax technical knowledge and empathy is critical for being a trusted advisor. Treating people fairly and with respect. Working alongside professional advisers in other disciplines in a collaborative and collegiate way.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
There is no such thing as bad experience.
Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Adam West, Knights
Citywealth speaks to Adam West, private wealth partner at Knights, who leads Knights’ national private client tax advisory team.
Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Barbara Corbett, Corbett Le Quesne
Citywealth speaks to Barbara Corbett, senior partner of the firm Corbett Le Quesne, which she manages together with Nicholas Le Quesne.