The deal, which also sees Hawksford take ownership of L-S&S GmbH’s New Zealand trust company, was completed at the end of last week and follows the company’s expansion into the Middle East in May when it opened an office in Dubai.
Under the terms of the deal, L-S&S GmbH will fall under the Hawksford banner but will retain its own branding in Switzerland where it is well established.
“Our recent acquisition in Switzerland will ensure that Hawksford’s clients, and those of L-S&S GmbH, will have access to an even wider resource pool of experts across multiple jurisdictions – an opportunity we view as a great positive,” said Hawksford chief executive Peter Murley.
Hawksford was established in 2008 following a management buyout of Rathbone Trust Company Jersey Limited, backed by UK private equity company, Dunedin. Since then, the company has been focused on growth, both organically and through global expansion.
L-S&S GmbH is a boutique private wealth law firm which was founded in Zurich by English lawyers Geoffrey Shindler, Roger Lane-Smith and Tim Urquhart. The firm provides specialist advice on all aspects of wealth planning and structuring, particularly using international and offshore trusts, private trust companies and other asset-holding structures.
