Yorkshire lawyer elected as Step's deputy worldwide chair

Private client lawyer Amanda Simmonds has been elected Deputy Worldwide Chair of STEP with effect from 1 January 2021.

STEP is the worldwide body for professionals helping families plan for their futures. STEP members are internationally recognised as experts in their field and include lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and other professionals.

Amanda is a senior associate lawyer at Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett where she heads the Business Families team. She provides legal advice on all aspects of private client work including wills, trusts and estates; Lasting Powers of Attorney; Court of Protection; and personal tax planning advice particularly to those who hold interests in family run businesses.

Amanda has also been appointed as Deputy Chair of the Professional Standards Committee and is one of three directors leading Diversity and Inclusion strategy for STEP. In January 2020, she was elected as one of only eight STEP board directors. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction of STEP and the organisation’s highest level of governance. As Deputy Worldwide Chair, Amanda is Deputy Chair of the Board.

Amanda said: “I’ve been a member of STEP for many years and this appointment is an independent endorsement of my work. I am delighted to have attracted support for this prestigious new role from colleagues, all over the World, as well as the UK. STEP is recognised as setting the gold standard for those advising families across generations and I look forward to helping to shape the future strategy of this highly respected, global and multi-disciplinary professional body.”

Hugh Thompson, head of private client at Lupton Fawcett, said: “We are delighted for Amanda and congratulate her on this achievement which recognises her expertise in the private client sector. We value continuing professional development for all our team, many of whom are members of STEP and therefore committed to providing the highest professional standards when advising clients.”