Member Profile


Back to Directory

Helen Ratcliffe

Consultant | BDB Pitmans

Office Location: United Kingdom

Jurisdiction

England and Wales

Top Specialisms

Trusts: Planning

Tax Advisory

Family Governance and Business

Professional Biography

I have been at BDB Pitmans since 2000, working prior to that at Freshfields, Linklaters (in Brussels), Payne Hicks Beach and Radcliffes. In latter years I have combined my practice with management roles (head of the private client department, management board, senior partner). I advise many families and individuals both in the UK and internationally, and in many cases I am now advising the third generation! I deal with cross-border estates and cross-border planning, trust restructuring, UK private tax and compliance. My work is primarily non-contentious but I have provided tax and trust analysis for more contentious cases. I work with clients from the Middle East, the Far East, the US and Canada, the offshore financial centres and Europe. My husband is a lawyer but none of our three children have gone into law.

What is your favorite restaurant to take a client or colleague to?

Cafe du Marche

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Always ask for the accounts

What was your first job?

Admin assistant Joint Matriculation Board

What is the book you recommend to everyone?

East West Street by Philippe Sands

What changes do you expect to see in your practice over the next year?

Non-dom regime changes