Member Profile
Neal Lees
Director - Private Client | Buzzacott
Office Location: England and Wales
Jurisdiction
England and Wales, Guernsey, Jersey
Top Specialisms
Accountancy
Trusts: Planning
Tax Advisory
Connect
Professional Biography
Neal joined Buzzacott in 2023 and is a Director in Buzzacott's Private Client team. He provides personal tax advice to high-net-worth individuals and their family trusts, companies and charitable foundations. Key areas of expertise include: 1) Advising UK resident and non-UK domiciled individuals and their offshore structures. 2) Succession and governance strategies, including the set up and on-going advice in respect of appropriate family entities (e.g. 3) trusts and companies). 3) Property and investment structuring from a UK tax perspective, including the availability of associated tax reliefs (e.g. Principal Private Residence relief and Business Asset Disposal relief). With the introduction in recent years of further reporting (e.g. UK land returns and the Trust Register), private clients are increasingly encumbered with compliance and Neal helps them navigate the various returns in a timely and efficient manner. Clients like to work with Neal because he makes himself available, is responsive, and tailors his advice to deliver it in a clear and digestible way. He also takes a step back in order to provide a pragmatic view. Neal enjoys building and maintaining personal relationships, which is a key part of working with private clients and their other key advisers. Before joining Buzzacott, Neal worked in the London Private Client team at BDO for nearly 10 years. He is a Chartered Tax Adviser and has a Step Advanced Certificate in UK tax for International Clients.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: With an increasingly complicated tax landscape, private clients face the challenge of efficiently managing their own affairs as well as their businesses, trusts or charities. Additionally, media and public interest in the “fairness” of the taxation system
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: The recent Autumn Budget in the UK has created a wealth of opportunity (as well as some challenges) for clients.The shift in the non-dom regime, along with the ways in which offshore trusts are managed, is proving significant for our clients. I am excited
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Manicomo