Forsters expands leading client practices with two new partner appointments
Forsters strengthens its Private Client and Real Estate teams with two partner promotions.
Tax, trust and estate planning expert, Xavier Nicholas has been promoted from solicitor to partner in the Private Client department after four years at Forsters, whilst Ronan Ledwidge, one of Forsters’ key advisors to landlords and tenants, takes on the role of partner in the Real Estate group.
Recognised in the Citywealth Leaders List 2013, Xavier specialises in pre-arrival and remittance basis tax planning and the establishment and taxation of offshore investment structures. He has recently played an important part in advising clients on restructuring the ownership of residential property in response to tax changes.
Ronan acts for institutional investors and property funds on acquisition, disposals, funding agreements and management work. He is also one of Forsters’ key advisors to landlords and tenants. Ronan works with a number of high profile clients, including Funds managed by SWIP, CBREi Global and LXB.
Paul Roberts, Managing Partner at Forsters, said: "The promotion of both Xavier and Ronan reflects three years of strong financial growth across the firm and particularly in the Real Estate and Private Client groups.
"Xavier has been a proactive member of the team in expanding the international offering, which has contributed to the practice’s 164% increase in revenue in the last five years.
"Our Real Estate team has been appointed by a number of new high profile clients in the last 12 months including Quintain and Knight Dragon’s Greenwich Peninsula development and we have successfully expanded our work for The Crown Estate. Fee income has also increased, taking it above pre-2008 levels. Ronan’s expertise in investment markets will continue to be a cornerstone of this success and the team’s future growth."
Xavier Nicholas added: "I am very pleased to have become a partner in such a well-regarded team and I look forward to contributing to the further development of the practice."
Ronan Ledwidge commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed as partner in such a skilled and highly regarded team. Real Estate is at the heart of Forsters’ offering and has achieved substantial growth over the last 10 years. I look forward to working with my fellow partners to further build on the practice’s reputation and expand our client base."