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SOUTH WEST LAWYER FLIES TO BEIJING TO ADVISE CHINESE ON MANAGING THEIR GROWING WEALTH

Clarke Willmott partner is made a “special EU Envoy” 

A South West lawyer was made a special European Union envoy to address delegates in Beijing at the EU-China Workshop on Wealth Management. 

The conference, organised by the European Union in conjunction with the Chinese government, was aimed at helping the Chinese regulate their burgeoning wealth management industry.

Robert Smeath, a partner at the South West regional office of leading law firm Clarke Willmott, was chosen by the International Section of the Law Society as the only lawyer to address the conference. 

Mr Smeath was given special EU envoy status to enable him to speak at the event, which was opened by the Vice Minister of the Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission.

In context of the global financial crisis, Mr Smeath explained the use of private and commercial trusts, and how professional trustees can assist in developing the wealth management plans of China‘s increasing number of rich individuals. 

Speaking from Beijing Mr Smeath, who is a director both of the Clarke Willmott Trust Corporation and of the firm‘s Investment Management team,  said: “The global banking crisis has increased the focus on how Chinese wealth is managed, and how that management is regulated.

“Clarke Willmott has a nationally recognised team of wealth and investment management experts, and we are widely experienced in the use of trusts.”

Other speakers included a Swiss banker, a German banking regulator, and two international bankers from Standard Chartered and ING. 

The Beijing event was also attended by the EU‘s Counsellor for Financial Services, who is attached to the EU embassy and one of only two EU financial services officials; the other is based in Washington DC. 

END               29th October 2008

For further information please contact Louie Hadley, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email louie@sturgessvandamme.co.uk