Raworths Announces New Leadership For Award-Winning TWE Team
Harrogate-based Raworths has announced a change of leadership at the helm of its award-winning Trusts, Wills and Estates (TWE) team. Partners Alison Walker and Sam Jenner are stepping up to take over as joint heads of the 23 strong team, which recently won ‘Out of London Practice of the Year’ at the national Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Awards 2024.
Alison’s and Sam’s promotions will enable the former Head of TWE, Rachel Tunnicliffe – who has led the team for a decade – to focus on expanding her other leadership roles as Senior Partner at Raworths and Head of Private Client Services. She will continue to manage her existing portfolio of client work offering specialist legal advice on wills, trusts and succession planning.
Under Rachel’s guidance, Raworths’ TWE service has grown to become one of the largest specialist private client teams in Yorkshire – acting for clients both regionally and nationally. The team is ranked in Band 1 in both Chambers High Net Worth Guide and the Legal 500, the leading independent guides to the legal profession. With a remit to continue to expand Raworths’ portfolio across the UK and nurture the next generation of talent, Sam and Alison bring a wealth of expertise that will enable the TWE team to further build on its reputation for delivering an exceptional level of client service for individuals, business owners and families.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, Senior Partner at Raworths, said: “I’m so proud of this incredible team. On the back of achieving national recognition at the recent Chambers HNW awards – which are solely based on feedback from our clients and contacts – now is the perfect time to hand over the reins. Alison and Sam each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge which together make for an inspirational leadership team. I’m looking forward to embarking on a new chapter at Raworths, supporting our Managing Partner, Simon Morris, in my role as Senior Partner and Head of Private Client Services – and continuing to work with my clients, many of whom I’ve advised for more than 2 decades and who I hope to continue working with for a long time to come.”
Alison Walker, who joined Raworths in 2015, advises on all aspects of wills, trusts and wider succession, wealth structuring and tax issues, particularly for business owners. Alison has specialist knowledge in the administration of complex estates, with business interests and overseas property. Sam Jenner, who has been with the firm since 2014, offers a breadth of technical expertise on complex succession planning, administration of estates, family investment companies, wills and tax. Sam is also involved in leadership on the firm’s IT projects. Both Sam and Alison play an instrumental role in mentoring younger members of the team.
Alison commented: “I’d like to thank Raworths for this opportunity. Rachel has been an inspirational leader over the last ten years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Sam to oversee the future direction of the team, whilst providing the very best service to our clients.”
Sam added: “I have really enjoyed mentoring junior team members and as joint head of TWE, I hope to play an even bigger role in the development of the next generation of talented lawyers. Raworths has a special culture that places value on building relationships, as a team within the firm and with our clients and referrers. Alison and I both have families – and I’m glad that Raworths supports joint leadership roles that enable us to have work/life balance, which can only be a positive for both our professional and personal lives.”
Raworths provides integrated commercial and private client services and employs more than 70 people at its Harrogate office.
With a headcount now exceeding 70, Raworths provides integrated commercial and private client services under one roof to businesses, families and individuals. Nearly half of Raworths’ solicitors are named in Chambers High Net Worth 2024 and Chambers UK 2024 including Band 1 rankings for its Trusts, Wills & Estates, Employment and Family teams.
The firm constantly looks to improve the way it delivers services to clients, while retaining the best of traditional values. The single centre firm attracts clients from across the region and the country yet retains a depth of commitment to its local community, having been based in Harrogate for over 125 years.
