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May Delaney and Richard Hoggart named in 2026 eprivateclient NextGen Leaders list

Posted on by Julia Krol

May Delaney and Richard Hoggart have both been ranked in the 2026 eprivateclient NextGen Leaders list.

This list recognises leading young private client practitioners across the UK and UK Crown Dependencies, highlighting outstanding professionals who are shaping the next generation of the private client advisory profession.

Those included were selected from hundreds of nominations, with judging based on individual qualities, achievements and contributions to the profession, as well as trajectory of promotion and any mentoring or advocacy within the industry.

May is a managing associate who advises UK and international individuals and families on succession planning, capital taxes, wills and trusts, with a growing focus on philanthropy and charitable giving.

Richard is a managing associate who specialises in contentious trusts, advising trustees, beneficiaries and personal representatives across trust, probate and charity disputes, with particular experience in trustee removal, breach of trust claims and contentious probate matters.

The full 2026 eprivateclient NextGen Leaders list can be found here.

UK direct marketing laws made easier for charities

Posted on by Julia Krol

The UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will be changing the direct marketing laws to make it easier for charities to send electronic marketing to existing supporters and supporters who have expressed an interest in the charity without their express consent.

This is referred to as the “soft opt-in” rule which is currently relied on by many commercial businesses and will be amended to broaden the scope to charities.

How can charities rely on soft opt-in?

Charities can send electronic marketing such as, emails or text messages or direct messages on social media, without the consent of a person, providing:

  • The sole purpose of electronic marketing is to further the charity’s own charitable purpose(s)
  • The charity collected the contact details directly from the person themselves
  • The charity collected the contact details when a person:
    • expressed an interest in one or more of the charitable purposes; or
    • offered or provided support to further one or more of those purposes
  • People are given a simple and free of charge way of opting out of direct marketing at the time of:
    • collecting their contact details; and
    • every subsequent direct marketing message thereafter

How can charities start to rely on soft opt-in?

The UK’s data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner, has stated that this change allowing charities to rely on the “soft opt-in” rule is planned to commence from January 2026.

What is the latest from the UK regulators on soft opt-in?

The Information Commissioner has produced draft guidance and launched a consultation on the new rules aiming to gather feedback from charities. The consultation runs from 16 October to 27 November 2025 and details can be found here.

What can charities do now to prepare?

  • Review your privacy policy to inform people of the reliance on “soft opt-in”
  • Review your consent mechanisms and plan the changes needed to rely on “soft opt-in”
  • Review your current opt-out mechanism and plan the changes needed to rely on “soft opt-in”
  • Ensure you have a do not contact list of people who have opted out of receiving direct marketing
  • Review existing marketing lists to separate people who have given their consent to electronic marketing and people who will be sent it using the “soft opt-in” rule
  • Train staff on how to respond to queries and complaints from people about the direct marketing
  • Implement policies and procedures to ensure staff know how to implement “soft opt-in” and the rules around data protection

Finalists in four categories at the Spear’s Awards 2025

Posted on by admin

Four of our people have been named as finalists in various categories at the Spear’s Awards 2025, which recognise the outstanding contributions of wealth managers, lawyers and advisors to HNW and UHNW individuals and families.

Our finalists are:

  • Spear’s Woman of the Year – Catherine Bedford
  • Private Client Accountant of the Year – Gary Ashford
  • Lawyer of the Year: Tax and Trusts – Chris Moorcroft
  • Future Leader in Private Client Services – May Delaney

Now in their 18th year, the Spear’s Awards highlight leading work across the private wealth sector. Having individuals named as finalists across four categories reflects the broad range of expertise at the firm as we support our clients with their eclectic and ever-evolving business and personal needs.

The awards ceremony will take place on 20 November 2025 at Raffles London at The OWO.

Find out more about the Spear’s Awards 2025 here.