Four partners recognised as leading tax and trust advisers by Spear’s

Four of our partners have been recommended by Spear’s as leading tax and trust advisers to HNW individuals in the Tax & Trust Indices 2025, published today.

Chris Moorcroft has once again been recognised as Top Flight for wealth planning and preservation, whilst Gary Ashford is Top Recommended for contentious tax matters and investigations. In addition, Charles Lloyd and Sofie Hoffman both feature in the contentious trust lawyers index, with Charles Top Recommended for advising family businesses held in complex structures and Sofie Hoffman Top Recommended for advising international clients on tax disputes.

The indices highlight the leading legal and accounting experts who provide essential guidance to HNW individuals navigating complex financial and tax matters and complex trust and estate disputes. The indices are compiled through nominations, client feedback and interviews with the advisers themselves, as well as data gathered by the editorial and research teams.

You can view the full index here.

Finalists in four categories at the Spear’s Awards 2025

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.

Harbottle & Lewis advises on the sale of performance-io to private equity firm Apiary Capital

We have advised the sellers of performance-io, a leading life sciences performance marketing, SEO and GEO agency, on its sale to private equity firm, Apiary Capital.

Founded to deliver cutting-edge performance marketing solutions, performance-io has established itself as a key player in the industry, working with clients to enhance their marketing strategies through data-driven insights and expertise. Headquartered in London, the business now operates globally with teams in the UK, US, India, Japan and South Africa. 

Founder and CEO Matt Lowe and his senior management team will remain with the business, focusing on driving performance-io’s further growth and development.

Our team was led by partner Ed Lane, with support from senior associate Alex Gays, and associates Elizabeth Compton and David Jones. Co-managing partner Tony Littner provided strategic support throughout, with partner David Scott advising on corporate tax matters. Partner Yvonne Gallagher and associate Harry Wade also advised on employment matters.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Matt Lowe commented: “I’d not worked with lawyers on a PE backed deal before, and frankly the mood music about the experience wasn’t great. However, the experience with Harbottle and Lewis was. From the first meeting with Tony and Ed, through to working with the broader team through some complex curve balls, we had a superb experience; working in a collaborative manner, learning loads and always with a calming, assured temperament. I can’t recommend H&L enough.”

Ed Lane added: “We are delighted to have supported Matt and his team on this milestone, and we look forward to seeing performance-io’s continued success in its partnership with Apiary Capital.”

Harbottle & Lewis promotes Harry Bresslaw, Ed Lane and Alasdair Wilson to the partnership

Harbottle & Lewis has announced three partner promotions today in line with its commitment to continued growth in the media and creative industries and private wealth sector, and to the expansion of its corporate practice. Harry Bresslaw, Ed Lane and Alasdair Wilson will each join the partnership with effect from 1 April 2025.

Harry is an entertainment lawyer with a focus on the theatre, film and TV industries. He advises producers, creatives, investors and venues across the theatre industry on matters including commissioning, development, production, financing, national and international transfers, licensing, digital captures and other associated sector arrangements. He works with clients both in the UK and beyond, ranging from established West End and Broadway producers to new and emerging producers, on all aspects relating to the creation and exploitation of plays, musicals and other live stage projects. He also provides legal and strategic advice to major film and TV production companies and SVOD platforms, and acts for a number of high-profile individual rights-holders on the protection and exploitation of their IP rights and assets.

Ed advises founders, businesses and investors on a broad range of corporate, corporate finance and commercial matters. He has a particular expertise in the creative industries, including film and TV, video games and music, and in the broader media, entertainment and technology sectors. His practice spans mergers and acquisitions, fundraises from pre-seed to series A and beyond, startups, growth equity investments, music catalogue sales, public takeovers, joint ventures, management incentive arrangements, including EMI options, and SEIS/EIS investments. He is actively involved as a speaker and mentor for a number of different industry accelerators and trade bodies, including IndieLab, BAFTA and UKIE.

Alasdair advises individuals, families and fiduciaries based in the UK and overseas in relation to all matters of international taxation, wealth structuring, global compliance and cross-border estate planning. This includes tax and legal advice to wealth generators or custodians who are moving between countries, seeking to maintain tax efficiency across multiple jurisdictions or passing ownership or control to the next generation. Alasdair has significant experience in advising US-UK clients, individual entrepreneurs and family businesses. He also has a particular interest in clients connected to civil law jurisdictions, in particular France, Belgium and Switzerland, as well as to Latin America and the Middle East.

Senior partner Catherine Bedford commented:

“We are thrilled to be welcoming three outstanding lawyers to the partnership. Harry, Ed and Alasdair have continually demonstrated exceptional legal skills, dedication to client care and a drive to bring success to our business. Their promotions will strengthen our offering to individuals, families and companies and will enhance our expertise in key areas including the entertainment and media and private wealth sectors. We look forward to seeing them build on their accomplishments and continue their development as partners.”

For more information, please contact Alex Molyneux, Communications & Marketing Manager: ([email protected])