New partner joins growing trusts and estates team at Ashfords

Mike Westbrook has joined UK law firm Ashfords, as a partner in the trusts and estates team. Mike is SRA regulated, having qualified in 2008. Not only is he a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500, but also a full member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Mike’s arrival compliments and strengthens the ever-growing Bristol office, bringing expertise of strategic inheritance tax and succession planning advice to the team. He has a wealth of experience advising landowners, of landed estates and farmers/rural business owners, around strategic land. This includes inheritance tax issues and tax-efficient structuring on solar leases and land sales, such as land pooling and cross-options.

In addition to this, Mike advises entrepreneurs, family, plus rural businesses and landed estates on wills, trusts and pre and post-business sale estate planning. This includes family investment companies and family partnerships. He also advises on business exits, including employee ownership trusts and inheritance tax planning around ownership prior to sale. 

Mike said: “I am delighted to be joining Ashfords, to assist with the growth of the excellent private wealth offering in Bristol. It is a very exciting opportunity for me to develop and grow my practice in Bristol with the support of the very strong team in Exeter, London and Plymouth.” 

Commenting on Mike’s appointment, Michael Alden, partner and head of the private wealth division, said: “We’re thrilled to have Mike join the firm. His knowledge and expertise will be an excellent addition to the trusts and estates team, as we continue to provide our clients with an outstanding service.” 

Alongside Mike's appointment, Ashfords' private wealth offering in Bristol has grown substantially over the last year with several senior appointments including Hannah Brittain (senior associate) into the disputed wills and trusts team and Katie Shire (senior associate) and Anca Seifer (associate) joining the residential and rural team. The team has a longstanding history of advising a wide range of individuals and their families helping them to manage often complex estates and businesses interests so that wealth is protected today and for future generations.