At the awards ceremony, which was held in London last week, Crestbridge Family Office Services’ CEO Heather Tibbo was named ‘Best CEO’ in recognition of her outstanding leadership in what has been a pivotal year for the firm.

With over 25 years of experience in supporting the needs of UHNW individuals and families, Heather was instrumental in establishing Crestbridge Family Office Services ten years ago and took on the role of CEO of the business last year as it continued to operate as a privately owned, independent firm following the sale of the Crestbridge institutional business.

As well as continuing to provide a comprehensive range of cross-border services to families and private clients, Heather is also responsible for driving forward it’s growth strategy and leading the evolution of the business, including moving to new headquarters in Jersey at the end of last year.

In addition, Crestbridge Family Office Services was also recognised at the Awards for its recent tenth anniversary celebrations, winning the ‘Best Marketing or PR Campaign’ category led by Lesley Piner, Head of BD and Marketing.  Entitled REFLECT10NS, the campaign showcased the success and growth the firm has seen since being established in 2013, while also focussing on its future aspirations and its commitment to offering first-class client service.

Winners of the Awards, now in their eleventh year, are selected by a panel of expert industry judges, and are designed to celebrate excellence in private wealth management products and services and professional excellence across Europe.

Commenting on the double award win, Heather said:

“It is a great source of pride to be recognised by Wealthbriefing through these two awards, which affirm the reputation Crestbridge Family Office Services has built up over the past decade for service excellence, expertise and attentive client relationships. They also reflect our forward-thinking team approach. While we have achieved great things over the past ten years, our absolute focus now is on the future and the next exciting stage of our journey together, as a privately-owned, independent business.”

Bethany Scott has passed the Chartered Governance Institute’s (CGI) International Qualifying Programme ‘Risk Management’ paper, while Marta Latek and Georgiana Lombada have both passed the Level 4 exam module of the CGI International Finance Administration professional qualification.

In addition, Joel Lucas-Villar has also completed the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management, becoming a full STEP member as a result.

Bethany, Assistant Manager, has significant experience in both corporate and trust administration, while Marta and Georgiana, both Administrators, support the wider FOS team with a broad range of administrative services. Joel, Senior Administrator, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of a variety of client groups with a particular focus on investments.

Commenting on the team’s success, Paul Hunter, Managing Director, Crestbridge FOS, said:

“Crestbridge Family Office Services has long held a firm commitment to supporting our people with their professional development aspirations, to ensure we are able, as a team, to provide clients with first-class expertise, technical knowledge and cutting-edge insights. I’m delighted for Joel, Bethany, Marta and Georgina. Their latest success in key qualifications through the CGI and STEP is the result of hard work and determination, and reflects perfectly our shared approach to skills development.”

CEO Heather Tibbo as well as Directors Daniel Channing and Laura Parkes have all been included in the latest Private Client Global Elite directory, published this week by international legal publishing group Law.com.

Launched in 2017, the directory is collated through peer recommendation and serves as a highly respected point of reference for the world’s top private client and trust​ and estates litigation talent, as well as rising stars within the industry.

Commenting on the recognition, Heather said:

“This year marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Crestbridge Family Office Services as an independent and privately owned business. What is not changing however, is the shared dedication and commitment we have as a team to providing clients with first-class service, and that is reflected in our strong representation in this year’s directory of elite private client practitioners.”

Discover Laura’s motivation, the preparation involved and learn how you can get involved and support her fundraising efforts.

Tell us about the challenge you’re undertaking for Autism Jersey?

Having completed an Autism Jersey trek in 2017, to the summit of Mount Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains, it is time for a new challenge. I will be joining a group of fellow #awesomeforautism trekkers over tough terrain, within an unforgiving climate, for five full days to and from the remote Lost City in Colombia to raise money for this fantastic charity.

To reach the 1200 ancient stone steps that lead up to the City, we will trek on steep, sometimes overgrown, and muddy trails, through lush jungle and river valleys, crossing clear streams. En route we pass indigenous Kogui communities and descendants of those early builders.

Why is the charity so special to you?

Autism Jersey holds a place in my heart, and I am a passionate supporter of their work. Their community spirit and drive to help support people on the autism spectrum and their families on a day-to-day basis is something truly special. Established in 2005 by a group of dedicated and committed parents, Autism Jersey is now the leading charity in Jersey having secure and well-developed expertise in the provision of autism-related services. They enable people on the autism spectrum to achieve their potential by advocating an inclusive community and providing personalised services to individuals, families, and carers.

How do you prepare for such a demanding trek?

Suffering arthritis in both knees, I don’t find these adventures or training for them easy they test me both physically and mentally. With the support of my friends and family, who join me on training treks and motivate me to keep going, I’m growing stronger each day. Since September I’ve clocked up 446km, 683k steps and 27 gym strength sessions. With only two months left I’ve increased the weekly training to include two back-to-back weekend walks consisting of at least 2-5 hours each day, a 800-1,000 step up session every Friday morning and an all-important stretch day to keep mobility.

How can others support you with this endeavour?

People’s support means everything to me, and to the incredible volunteers at Autism Jersey who are making a difference every single day. Whether it’s sharing my journey, contributing to fundraising efforts or simply spreading awareness about Autism Jersey, it all counts, and is enormously appreciated.

I would also like to thank Crestbridge Family Office Services for their donation and support.

You can donate at Fundraising for Autism Jersey. I’m funding my own trek myself, so every penny goes straight to the charity.

We wish Laura all the very best with this challenge and we will be following her journey along the way.

This marks Heather’s sixth consecutive year of inclusion in the prestigious list, which is compiled by the specialist private wealth publisher. Selection is determined by a number of criteria, from achievement and contribution, to those helping to shape the industry’s future.

In 2023 Heather took on the role of CEO at Crestbridge Family Office Services to continue to shape the firm’s next chapter as a privately-owned, independent business.

Heather commented: “ I would like to thank eprivateclient for my inclusion in this list which is, above all else, a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our team.

As we begin 2024 from our new offices in the heart of St Helier, we look forward to working alongside our clients and partners, exploring new and exciting opportunities together.”

In the Client Accounting team, Elliott Carlow is promoted to Senior Manager, and within the Administration function Gavin Byrne has been promoted to Manager and Charlie Lucas and Marta Latek have also been recognised.

Effective from 1 January 2024, these promotions recognise the achievements and contribution of these team members to the business. We wish them the best of success in their new roles.

Heather Tibbo, Chief Executive, Crestbridge Family Office Services, congratulated those being promoted:

“Investing in and supporting the development of our people is central to our future success and growth, particularly as we continue our journey as an independent and privately owned business. I’m delighted to be able to recognise the effort and accomplishment of these four valued members of our team. I am immensely proud of the talent, enthusiasm, and ambition we have within the business, exemplified by Elliott, Gavin, Charlie, and Marta.”

The industry-benchmark qualification, which Danielle passed with Distinction, takes a high-level strategic look at the effective implementation of ESG solutions into an organisation’s framework, including how ESG data can be brought into business modelling and delivery through reporting.

Designed to support leaders in the ESG space, the qualification explores the evolving ESG landscape, how organisations can prioritise ESG, how to implement effective ESG strategies and how to lead a successful and sustainable ESG transformation.

This qualification adds to Danielle’s impressive resume which already includes a number of industry-leading qualifications in this area, including the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment’s (CISI) Sustainable and Responsible Investment Certificate.

With over ten years’ experience in financial services across multiple jurisdictions, Danielle manages a large team administering the portfolios of high-profile international families. Named as a ‘future leader’ in the eprivateclient 2023 Channel Islands NextGen List, she is also involved in the learning and development of junior staff at Crestbridge Family Office Services.

The team succeeded in raising over £5,000 in total for Jersey Cancer Relief. The climbs included Scafell Pike in England, Scotland’s Ben Nevis, and Snowdon in Wales, covering a total walking distance of 26 miles and over 3,000 metres of ascent. And all within the space of 24 hours on 4^th and 5^th August.

The challenge was particularly personal for Andrea Sturges, Manager at Crestbridge Family Office Services, who was herself diagnosed with breast cancer, and received significant practical, logistical, and financial support from Jersey Cancer Relief.

The other team members taking on the challenge with Andrea were Chloë Blampied, Melloney Bond, Chris Cameron, Daniel Cavey, Hannah Le Claire, and Jack Rondel.

Founded in 1968, Jersey Cancer Relief was incorporated as a Jersey charity in 1973 to support cancer patients and their families who were finding it difficult to cope financially because of their illness. The charity offers broad financial assistance where there is a need to Jersey residents affected by cancer in its many forms, from doctor’s fees, supplements, and dressings, to travel to the UK, nursing care, medical equipment, and even loan mobile phones for patients needing to travel to the UK.

Commenting on the fundraising initiative, Andrea said:

“I was 29 when I received my diagnosis and the support and compassion I received from Jersey Cancer Relief was massive – in particular because my son was so young. The practical and logistical help the team gave me during a really difficult time when I had to spend significant periods in the UK for treatment was invaluable. This is my way of trying to give back to a local charity that does a tremendous job – and to complete this challenge with the support of my colleagues makes it even more special.”

Anne Pryke, Chair, Jersey Cancer Relief added:

“There is always so much to think about when someone is diagnosed and receiving treatment for cancer and often it’s the practical and financial implications of the illness that can weigh most heavily on people – particularly where there are young families and frequent trips to the UK involved.

“Jersey Cancer Relief exists to provide support in those areas, so that people can focus on themselves and their families when they need to most, and not the financial burden. We’re really grateful to the team at Crestbridge for their efforts to help raise such a good sum to support our work in the local community.”

Further information about Jersey Cancer Relief can be found here.