Conference programme - Thursday 3 November: Protecting and enhancing wealth in the private client world

CLICK HERE to listen to conference chairman, Terry Christensen, introducing Private Client Forum 2011.

13.50 Chairman's welcome and opening remarks
Henry Christensen III, McDermott Will & Emery, USA

14.00 Keynote address: The global economy
Our opening keynote will review the extraordinary economic climate of the past year and what it means in real terms for our clients. Appearing regularly on Sky News, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Channel 4 and CNN, Henk Potts will evaluate what effects these events are having on macroeconomic forecasts.
Henk Potts, equity strategist, Barclays Wealth, UK

14.30 Keynote address: The role of the government in assisting the private sector
Colombian Ambassador to Italy, Juan Manuel Prieto, will draw on a lifetime of experience as a leading private client lawyer in Colombia to share his thoughts on how governments across the globe are balancing the long-term need to encourage and foster the growth of private wealth with short-term economic and political pressures. This also includes ways in which governments are creating new tax laws to encourage long term planning and investment.
Juan Manuel Prieto, Colombian Ambassador to Italy

15.00 Managing family office relationships
How do family offices successfully manage their relationships? Hear how family offices are managing relationships and expectations with lawyers, accountants, investment advisors and others in multiple countries. The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion of multinational advisors.
Keynote:
Robert K Hamshaw, executive vice president, Quadrant Capital Advisors Inc, USA
Panel:
James T MacGregor, vice-chairman, The Abernathy MacGregor Group, USA
Mark Lea, partner, Lea & White, Hong Kong
Clare Maurice, senior partner, Maurice Turnor Gardner, UK
Samantha Morgan, consultant member, Withers, UK
 
16.15 Coffee break

16.45 Interactive focus groups: global technical updates

A. USA
With the voluntary disclosure and withholding regime under way, this session will look at the ongoing impact of the FATCA regulations. Is there really a deep tension between transparency and disclosure as well as a risk of these obligations becoming too onerous? This session will also look at recent Swiss efforts to combat US offshore legislation.
Ellen K Harrison, partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, USA
Anne O'Brien, partner, Arnold & Porter, USA

B. Switzerland
This session will look at the future of Swiss private banking following various national "amnesties" for undeclared Swiss accounts and in light of the anticipated deals currently being negotiated by Switzerland with the UK and German governments.  Will Switzerland continue as the world's pre-eminent private banking centre?
Jason Collins, head of professional and financial services sector group, McGrigors, UK
Charles Gothard, head of international tax and wealth structuring, Speechly Bircham, UK
Philippe Pulfer, partner, Froriep Renggli, Switzerland

C. France
With France passing new trust codes, this session will look at the key developments in these areas. How are these draconian rules affecting trusts, ISF thresholds and rates and amendments to inheritance and gift tax?
Line-Alexa Glotin, partner, UGGC & Associés, France
Jean-Marc Tirard, partner, Tirard Naudin, France

18.00 Close of day one

19.30 Welcome dinner

CLICK HERE to download the conference brochure (pdf)