American in Britain Spring 2021 by American in Britain magazine and The American Hour website

SPRING 2021

AMERICAN IN BRITAIN Serving the American Community in the UK

FEATURES INCLUDE American Expatriate Clubs & News • Arts & Antiques Buying And Selling Jewellery At Auction • Eating Out • Ghostwriting Legal Issues • Options For American Business Owners • Property Spring Walks • Travel • Wealth Management A D V I S O RY PA N E L

AMERICAN IN BRITAIN

SPRING 2021

CONTENTS 3 Eating Out 7 Legal Issues

8 Spring Walks 11 Property

13 Wealth Management 17 Tax Matters

21 American Clubs News 23 Arts & Antiques

25 Buying And Selling Jewellery At Auction

27 Travel

30 The State Of Ghostwriting 32 Useful Numbers

PUBLISHER: Helen Elliott Telephone: 020 8661 0186 Email: helen@theamericanhour.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & SALES Ben Everson Telephone: 07921 694823 Email: ben@theamericanhour.com American in Britain, PO Box 921, Sutton, SM1 2WB No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers Origination and Printing by Gemini Group WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

Helen Elliott

Ben Everson

Leaping into Spring

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EATING OUT

EATING OUT New Openings This Spring/Summer 2021 relaxed vibe with bags of character. Check out the bar’s range of over 20 tequilas, from the internationally renowned to unusual craft brands, as well as its regular roster of carefully curated events with local artists, designers and DJs. Celebrate the city and express yourself at NYX. www.nyx-hotels.com/londonholborn

I am sure you are as delighted as we are that bars and restaurants are now beginning to open up, and as we haven’t been able to review any over the past few months, we thought we would share with you a few new restaurants opening up over the next few weeks.

EggRun, Monument Opening 12 April

SUMI

EggRun is a new egg-based fast casual concept from co-founders, Laurent Manuel and Asher Grant. Opening at Monument on Fish Street Hill on 12th April, the all-day café balances health and indulgence with a primarily graband-go offer with limited seating (10 covers). The menu features freshly prepared, ethically sourced food for egg and meat lovers as well as vegans and vegetarians. Executive Chef John Skotidas (Manzi) has created classics such as scrambled eggs with caramelised onions, cheddar, chives and EggRun’s secret sauce; and the TacoRun with scrambled eggs, feta cheese, onion and lettuce, both served in a brioche bun and both with the option of vegan eggs and cheese. Burgers feature the likes of the New Yolker – a beef patty topped with a fried egg, crispy and caramelised onions, gherkins, tomato and secret sauce. www.eggrun.com

named after Endo’s mother – offers diners the unique sensory experience synonymous with Chef Endo’s signature cuisine. The bijou ‘at home’ menu is shaped by the seasons and offers guests a choice of four boxes. Expect a colourful array of sushi and sashimi, as well as a premium selection of fresh and cured fish, alongside a selection of vegan choices too. Once lockdown lifts, SUMI will open its doors to diners, revealing an elegant and serene restaurant decked with pale wood panelling, traditional white tiling and rattan accents. Devoted to craft and quality, Head Chef Yasuda Akinori (previously of Zuma), will serve a refined yet approachable menu using impeccably sourced, high quality ingredients. www.sushisumi.com

NYX Hotel London Holborn Opening 17th May

Hot Stone, Fitzrovia

Opening for delivery on 11th March and in-restaurant dining on 17th May The award-winning and critically acclaimed Japanese dining concept Hot Stone will open a second restaurant on Fitzrovia’s Windmill Street in March 2021 for delivery, followed by in-restaurant dining on 17th May. Hot Stone Fitzrovia will feature traditional wooden panelling, sharp lines, accent tiling and artwork by 18th century Japanese ukiyo-e painter Hokusai Katsushika. The menu, by Executive Chef Padam Raj Rai, includes Hot Stone’s signature Ishiyaki fare - inspired by the historic Japanese art of cooking on hot stones - alongside freshly prepared sushi, sashimi and seasonally changing hot dishes such as 48-hour marinated black cod, homemade tofu and new to Fitzrovia: Hamachi cheeks. The menu will also feature certified Kobe beef – which Hot Stone Fitzrovia will be one of just eight restaurants in the UK to serve – and freshly grated Japanese wasabi. www.hotstonelondon.com

From Madrid and Milan, via Tel Aviv, London is about to get its first NYX hotel! NYX Hotel London Holborn will open on 17th May on Southampton Street, reflecting the vibrancy and character of the city, amplified. At the hub of London’s mid-town, this individual, ultramodern hotel has an avant-garde bar and kitchen at the very heart of the property. From working breakfasts, light lunches, leisurely brunches and suppers through to late night sharing platters and cocktails, expect a EggRun

SUMI, Notting Hill Open for delivery now, opening for dine-in 17 May 2021

From the team behind Michelin-starred Endo at Rotunda, SUMI is the casual yet elegant little sister to sushi master Endo Kazutoshi’s eponymous White City restaurant. SUMI – WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

NYX Hotel London Holborn

Hot Stone

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Burger, Rudy’s Reuben, mac ‘n’ cheeze and dairy-free freakshakes and a new plantbased brunch menu. Customers will also be able to purchase the brand’s signature range of meat-free alternatives such as pastrami, baycon and Turk’y roll from the adjoining Rudy’s Vegan Butcher or order online for nationwide delivery. A home delivery menu will also be available across North London postcodes alongside DIY home kits. www.rudysvegan.com

Heritage, Dulwich Opening 17th May

Alban’s Well

Alban’s Well, St Albans

Opening terrace 12th April, indoor dining 17th May St Albans is set to welcome a new pub to the high street with the opening of Alban’s Well, launching first with its outdoor terrace for alfresco dining. Located on the bustling St Peter’s Street, the new Young’s pub has taken over the groundfloor of the former BHS site, undergoing an extensive refurbishment to create a 168-cover pub and dining room, complete with 62-cover alfresco patio. Interiors will take a sustainable approach, with upcycled furniture and reclaimed tiling, while seasonal British menus will champion underutilised and ethically sourced ingredients, with a focus on plant-based and gluten-free dishes. The opening will also see the introduction of a self-service wine experience from the ‘Wine Wall’, offering a wide range of wines by the glass. www.albanswell.co.uk

Enderby House, Greenwich Opening terraces 12th April, indoor dining 17th May

Young’s is pleased to announce the longanticipated arrival of Enderby House in Greenwich, set to open its doors on Monday 12th April with the launch of its riverside

Enderby House

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terraces. A piece of maritime history, the Grade II listed pub has been a focal point of the Greenwich riverbank for over 185 years, and has been sympathetically renovated to house a welcoming, local pub that champions the building’s heritage with original design features. Set across three floors, Enderby House boasts an inviting pub, two dining rooms, and a variety of bookable private spaces, each with its own unique design and character, as well as two riverside terraces. With stunning views along the Thames path, the new ground and first floor terraces offer the ideal spot for alfresco dining for friends and family, while menus will celebrate the best of seafood and British produce, together with a selection of local craft and draught beers. www.enderbyhousepub.co.uk

Rudy’s Vegan Diner, Islington Opening April for delivery and in-restaurant dining 17th May

Following the success of the brand’s debut site in Camden and the opening of the world’s first vegan butcher in November 2020, Rudy’s Vegan Diner will open its second restaurant on Islington’s Upper Street for delivery in April and in-restaurant dining in May. The menu will offer the brand’s signature veganised versions of classic American junk food dishes, with highlights such as the Dirty

Rudy’s Vegan Diner

New fine-dining Indian restaurant, Heritage, will open for dining-in on Rosendale Road, West Dulwich on 17th May with Executive Chef Dayashankar Sharma at the helm. Drawing on 30 years of culinary experience including Michelin-starred Tamarind and Kensington classic, Zaika, Chef Sharma has created a menu celebrating traditional and authentic Indian recipes and ingredients, elevated with seasonal produce and modern cookery techniques. Offering regional small plates, kebabs, tikkas and curry dishes with bold, signature flavours, the menu prioritises produce and provenance, with highlight dishes including chargrilled truffle murgh kebab, vegetarian and vegan options such as broccoli ke kofte, and inventive Indian breads like the gruyere and chilli naan. The drinks menu will offer Indian-inspired cocktails and zero-proof versions, a range of fine wines and a number of Indian whiskies and beers. www.heritagedulwich.co.uk Heritage

EATING OUT

Indian Alley

Indian Alley, Camden Opening end April for al fresco dining, May for in-restaurant

From the people behind Benares Mayfair, Indian Alley will open at the end of April for al fresco dining with the restaurant opening fully towards the end of May. Indian Alley will bring dishes from the colourful roadside eateries of Delhi to London, presenting food that is typically eaten on a daily basis by the hard-working masses who live in the bustling city. Located within a 2,250 sq Grade I-listed building in Stables Market, the 80-cover restaurant will serve Indian style street-food – expect spicy chicken wings, paratha wraps and lamb seekh kebabs – whilst the bar will offer a range of cocktails and beers. Head outside for drinks and nibbles on the 30-cover terrace in the heart of the Market. www.indianalley.co.uk

Sabine, St Paul’s Opening 19th May

Sabine, London’s newest rooftop bar will open in the heart of St Paul’s on Godliman Street come 19th May. With spectacular views of the cathedral and its own destination entrance, Sabine is a stunning venue with a chilled vibe and botanical interiors – a verdant oasis in the heart of The City. From afterwork drinks to weekend lounging, Sabine will offer two outside terraces, one with a retractable roof for all weather drinking and dining, an innovative bar food menu including exquisite sharing platters alongside seasonal cocktails, local gins, and a wide variety of rosé wines and champagnes. Escape the concrete jungle and head to what promises to be London’s hottest sky bar. @Sabine_rooftopbar

Werewolf Beer, An American Brewery In London! Projected opening late Summer/Early Autumn 2021

My name is Rich, I moved to London from Syracuse, NY in 2013 to be with my wife (she’s British) after meeting her on a trip to London to see Frank Turner play at Wembley Arena. In the WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

Sabine

end we actually got married in Pennsylvania at a Frank Turner gig! As I’ve been home brewing since about age 20 and working at several breweries back home, it seemed reasonable to do it full-time here. So in 2014, I started working for London Brewing Co, moved up to Head Brewer and helped them expand from a small operation in Highgate to the huge brewpub at The Bohemia in North Finchley. I had a lot of successes while the craft beer world was changing/expanding rapidly in the UK, and after 5 years it was time to move on and do it my way! The seeds for Werewolf Beer were planted. Jump to now, and we are working to finalise our lease at Arch 87 Randolph Street. Indoors will house the brewery and outside will be a beer garden, all with a nod to roadside America; gas stations, rock/country music, neon and tasty snacks. We are minutes away from Regents Canal towpath by foot, as well as Camden Road Overground, Camden Underground, buses, and will be serviced by the planned Camden Highline (directly above us!). For some added character in the décor I may have purchased the contents of the Haunted Ghost Train ride from Rainbow Park in Hunstanton which was recently demolished. Once we get rolling the taproom will be open for tastings from 4-9pm on Fridays, and 12-9pm on Saturdays, so we can share our products with the local community as fresh as possible! Our projected opening is late Summer/Early Autumn 2021.

We are producing classic American style craft beers in keg and cans with a flagship range of Physchobilly American Pale Ale, Moonstomp Rice Lager, Horrorshow Rye IPA, Creepster American Brown and Stray Cat Session/Citrus IPA. Our experimental and seasonal beers will focus on brews with interesting colours derived from natural and novel ingredients. We’ve brewed some test batches in our secret lair at the Rose & Crown which have gone very well, with some kegs selling out in mere hours! More information can be found at: www.werewolfbeer.com @WerewolfBeer on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook.

MARK WALTERS mark. walters@bdo.co.uk +44 (0)207 893 3497 PAUL FLANNERY paul.flannery@bdo.co.uk +44 (0)207 893 3520

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LEGAL ISSUES

LEGAL ISSUES Budget Reconciliation, Bernie Sanders And President Biden’s Tax Policy Proposals With the Democratic Party taking effective control of the Senate and Bernie Sanders to become chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, it becomes possible for President Biden to enact his tax proposals through the process of ‘budget reconciliation’, including: • Reducing the estate and gift tax exemption amount from $11,700,000 (currently applicable in 2021) to approximately $5,600,000 or perhaps $3,500,000 • Eliminating basis step up for inherited assets

While enactment of most legislation will require cooperation from Republicans, as 60 votes are generally needed to pass legislation in the Senate, fiscal related legislation can instead be passed with a simple majority vote using the budget reconciliation process WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

• Increasing the top marginal individual income tax rate to 39.6% (from 37%) • Taxing long-term capital gains and qualified dividends as ordinary income at 39.6% (rather than the current 20% capital gains rate) for individuals with income over $1,000,000 • Increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% (from 21%) and increasing the effective rate of GILTI tax applicable to ‘controlled foreign corporations’ to 21% (from 10.5%). While enactment of most legislation will require cooperation from Republicans, as 60 votes are generally needed to pass legislation in the Senate, fiscal related legislation can instead be passed with a simple majority vote using the budget reconciliation process. With the Senate split 50 / 50 between Democrats and Republicans, Vice President Kamala Harris will be in position to cast the tie breaking vote (provided that all the Democratic Senators present a unified front). In past years, the Republicans have used the budget reconciliation process to enact President Trump’s 2017 tax plan and President George W. Bush’s 2001 tax plan and the Democrats used the process in 2010 to enact elements of the Affordable Care Act under President Obama. Any legislation passed through the budget reconciliation process must not increase the budget deficit beyond a ten year window, new spending must be offset with either new revenue or other spending decreases and each element of the legislation must have a direct non-incidental impact on the budget. Thus, non-fiscal legislation such as civil rights and voting rights would seem unlikely to be able to be implemented under this process. Budget reconciliation does though potentially lend itself to legislation such as infrastructure, climate change, health care and, of course, tax. The reconciliation process is generally available only once a year, and Congress did not pass a budget resolution for 2021. For example, if Republicans are unwilling to support a Democrat sponsored package for further COVID relief, it would be possible for Democrats to use the reconciliation process in the early days of Biden’s term to pass a COVID relief package and then again later in the year for other legislation in connection with passing a 2022 budget. To what extent the Democrats actually will be able to use the process to implement

The budget reconciliation process allows for the possibility of many legislative changes major legislation may ultimately be a question of political will power. From a practical perspective, assuming that Senator Bernie Sanders uses his role as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee to propose more liberal budget related legislation, how will that be received by the more conservative Senate Democratic members? If even one Democrat Senator chooses not to support a proposal, then the matter will not progress. From a broader political perspective, will President Biden be willing to enact major legislative policy changes without any element of Republican support? If so, how will that impact on President Biden’s vows to unify America and build bridges between Democrats and Republicans? The budget reconciliation process allows for the possibility of many legislative changes. President Biden and his administration will need to form a strong view of which of those outcomes are desirable in the broader political context. Jay Krause, Partner T: +44 20 7597 6350 E: jay.krause@withersworldwide.com

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SPRING WALKS IN THE UK Spring is a very special time of year when nature awakens from its Winter slumber and puts on a spectacular show for us. In 2021, it is not only nature that has been ‘sleeping’ it has also been the whole population, and what better way to celebrate the coming to an end of lockdown than taking a walk in the stunning UK countryside as it awakes. There are so many walks to choose from it is hard to whittle it down to a top 100 let alone a top 5, and I am sure you have your favourites, but below are a few suggestions which I believe you will enjoy as much as I have. The wonderful thing is that we are truly spoilt here in the UK, as there are so many walks to choose from and walking is free and healthy to boot. In my opinion, there is nothing better for the soul than to come to the top of a hill after a challenging climb and be able to see out over the rolling fields and hedges of the UK, and listen to the insects and birds whilst catching your breath. Spring is a magical time of year with the return of wildlife to our shores, the rich tapestry of wild flowers carpeting the fields and forest floors and the hum of the insects, and below are a few of my favourites from across the country.

1. Hidden Hindhead Walking Trail, Surrey

On this walk you cross the old A3, now grassed over, and admire the views over the Punch Bowl as well as the views of the London Skyline from over 39 miles away. On the way you also have wonderful views of the South Downs and the magical purples of the heather can make you feel you are in the Scottish mountains rather than Surrey.

with crystal clear waters mirroring the surrounding woodlands and the colours defy description. Stone skimming on Buttermere or seeing the ‘host of golden daffodils’ poetically described by Wordsworth will lift your spirits, and walking in Spring means all the flowers are out and the lambs are playing in the fields. More information is available at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk.

The Three Burys Walk, St Albans

The Lake District

3. Lynmouth to Watersmeet House, Devon

This walk is spectacular at any time of the year, but in Spring the cascading river and the abundance of bluebells and possible sightings of deer make this walk even more special. Lynmouth is where Exmoor meets the sea, and this 4 mile circular walk is an easy one that gives all ages of walker an abundance of nature as well as history, and is loved by visitors and locals alike. Lynmouth to Watersmeet House, Devon

The Lake District is one of my very favourite places in the country, and every Easter I used to go for a week to walk with my father and brother. The scenery is spectacular, 8

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5. Hever Circular (near Edenbridge)

A gentle walk of 4.5 miles without any steep sections through quiet woods and meadows with a great variety of trees and birdlife. The route starts at the medieval church of St Peter, last resting place of Anne Boleyn’s father, and right by the entrance to Hever Castle (her childhood home). The final stretches cut through fields some with sheep with their lambs in Spring and at the end of the walk there is a large historic pub, the Henry VIII, to beckon you.

Hever Circular (near Edenbridge)

Hidden Hindhead Walking Trail, Surrey

2. The Lake District

wends its way along the Ver Valley and starts at Verulamium Museum, St Albans. I would also recommend that you visit the museum, but this walk can also start at Redbournbury Mill, which also has a great bakery, selling tempting cakes made from the flour milled on site. The two other ‘burys’ are the Grand estate at Gorhambury and picturesque Childwickbury.

4. The Three Burys Walk, St Albans

St Albans is the site of the Roman town of Verulamium, and this picturesque walk

Wherever you live in the UK, Spring truly is a magical time, and with the Covid19 restrictions steadily lifting, we hope you will enjoy your time enjoying our beautiful country.

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY Welcome To Notting Hill Part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Notting Hill has been transformed over the last 50 years. Catapulted into worldwide pop-culture fame as the location for Richard Curtis’s 1999 eponymous romcom starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, the global perception of Notting Hill as the epitome of bookish and elegant ‘Old London’ endures. Yet, with its annual Caribbean carnival, melting pot of cultural influences and vibrant, artistic past – there’s so much more than meets the eye to this zesty west corner of the capital. Developed in the 19th century to provide housing for the growing London middle classes and influenced by the fashions of the time, the area has been laid out in elegant squares and crescents, many with communal gardens, providing excellent family housing. Residents are attracted to the ‘bohemian-meets-cool’ atmosphere of the area and the diverse mix of people, as well as the truly unique community and village atmosphere which is so rare to come by in a large city. Adding to the village-inthe-city feel is the abundance of open green space, including Holland Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, offering facilities such as the Serpentine Lake and Gallery, Albert Memorial, and the Italian Gardens. A defining part of Notting Hill’s culture is the annual Notting Hill Carnival – the largest street festival in Europe – celebrated every August Bank Holiday weekend since the 1960s. There is a strong Caribbean theme WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

to the carnival with hundreds of performers and floats along the parade route, attracting some two million people every year over the Sunday and Monday on which it is held. If you’ve heard of Notting Hill, the chances are you’ve also heard of the colourful Portobello Road, home to the world’s largest antique market, held every weekend. The name for Portobello Road actually comes from the ‘War of Jenkins’ Ear’, when Admiral Edward Vernon captured the Panamanian town of Puerto Bello from the Spanish. The Ladbroke family owned much of the land in Notting Hill in the 19th century, and as such, several streets and locations in the district are named after the family. Notting Hill has always been an inspiration to musicians, artists and actors. Jimi Hendrix wrote his renowned Purple Haze here, the critically acclaimed black comedy Withnail & I was filmed in the area, the famous Keira Knightley ‘to me, you are perfect’ scene in Love Actually took place on a Notting Hill mews, and more recently parts of the Paddington film series were shot on Portobello Road – to name just a few of its silver screen credits. With its creative atmosphere, lifestyle opportunities and proximity to the City, Notting Hill attracts a wide mixture of people including many celebrities and media moguls, as well as bankers and professionals who predominantly work in the City of London, the West End, Canary Wharf and Mayfair. It is also a popular spot for many young families to put down roots,

with excellent access to world-class schools including Wetherby, Notting Hill Prep and Pembridge Hall.

Houses In Notting Hill

A mix of Georgian, Edwardian, Victorian and modern architecture line the leafy streets of W11. St Peter’s, the landmark church on Kensington Park Road, was designed by Thomas Allom in 1855 along with the surrounding housing in Kensington Park Gardens, Stanley Crescent and Stanley Gardens. Sweeping crescents retaining original features help to distinguish Notting Hill’s character, with its white stucco facades and in some streets, such as Portobello Road, bright terrace houses painted in a variety of colours. Some of the most desirable crescents include Lansdowne, Stanley, Elgin and Blenheim Crescent. Mews houses are also very popular in this area, including Pembridge Mews, St Luke’s Mews, and Horbury Mews.

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With a consistent demand for property here, the area is seeing more and more new developments pop up, providing more diverse architecture and modern wellbeing facilities.

Shopping

In addition to its weekly market, Portobello Road is home to a number of quirky independent boutiques and antique emporiums. In contrast, nearby Westbourne Grove is a treasure trove of exclusive clothing stores, interior designer shops, delis and cafés – as can be found on many of the surrounding crescents and streets, including interior specialists Graham & Green and Lucy Choi, Jimmy Choo’s niece, who is carving her own name in the footwear world. If you’re looking for everything you could ever want and more under one roof, then Westfield London is just a stone’s throw away in Shepherd’s Bush: one of the capital’s premier shopping destinations, with more than 300 shops, from high-street brands to top-end designers.

Getting Around

Notting Hill is easily accessible by train, plane, bus and car: Underground: Notting Hill Gate for Central, District & Circle lines. Ladbroke Grove for

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Hammersmith & City line, Holland Park for Central line and Westbourne Park Station for Circle, Hammersmith & City lines. The Central line gives direct access to Bond Street and on towards the City of London. Train: London Paddington is the closest major train station offering transport links to the west of England. Buses: Notting Hill boasts one of the best bus hubs in central London with links to all points of the compass – north, south, east, west. Car: The Westway (A40) the M40, M4 and M3 all provide access out of London and access to the M25 – the London Orbital motorway.

Restaurants, Pubs and Bars

The Ledbury Voted the UK’s best restaurant numerous times since launching in 2005, The Ledbury is the place to go for two-Michelin-starred British cooking. Electric Diner In the heart of the bustling Portobello Market, the Electric Diner is a perfect spot for a bite to eat, from brunch to burgers. It turns into a late-night bar in the evenings, serving great beers, wines and classic cocktails. The Cleveland Arms Serving the local community since 1852, this pub was lovingly restored in 2014, and

combines the atmosphere of an old British pub with a modern style and fantastic food. Farmacy This sleek vegan restaurant offers up an awe-inspiring plant-based menu, full of nutritious and seasonal dishes. The Cow This gastropub and saloon bar serve up delicious food. It has a particularly good shellfish selection, including oyster tasting plates and seafood platters.

Knight Frank’s Relocation Service

With over 30 offices in London and the Home Counties and a large global network, Knight Frank provide personalised, clear and considered sales, lettings and relocation services in all key markets. We understand that moving home is a stressful and time-consuming process at the best of times, without the added challenge of that move being to a new country. Our relocation team are on hand to help you with this new chapter, offering a bespoke service with no cost or obligations and full access to London’s property market, to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible. Sacha Hawkins, Associate, Relocation Inspired by my parents’ love of property, I started out my real estate career in Cambridge, first working as an estate agent. I jumped at the opportunity to move into the world of corporate relocation and now have over eight years’ experience working in the dynamic and global London market. A vital part of what I do is to listen to my clients’ individual needs, so that when they are matched to their perfect property, they have the best start to their new journey in London. If you’d like any complimentary property advice or to discuss your needs, please email: Sacha.Hawkins@knightfrank.com or call: +44 20 3504 7337. I’d love to help you. www.knightfrank.co.uk

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

WEALTH MANAGEMENT The Importance of Retirement Preparation for Women March 8th was International Women’s Day, which seemingly marks a good time to focus on women and the importance of financial planning to provide for a comfortable retirement. Retirement Planning in general has come into greater focus in the last thirty years with increasing life expectancies, increasing costs of medical care and a decreasing ability to rely on final salary pension provisions. Also, one thing we know for certain is that life is uncertain. We should always expect the unexpected and prepare accordingly. Without proper planning for retirement, it can be nearly impossible to understand whether you will have enough income and capital to provide for your retirement needs and know whether it will provide for your needs in a way that is also satisfactory for you. Women generally tend to live longer than men, so the significance of adequately preparing for retirement is arguably even more essential. The topic of retirement planning for women is especially important due to the fact that women still tend to fall behind their male counterparts when it comes to preparedness. Lifetime earnings tend to be a direct driver for savings, and the net estimated lifetime earnings for men and women with a bachelor’s degree currently in the US stands at $2.19 million and $1.32 million, respectively.(1) In the US, for men and women with a graduate degree the net estimated lifetime earnings is $2.68 million and $1.69 million, respectively.(2) Additionally, women tend to reach their peak average earnings much younger around age 44 versus age 55 for men. (3) A recent 2020 Women & Retirement Report(4) published by Scottish Widows reveals progress has been made in recent years with respect to adequate savings rates between genders. Between 2013 and 2020, the percentage of women deemed to be saving adequately increased from 40% to 59%. During this same time period, the percentage of men saving adequately increased from 49% to 60%. Saving adequately, in the Scottish Widows report, is defined as individuals saving at least 12% of their income or in a defined benefit scheme. While this is an encouraging trend, given the definition of adequate saving as a percentage of income, it does little to unmask the fact that women on average are saving less overall, due to the income differentials, which in turn contributes to the widening pension savings gap between women and men. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

There are obviously a number of reasons that lead to the differential in estimated lifetime earnings, some of which are common life events that tend to widen the savings gap. These most commonly can range from career interruptions or reduced working hours due to care giving of children and other family members, and divorce, among other things. When many women may be ‘peaking’ in their average earnings, this tends to also be the same time that many household expenses are dictating preretirement spending priorities. Retirement savings inevitably tends to fall lower on the financial priority list. Understanding the backdrop provides some context to the problem that exists. As noted above, some progress has been made towards closing this gap but there is still more work to be done. However, what are some concrete things that women can do to aid their retirement planning?

These most commonly can range from career interruptions or reduced working hours due to care giving of children and other family members, and divorce, among other things 1. Ensure You Remain Engaged In Household Finances And Savings Plans

While this trend has been somewhat subdued in recent years, there remains a tendency among women to delegate

household finances to their spouse and limit their involvement and understanding. This can lead to multiple problems. First, when you are disengaged, it likely means there is less knowledge of what you are saving and you are more likely to spend unconsciously. Second, with longer life expectances, it is likely that a woman will need to take on the primary role of managing the household finances at some point in the future. Taking over that role, and having a pre-understanding of where and what everything is, will be invaluable during any period of transition.

2. Save Into A Pension Even During Periods Of Career Interruption

A basic premise to saving and investing is saving early and often. Even just a little bit adds up and allows the growth to be compounded over time. Women often tend to be more conservative investors than men, so while the temptation may be there to hold on to cash, it is important to not hold onto too much cash as inflation will work against you over time. It can be extremely beneficial to prioritise trying to make some level of a pension contribution no matter whether you are working fulltime, part-time or taking a break for a period of time. In the last few years, auto-enrolment into UK workplace pension schemes began to make sure that a minimum contribution was being made for those working. However, it is often the case that even those who are temporarily not working may still be able to direct some funds towards a pension. In the UK, even in years where an individual does not have any earned income, annual contributions of up to £3,600 gross can be made. Individuals would contribute up to £2,880 with 20% basic rate relief being added to the pension for a gross contribution of £3,600. Additionally, US taxpayers who file joint tax returns with a working spouse who has qualifying earned income, may have the opportunity to make annual IRA contributions based on their spouse’s income. In 2021, individuals can put up to $6,000 into an IRA ($7,000 if aged 50 or older) with qualifying income. An IRA will provide another tax deferred tax wrapper to utilise for your long-term pension provisions. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK

3. Understand Your UK State Pension And US Social Security Entitlements

Anyone working in the UK and making National Insurance contributions will be building up an entitlement to a future State Pension benefit. You must have 10 qualifying years of contributions to earn a benefit, but you will not maximise your benefit under the New State Pension until you have 35 qualifying years. It is beneficial to review your National Insurance record (via Government Gateway) periodically as there is often opportunity to voluntarily pay a fixed amount to fill any gaps in your record. You can usually only pay gaps in your record from the last 6 tax years. However, there is currently an opportunity to make voluntary contributions before 5 April 2023 related to gaps in your record between April 2006 and April 2016. Paying voluntar y contributions is relatively cheap in relation to the extra benefit that is picked up over the course of your retirement years. It is also relevant to note that it can be possible to gain credits on your record for years that you spend as a carer, so you want to make sure you are given credits on your record where warranted. Conversely, anyone who has worked in the US for 10 years or more (and gained 40 credits) likely has a future US Social Security entitlement. While there is no easy way to make voluntary contributions to fill in gaps in your US Social Security record, it is important to factor in this projected benefit into your overall planning. Individuals living in the UK with a built-up Social Security benefit are entitled to receive that benefit alongside a UK State Pension benefit. However, you should be aware of something called the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which may impact your eventual US benefit should you have more than 10 qualifying years but less than 30 qualifying years of substantial earnings in the US. Should the WEP apply, there is a maximum reduction that can be applicable and despite any possible reduction it is always still beneficial to still collect both entitlements. If you are unsure about the benefit of making voluntary contributions it can be beneficial to speak with the Future Pension Centre for any questions, and it can also be helpful to seek financial advice to apply any rules to your individual situation.

4. Remain In Some Kind Of Work For As Long As Possible

The UK State Pension age is currently age 66 (with it set to increase to age 67 in 2029). While you can collect your benefit from that point, it should be noted that you have the option to delay the start of your State Pension benefit 14

AMERICAN IN BRITAIN

payments. Should you delay, your State Pension benefit will increase by the equivalent of 1% for every 9 weeks you defer which translates to an increase of just under 5.8% every year. For individuals who are born in 1960 or later, your US Social Security full retirement age is age 67. While you can begin to take benefits as early as age 62, your benefits will be reduced permanently during your retirement years. Similarly, you can defer your benefits from full retirement age and begin collecting any time between full retirement age and age 70. For every year that you defer your payments your benefit will increase by 8%. For individuals who have limited assets elsewhere, are looking to maximise their pension income provision during their retirement years, and are healthy enough to maintain some level of work into their 60’s, it can be materially beneficial to continue some earned income stream for a few extra years and delay the receipt of both pension benefits. This will allow you to pick up on the increases in pension annuity income that the government offers for deferring the start of your payments. No matter your current financial situation, small steps can be taken to close the pension savings gap as much as possible in an efficient manner and help prepare you for your retirement years. If you have never undergone retirement planning, it is never too early or late to start. The earlier you have a handle on whether your retirement savings are sufficient for your desired needs, the more opportunity you will have to allow your savings to work for you rather than against you.

information contained herein is subject to copyright with all rights reserved. MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth) is established as a limited liability partnership under the laws of England and Wales (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, WC2R 0HS. For your protection, telephone calls may be recorded. MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is registered in the US with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Adviser. References 1. www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/researchsummaries/education-earnings.html 2. www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/researchsummaries/education-earnings.html 3. www.imdiversity.com/diversity-news/ women-see-their-wages-peak-earlier-andlower-than-men/ 4. www.adviser.scottishwidows.co.uk/ assets/literature/docs/2020-womenretirement-report.pdf

Risk Warnings And Important Information

Nothing in this article constitutes investment, tax or any other type of advice and should not be construed as such. The information in this article is provided for information purposes only. You should consult with your financial adviser before making investment decisions. All investments involve risk and may lose value. The value of investments can go down depending upon market conditions and you may not get back the original amount invested. Your capital is always at risk. Information is based on data which MASECO considers reliable, however, MASECO gives no assurance or guarantee that the information is accurate, current or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Information about tax benefits is based on our understanding of current tax law and practice (which may be subject to change). The levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation is subject to change. However, MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist. We recommend that anyone considering investing seeks their own tax advice. The tax treatment of any investment or particular strategy will depend on the individual circumstances of each person and may be subject to change in the future. The

Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth where she helps to provide financial planning and wealth structuring advisory services to US expatriates in the UK and British nationals in the US. Before joining MASECO, Andrea spent the first part of her career with a wellknown Washington DC based international tax and global wealth management firm where she gained considerable experience advising high net worth individuals with multi-jurisdictional financial interests to design and implement strategies for taxefficient and risk-managed asset growth. She has written numerous white papers regarding fundamental financial planning and investment strategies for US connected individuals and has previously been a speaker on financial planning topics at numerous places including both The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Andrea graduated from University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and Management and completed her MBA at Imperial College London. Visit www.masecoprivatewealth.com for further information.

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AMERICAN IN BRITAIN

OPTIONS FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OPTIONS FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE UK The following is designed to provide general tax and business information for those independently relocating to or residing in the United Kingdom and does not constitute legal advice. As with all legal issues, seeking tailored advice from qualified counsel is advisable. As an American doing business in the United Kingdom, you have several options for structuring your activities. Selecting a business structure that will balance tax and administrative efficiency against the legal protections provided by more formal arrangements is key. The decision to organise a UK business does not require most expatriates to consider how their choice of operating structure will be taxed by their country of nationality. For American expatriates, due to the worldwide tax and information reporting regime in place in the United States, crossborder tax implications will remain top of mind for their businesses. The tax and reporting landscape for American business owners abroad has been dynamic in recent years, to put it lightly. This trend is unlikely to change with a new administration and more tax legislation likely on the horizon. During the last administration, changes to UK corporate tax law without question generated a wealth of tax planning and savings opportunities for multi-national and UK-based companies. However, American small business owners living and working abroad did not necessarily feel the love. After these changes, annual tax planning is now an important activity for every American doing business abroad, regardless of the size of the company. Nevertheless, for American expatriate small business owners, this new wave of tax planning is merely designed to reverse the negative impact of these tax law changes. Unfortunately, the prospect of a relatively straightforward tax reporting project is now off the table for any American doing business abroad independently. The information below covers the most common structures for operating UK business activities and provides a summary of the UK tax considerations that should be analysed within the context of each. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

Sole Trader

Without question, operating as a sole trader provides the easiest option for setting up and managing the ongoing administration of your UK business affairs. Sole traders simply register their independent business activity with HMRC and are ready to begin work. Note, however, that many businesses selling products or engaging in other regulated activities will still maintain the responsibility to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) and any other relevant licenses that may be applicable to their business. The notable drawback of operating as a sole trader is that no limited liability protection is provided. This means that you would remain personally responsible for debts and other liabilities of the business. Given this lack of protection, operating as a sole trader would be a risky option for most business owners. UK Tax Insights - From a tax reporting perspective, the sole trader structure is by far the most straightforward approach for an American doing business in the UK. The business activity would be reported directly through your personal UK tax return on Schedule C without any need to prepare formal financial statements or run payroll. Moreover, the rate of tax paid on income earned in the UK as a sole trader should more than offset the tax due on the UK side by mechanism of the foreign tax credit. Compliance with UK National Insurance regulations will also provide an exemption from the 15.3% UK selfemployment tax based on the terms of the bilateral Social Security agreement in place between the UK and the UK.

Partnerships

A less common operating structure for Americans doing business in the UK is the partnership. A partnership exists when a group of at least two individuals collectively engage in an activity with the goal of producing a profit. A nominated partner is tasked with registering the business with HMRC and each partner will need to comply with Self-Assessment obligations individually. Income tax is calculated at each partner’s individual tax rate based on their respective share of partnership income, as if they were sole traders.

A partnership agreement is not required but is recommended in all situations, irrespective of personal or family dynamics that may characterise the business relationship. As is the case with sole trader status, no limited liability protection is offered to owners of these traditional partnerships. Moreover, as partners could potentially be responsible for the business debt attributable to other partners, the risk of operating without limited liability here is even greater than it is for sole traders. Those wishing to maintain certain tax and operating features of a partnership while ensuring limited liability from debts of the business may want to consider organising a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). LLPs are required to register with the Companies House, must submit annual financial reports, and are regulated in a similar way to private limited companies described below. UK Tax Insights - Reporting for a UK partnership arrangement will largely depend on the nationality status of other partners as well as how it is organised in the United Kingdom. For UK tax purposes, if at least one member of the partnership does not have limited liability, the arrangement is treated as a partnership and income and expenses pass through to the partner. If all members have limited liability, the corporate tax rules described below would apply by default, though elective treatment is available to change this status in certain situations. If the partnership is controlled by Americans, each holding at least a 10% interest in the business, annual information reporting on Form 8865 will apply. Americans in control of such an arrangement will be obligated to submit financial statements and other detailed information about the business activity annually. For UK partners in a controlled UK partnership that do not own a greater than 50% interest, this annual reporting may be limited to certain identifying details and transactions with the partnership. A UK owner of at least 10% of a foreign partnership arrangement will need to submit the Form 8865 in the year the ownership interest is acquired, regardless of whether the business is controlled by Americans. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK

Private Company Limited by Shares or Guarantee (LTD) Private limited companies are widely popular among UK business owners and are available for both individual owners and group ownership structures. No minimum capital requirement is applicable and limited liability is offered to shareholders, protecting their personal assets from debts of the business. This structure may be desirable for expatriates who do not want the risk of operating without limited liability, but accounting for tax attributes will need to be a crucial part of the decision. Establishing a private limited company is relatively straightforward and requires that Articles of Association, along with several other documents, be filed upon formation. The business is not obligated to hold meetings, but financial statements must be submitted annually within nine months of the company’s financial year-end. Smaller companies may qualify for simplified reporting and all private limited companies are subject to annual corporate tax filing responsibilities. Private limited companies are required to have at least one company director who must be a natural person, but it can be the sole shareholder of the company. Shares in a private limited company cannot be offered for sale to the general public and a transfer of shares can only occur through a private agreement of the shareholder. While the reporting challenges in the UK can be extensive for this structure, material UK tax savings can accrue from optimising salary and dividends. The ability to structure income in this manner for Americans paying tax at the higher and additional rate in the United Kingdom can more than offset the additional costs of compliance and UK challenges. UK Tax Insights - A UK limited company will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” if UK citizens or residents, each owning a 10% or greater interest, collectively own greater than 50% of the company. Americans with an interest in a UK limited company, classified as a controlled foreign corporation, will be obliged to submit Form 5471 on an annual basis disclosing significant information about the company including, balance sheets and income statements, detailed information about shareholders, schedules detailing alternate tax calculations, and summaries of previously taxed income, among other obligations. Prior to the changes in 2017, Americans doing business in the United Kingdom were able to leverage limited company operating structures efficiently, taxed in the UK only on salaries or similar compensation, dividend distributions from the company, and undistributed passive earnings that would be taxable irrespective of whether actually paid out during the year. The result was that 18

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While the reporting challenges in the UK can be extensive for this structure, material UK tax savings can accrue from optimising salary and dividends Americans actively doing business in the United Kingdom through a limited company could easily avoid unfortunate tax results in the UK by ensuring that the structure was not leveraged as a passive investment vehicle. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act introduced the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) regime beginning in 2018, creating another layer of taxation for UK shareholders of controlled foreign corporations. The new GILTI rules trigger current taxation for UK shareholders on their respective share of all undistributed income from the company, not just passive income. The amount treated as received under these rules is only reduced by an amount equal to 10% of the book value of the shareholder’s proportionate share of depreciable tangible assets in service in the business, less interest payments made to the shareholder and not reported as income. To complicate matters, a common strategy for minimising UK tax exposure with sole shareholder or closely-held companies results in corporate level profits being maximised in lieu of salaries of bonuses. When profits are managed in this manner, a significant GILTI inclusion will result on the UK side. Regulations were eventually adopted establishing a “high-tax” exclusion, creating relief from GILTI exposure in countries where the corporate tax rate is comparable to the rate on the UK side. This is one of multiple strategies for managing GILTI and may not be suitable for all American business owners in the United Kingdom, but the main benefit of this option is the ease of compliance. This high-tax exclusion may be available when the rate of tax in the foreign country where the corporation is located is at least 90% of the UK corporate tax rate, which is currently set at 21% - 18.9%. UK shareholders of UK limited companies currently paying the 19% rate in the United Kingdom just barely qualify to use this GILTI exclusion. With the high-tax exclusion essentially being a moving target and corporate tax

rate increases anticipated in both the United States and the United Kingdom, American business owners who have been protected from harsh GILTI treatment by this exclusion will want to stay apprised of any changes. Separate from this exclusion, numerous planning strategies remain available to American business owners using limited company structures that have the potential to eliminate the harsh results of these rules, including electing to be taxed as a corporate shareholder under IRC §962 or making an election to treat the limited company as a disregarded entity or partnership. Regardless, careful planning is now required in an area that was once manageable outside of some increased hassle when filing the UK tax return.

Public Limited Company (PLC)

Businesses that want the ability to offer shares of the company for sale to the public are required to organise a public limited company. This type of entity is characterised by significant organisation and administrative costs as well as strict formalities around meetings, voting, and other activities of the business enterprise. UK Tax Insights - Given the large number of shareholders typically associated with public limited company structures, the likelihood of controlled foreign corporation issues arising is very small. The primary concern for Americans invested in this type of company in the United Kingdom will be ensuring that business was not established to produce investment income, thus avoiding the complications experienced by shareholders of Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFIC). While private limited companies will be the most common operating structure for expat entrepreneurs and small business owners, the pros and cons of each structure should be closely analysed. Both UK and UK tax laws, as well as the ongoing costs of compliance and administration, must be factored into the broader decision-making. Ultimately, the analysis will largely come down to balancing UK tax savings against increased compliance challenges in the United States. Expat Legal Services Group offers unique legal services for American expatriates and foreign nationals with financial interests in the United States. Our firm serves the expat community in the areas of international tax, immigration law, and cross-border business and estate planning leveraging a suite of modern technology solutions. Contact Expat Legal Services Group today at: info@expatlegal.com or visit the website at: www.expatlegal.com. The choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.

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AMERICAN EXPATRIATE CLUBS NEWS

AMERICAN EXPATRIATE CLUBS NEWS KCWC

KCWC is an organisation based in London welcoming women of all ages and nationalities from all London boroughs and surrounding regions. We continue to provide engaging activities and our signature Speaker Series General Meetings even through these challenging times. This season we have been honoured to host leaders renown in their fields. These included banker Marisa Drew of Credit Suisse, CEO of Walpole Helen Brocklebank, authors Earl Spencer and Francesca Cartier Brickell, Lebanese journalist Dr. Zahera Harb, and Dr. Tristram Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. We invite you to join us via Zoom on Thursday 6 May to hear alpinist Masha Gordon, founder of the charity Grit and Rock. We will welcome a limited in person audience of our members to the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday 3 June for royal biographer Robert Hardman. Log onto www.kcwc.org.uk to learn about these events and more, as well as our member benefit companies offering bespoke discounts. Please email info@kcwc.org.uk for membership information. Our 38 year old organisation has a great deal awaiting you as a member of KCWC.

The American Society in London

The American Society in London was founded in 1895 by the then US Ambassador Thomas F. Bayard. Indeed, the serving US Ambassador has always been our Honorary President and we are fortunate to have the generous support of the US Embassy. The intention of our founders was to improve and cement relations between the citizens of our two countries, fostering mutual respect, understanding and affection. Membership is open to both US and UK citizens and draws heavily on the US expatriate community here in London. We are very pleased to announce that at our first quarter’s meeting the Society’s Board unanimously elected Lee Hoos as our

Retiring chairman Andrea C. Level at Winfield House, The American Society in London

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Incoming chairman Lee Hoos at Wychwood House, The American Society in London

new chairman. Lee is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a long-time American Society board member. Lee is also the CEO of Queens Park Rangers Football Club. GO RANGERS! Lee will succeed Andrea C. Level, who retired at the end of her term and has served as chairman since 2018. We look forward to resuming a full schedule of in-person events as soon as restrictions on large social gatherings are lifted. Please save the date for our famous Black Tie Thanksgiving Dinner which will be held on Friday, November 19th. You are warmly invited to apply for membership by emailing the Club Secretary at info@americansocietyuk.com Please visit our website where you can view some beautiful photos of our past events. and follow us on: Facebook @americansocietyinlondon Instagram @americansocietyuk or Twitter @ASL1895 www.americansocietyuk.com.

AWBS

Celebrating 40 Years Of Inclusiveness And Friendship Originally known as the American Women in Berkshire and Surrey, AWBS was founded in 1981 by a group of 32 expatriate women who wanted to create a place for support, encouragement and opportunity for American women and their families. We thank those enterprising women as they laid the path for the AWBS International Women’s Club of today. While we’re extremely proud of our heritage and continue to serve our expatriate and repatriated members, our new name and fresh logo is now inclusive of the very international presence in our membership. AWBS International Women’s Club serves as a social, intellectual and philanthropic club for women who have made a home in Berkshire and Surrey. Our current 215+ members are diverse, hailing from 45 different nationalities from the United States to Russia. Our members are educated world travellers

looking to meet like minded women, share life experiences and expand their knowledge, as well as integrate into their local communities in a fun and friendly, no pressure way. Our General Meetings are open to all members and run from September to May, these are well attended with some notable guest speakers. We’ve managed to maintain the rhythm of meetings in the chaos of Covid restrictions and are delighted by the strong participation and fun, albeit through Zoom! Recent highlights of speakers include Lucy Worsley, author and historian; Terry Waite, humanitarian and author; Cassidy Janson, West End star; Robert Lacey, author and historian to the popular series, The Crown – to name just a few. And just recently we welcomed Alex Denman from the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society. It goes without saying that we’re all looking forward to the usual General Meeting format where we can once again socialise, share stories and enjoy a spot of lunch. It will also be a time to open the doors again to support local vendors in our Best of Britain Room where all members can peruse the stalls and enjoy some shopping. The AWBS International Women’s Club has a strong focus on philanthropy and The Best of Britain Room is one example of how we raise funds throughout the year to support our chosen charities. Last year we raised over £15,000, an accolade our members are always thrilled to be a part of as Club members. As restrictions lift over the coming months, we look forward to opening up the full agenda of activities such as LoveLondon, Sports events, Games and Book Club to name a few. But in the mean time the Club has been supporting its members by thinking outside the box, offering a calendar of Zoom activities ranging from topical guest speakers and cook-a-longs to drawing and mediation as well as being innovative in presenting regular activities like Art Appreciation and English History. 2021 is a celebratory year for us and as well as the many events lined up we’re very excited to plan a special Gala for our 40th Club Anniversary in the soon newly opened Windsor Fairmont Hotel. Joining the AWBS International Women’s Club connects you to a wonderful group of friendly, accomplished and diverse women offering support, friendship and opportunities. We would love to hear from you and welcome you as a member! Contact our friendly membership team membership@ awbs.org.uk for any questions and for more on the Club and our up and coming events, visit www.awbs.org.uk. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK

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ARTS & ANTIQUES

ARTS & ANTIQUES Collecting Curiosities By Abby Cronin Jazz tea service manufactured by Royal Winton in 1930.

Art Deco Ceramics in Britain by Andre Caseypublished by the Antique Collectors Club in 2008

What is in your ‘cabinet of curiosities’? The contents are bound to reflect many aspects of your taste and lifestyle. Don’t be surprised if you find grandma’s jewellery, mother’s china, a few childhood toys, vinyl albums and or even a favourite prom dress or tux. These valuables live on in our ‘cabinet of curiosities’. They remind us of special events - mementos past and present. It is hardly surprising that as collectors we continue adding to our ‘cabinet’. And as we learn more about our favourite periods in art and design, the pleasure of searching for items on our shopping list is challenging and rewarding but rarely dull. Virtually all of us are collectors though we may not be aware of it. What motivates us to collect? Is it for pleasure or investment or both? If you are looking for items on your ‘must have’ list, they may not be easy to find. A useful strategy is to line up specialist dealers and keep in touch. When they know they have a buyer for a certain something, they are likely to seek it out. Be sure to visit fairs, galleries and museums - and check out specialist auctions online. Even in lockdown you don’t have to venture far from arts and antiques television shows for ideas. Popular shows like the Antiques Roadshow plus numerous other programmes highlight ways of learning how to find and collect antiques, memorabilia - all forms of the decorative arts. A recent TV show featured specialist collectors of model trains bidding for Hornby coaches, tankers, freight and coal wagons - and many other collectable accessories. There are numerous collectors’ clubs, publications and magazines read by serious buyers and sellers of arts and antiques. Calendars of antiques fairs cover events in the UK and Europe. Check out the Antique Trade Gazette- www.antiquestradegazette. com and Antiques News and Fairs: www.antiquesnews.co.uk. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

Lockdown has provided most of us with time on our hands. So why not search for some of your favourites by perusing the pages of specialist publications. Pictured here is a delightfully readable book about Art Deco Ceramics in Britain by Andre Caseypublished by the Antique Collectors Club in 2008. This period in British ceramic design flourished from 1918-1939. Key art deco stylistic cues in ceramics feature clean straight often symmetrical lines and flat surface decoration. The style is known as ‘Moderne’, ‘Jazz’ or ‘Cubist’. Several British potteries catered for contemporary middleclass domestic taste during this period and produced sets of crockery that were popular. Although many of these patterns fell from favour during the mid-20th century and post war years, in the 1960s Art Deco designs experienced a positive re-evaluation. Today pieces by Susie Cooper and Clarice Cliff are highly sought-after and fetch serious prices in the art market. If you fancy this style, look out for ceramics with geometrical shapes decorated in vivid colours, but do not buy before you do further research. Get to know your object’s history and provenance. A fine example of excellence in art deco ceramic design is the mesmerising Jazz tea service manufactured by Royal Winton in 1930. Pictured here, it epitomises the Jazz Age and the design is truly imaginative. This Jazz tea set reminds us of the post WWI period in Britain and Europe when jazz was king. You can still find some of these and similar period pieces on Ebay or any number of antiques websites. If you find one, go for it. Place it safely as a display piece in your home. As you learn more about art deco style, you will recognise these symmetrical lines, colours and designs in paintings, architecture, film and photography and in the decorative arts of the period.

You can learn a lot about British history while researching arts and antiques in different periods. Interested in learning about the British Empire? Then look closely at the remarkable octagonal plate pictured here. It is literally a history lesson. Study the details on this unique plate depicting the British Empire. A dealer found it at an antiques fair in 2008 and sold it to the British Museum. The plate commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. Details on plate’s design contain a wealth of information: it is an octagonal earthenware plate, transfer printed and hand coloured with designs commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. In the centre, there are portraits of Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales flanking Britannia surrounded by the lion of Britain, an overflowing basket of fruit and figures from the different colonies, above a scroll inscribed ‘UBI VIRTUS IBI VICTORIA’. Below are two globes labelled ‘THE BRITISH EMPIRE COLOURED RED IN MAP’, surmounted by a clock face with the time difference in each colony and the inscription round the edge ‘THE EMPIRE ON WHICH THE SUN NEVER SETS’. Fascinating

Octagonal plate commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

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information about Imports, Exports and total population of the Empire are included. The hunt for unique objects is endless even addictive. The more we look, the more we learn about period design and function. Furnishing domestic interiors is the most common starting point. With our home in mind, typically a ‘must-have’ shopping list gradually emerges. The process usually begins when we decide what antiques would suit our homes. The list is endless: collectible lamps, carpets, crockery, mirrors, furniture and even wallpapers. Every item reflects the period in which it was made. Late 19th century Arts and Crafts designs embody a craftsman-like use of materials. Ever popular, they continue to enjoy wide appeal. A few examples pictured here would suit most homes. Mirrors are both decorative and practical. Seen here is an elegant large mirror C1905, decorated with stylised heart shaped foliage. It can be hung either in a landscape or portrait position. And good lighting is essential. This classic Arts and Crafts dome top lantern in heavy gauge brass C1910, is a stunning example of the perfect hall fixture. Look for examples of original Arts and Crafts furnishings at ‘Art Furniture’, dealers in arts and crafts. ‘Art Furniture’ is well-established and an excellent source for acquiring original period furnishings. https://www.artfurniture.co.uk/. www.antiques-atlas.com Collectors may be also attracted to a wide variety of early 20th century crockery. Cobalt blue designs on plates and sets of dishes are widely available in fairs and online. Costing from pennies to pounds, these dishes can be found where you least expect. Check out your local charity shops, online sites like Ebay or individual dealers. They are highly suited as display pieces in your kitchen, hung on walls, and can be collected in multiples for serving your meals (plates pictured here). Especially fascinating are the variety of platters and serving dishes. Buy a diverse array of them. Mix and match collections are definitely ‘in’.

Tiffany table lamp

Cobalt blue designs on plates.

Classic Arts and Crafts dome top lantern in heavy gauge brass C1910.

Expand your collecting interests to appreciate important historical designers. An outstanding example are the famous Tiffany stained glass lamps and windows featured in museum collections and found in online auctions. Reproductions of Tiffany lamps are available at affordable prices and really do spruce up an interior. Do not forget period wallpapers. One of the most enduring series of historic wallpaper designs is the William Morris collection. Hand-blocked or machine made, they help to set the scene in most interiors. You might even consider researching textiles and tiles with Morris patterns. The marketplace is bursting with all manner of Morris memorabilia - tablecloths, oven napkins - the list is endless. Pictured here is the beautiful and popular Morris pattern, Honeysuckle from 1883. It is as fresh today as it was over 100 years ago. Your initial collecting habits may have begun with holiday souvenirs like a fabulous scarf from your trip to India or a special piece of jewellery from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. These spur-of-the-moment purchases are enduring reminders of leisurely trips abroad. But more serious knowledge is required as you add to your ‘cabinet of curiosities’. As the years pass, your ‘cabinet’

The beautiful and popular Morris pattern, Honeysuckle from 1883.

will contain more than a collection. It will house your own unique taste and reflect your lifestyle. It can be summed up in the following words: ‘...have no regrets about what you have bought but plenty of regrets about what you didn’t buy’. Make decisions based on what you truly fall in love with.

Elegant large mirror C1905, decorated with stylised heart shaped foliage.

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Images courtesy of Abby Cronin & www.artfurniture.co.uk Tiffany Table lamp Courtesy Wikimedia Commons Get in Touch: Contact: Abby Cronin Email: artsjournalist@abbycronin.co.uk Website: abbycronin.co.uk

BUYING AND SELLING JEWELLERY AT AUCTION

BUYING AND SELLING JEWELLERY AT AUCTION The glamour of the London auction world was a very far-off place when I was growing up in the suburbs of Kansas City during the 1980s. The art world has changed for the better since then. Clients looking to sell have access to the top jewellery specialists in the world. The valuation process can start with a photograph and an email. With auction houses offering their own online bidding platforms, clients from Shanghai to St. Louis, Missouri can be part of the same auction. After spending 15 years working for auction houses in London, here are my top five tips for navigating buying and selling at auction:

SELLING JEWELLERY AT AUCTION

Selling at auction gives you transparency and peace of mind. On the day of the auction, the auctioneer is obliged to achieve the best price for the seller, and the fairest price for the buyer. When selling at auction, you can watch your pieces realise their fair market value.

1. Have Your Jewellery Valued - At Auction Estimates

You may already have an up-to-date insurance valuation, but if you are considering paring down your jewellery collection, it is time for a valuation at current A glass, enamel and diamond bracelet (part of a suite including a brooch and earrings), by Lalique, Circa 1905-10 Sold, Lyon & Turnbull, London, 22 October 2020, lot 7, realised £26,250 (incl. premium)

auction estimates. Auction valuations differ from insurance valuations. Insurance valuations account for replacing the piece at retail price, or perhaps having a replacement made. An auction valuation will give you an idea of what the piece may fetch at auction in the current market. Many auction houses will provide this service free of charge, with no obligation. A jewellery specialist may be able to give you a provisional estimate based on photographs. Once the specialist sees the pieces in person, together with any reports, certifications, provenance, or previous valuations, he or she will confirm the auction estimate.

2. Select The Right Auction

There is a range of specialist auctions throughout the year. Some auctions will cater to specific clients or have larger budgets for advertising and marketing. The auction specialist will advise you on the best auction to attract the most interest and achieve the best result possible for you.

3. Gemmological Reports And Certifications

For some gems (and diamonds over a certain threshold), it is important to have a certification stating the stone is natural and untreated. Sometimes a certification

will specify where the gem is from. If your jewellery requires certification, the auction specialist may take care of this process for you. The cost of the certification would be discussed in advance, confirmed, then deducted from eventual sale proceeds. Not all gemmological laboratories have the same standards, so the specialist will choose a well-respected laboratory. The market value depends on the bidders having confidence in what they are buying. For example, the initial estimate for a diamondset brooch was in the region of £12-£18,000. After evaluating the stones in person, the estimate was increased to £20,000 – £30,000 and the stones were sent to to a laboratory for certification. The brooch fetched £33,750 at auction in November 2019 - over twice the low estimate.

4. Research And Provenance

Once the jewel is consigned for sale, specialists will inspect it further and write a full catalogue description. The description will reference any signatures or stamps, certifications, and provenance. The designer of a piece and its story can substantially increase the value achieved at auction, for example, last October Lyon & Turnbull sold a glass, enamel and diamond bracelet brooch and earring suite that fetched £26,250. The suite of jewellery was by the famed Art Nouveau designer René Lalique. The suite had never before been on the open market and descended through the family of Mrs. Florence Evelyn St George (1870- 1936), one of the most celebrated and talked about socialites of her time. The highly collectable maker combined with freshness to the market and alluring provenance made this suite irresistible to buyers.

5. Auction Day

Once the catalogue is prepared, the auction is marketed to clients internationally. Your auction house specialist will be working hard behind the scenes, calling collectors, dealers, and private clients to discuss the lots and point out pieces of interest. On the day of the auction, it can be entertaining to watch the drama unfold. You can attend the sale in person, or watch it live online. There is nothing more exciting than watching gorgeous jewels fly off to new buyers all over the world. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM

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4. Register

A Diamond Bar Brooch Sold, Lyon & Turnbull, London, 21 November 2019, lot 17, realised £33,750 (incl. premium)

BUYING JEWELLERY AT AUCTION

Purchasing jewellery at auction gives you more for your money compared with buying at retail prices. You also acquire a unique piece with its own history; one that is more likely to retain value over time.

1. Contact Jewellery Specialists

Most jewellery specialists maintain lists of clients with interests in certain things. Wild about owls? Keen on Kunzite? There is a jewel out there for you! Having an auction house specialist keeping an eye out for you could give you an advantage. It may give you the chance to buy jewels privately instead of at auction. A conversation with a jewellery specialist can give you market insights. For example, jewellery from the 1960s and 70s is performing very well in the current

market, specifically pieces by Andrew Grima and John Donald. If you prefer to keep your passions private, you can save key word searches or interests online through aggregate websites (such as the-saleroom. com) or the auction house directly.

2. Viewing

Attending auction viewings can be an entertaining way to spend an hour or so with a friend. Viewing in person is not always feasible. Ask for more images if you are unable to view in person. Ask for any image you think would help areas of damage or wear; a person with your colouring wearing that pair of aquamarine earrings; someone wearing that amethyst ring (ask for the model’s ring size so you have a sense of scale) - you get the idea.

The specialists will prepare condition reports for items prior to the auction. These reports are typically available to download online 3. Request a Condition Report

A fire opal and diamond set pendant/brooch by Andrew Grima Sold, Lyon & Turnbull, 21 November 2019, lot 58, realised £8,750 (incl. premium)

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The specialists will prepare condition reports for items prior to the auction. These reports are typically available to download online. If there is anything concerning you, or you would like more information, just ask. A condition report is a helpful document to keep with your purchase invoice. It can provide insight on old repairs to restorers or give unique identifying details about an item if it is lost or stolen.

All clients need to register to bid before the auction; and it is a good idea to allow plenty of time to register to secure your bids. Prior to placing a bid, be sure to read the conditions of sale. Find out how much buyer’s premium is payable and if there are any other charges (such as VAT or import taxes). If you are bidding through a third party (such as a dealer or an auction aggregate website) there may be a service fee. If you buy online, keep in mind that some auction houses may ship the item for you, but others may only release your purchase to an approved fine art shipper.

5. Bid

Bidding in an auction is an exhilarating experience! Bidding in person is more than just exciting; it can also give you an edge. A client bidding in the room can see if the auctioneer is taking bids from the telephone, internet or from her auctioneer’s book. This can give a better picture of the interest on the lot. If you are the winning bidder, you are usually able to pay and collect the jewellery that day, avoiding shipping costs. If you still want to be part of the action, but cannot attend in person, a telephone bid is a great second choice. Most auction houses also offer online bidding now as standard. Bidding directly with the auction house can help avoid extra fees. If you prefer to set a strict limit for yourself, an absentee bid is the way to go. With this option, you decide the maximum amount you are willing to bid; hopefully, you get it for less. Your bid is entered on the auctioneer’s book and is executed by the auctioneer. Remember that bidding in the sale is a contract between you and the auction house. Kate Flitcroft E: Kate.Flitcroft@lyonandturnbull.com

TRAVEL

TRAVEL San Sebastian

By Susan Irving Monshaw Tourist destinations in Spain are known for so many things that you won’t find in San Sebastian: no crazy crowds of young people celebrating their last flings before marriage, and no thumping night clubs. It is an exquisite corner of the country, just 12 miles from the French border in the famously independent Basque region, known for its delicious cuisine, warm people and fascinating history. There is something magical about San Sebastian. You can hear children playing on the beach, someone strumming a guitar, and seagulls calling the day forth from your sea-view window at the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra in San Sebastian, Spain. Your view of La Concha Bay sweeps to the right encompassing the city’s Old Town, the waterfront promenade at your feet winds to the left where the imposing Art Deco La Perla Spa marks the beginning of the city’s more contemporary quarter. Directly in front of you floats the picturesque and mysterious Santa

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Clara Island. A small ferry bobs a path to the uninhabited island from the solid port wall, one of the last remaining suggestions that San Sebastian was once a fortified city. Inhale a soft, salty breeze tinged with a hint of the delightful breakfast waiting for you in the hotel dining room including classic potato tortillas, rich coffee, and milk-pastries topped with crunchy sugar. It’s not an easy trip, but worth the effort. First, you must fly into Bilbao, a charming but gritty city, home to one of the most stunning museums in the world. No matter how you feel about modern art, you must visit the famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Designed by Canadian/ American architect Frank Ghery and opened in 1997, the building itself is the most beautiful and breathtaking piece of art on the site. Featuring huge outdoor installations including a giant metal spider, entitled “Maman,” and the highly recognisable balloon animal sculptures of Jeff Koons, the collection is easily visited in

a few hours, then you are free to move on to the coastal town of Getaria for a right-out-of-thewater seafood lunch. Travelling along the winding road skirting the Bay of Biscay, you are treated to wide, open ocean views where the verdant and rocky hills drop right down to the waves. Midway between Bilbao and San Sebastian, Getaria is home to the Elkano winery where they make the famous Basque white, txakoli. Deliciously crisp, easy to drink and very moderately priced, this artisan wine has been produced by the family-owned vineyard since 1830. The vines do not grow low to the ground, but are trained into an overhead canopy, with hanging grapes creating a shady, green parasol with sun-shot blue sky and sparkling azure water in the background. The massive vines cling to the steep, chalky hillside, making it easy to imagine the impressive physical challenge it must be to collect all of those grapes at harvest time.

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Plan to arrive in San Sebastian in time for a cocktail hour pinxtos tour. Similar to the tapas found elsewhere in Spain, pinxtos (pronounced peen-chos) are the expressly Basque way to enjoy delightful, little food creations along with a glass of local wine or cider. Comprised of sheeps’ milk cheese or the famous Iberico ham on rounds of bread, grilled shrimp captured on a toothpick (the name pinxtos comes from the Basque word for spike), fried croquettes filled with ham and cheese, marinated vegetables, and all manner of hot peppers, sweet peppers and tomatoes are just a few of the mouthwatering combinations you’ll find. Sometimes you help yourself to the platters of prepared pinxtos on display, in others you order what you want. These savoury delights are consumed standing at tall tables, so it’s easy to visit many bars to sample the huge variety of which the Basques are so proud, and San Sebastian is said to have the best. It is a singular experience to enjoy your pinxtos, sharing the space with friendly locals who don’t mind your faltering Spanish and are happy to practice their English. Food is very important here, and a great way to know Basque cuisine intimately is to take a cooking class at one of the many gastronomic clubs in the city. Originally designed for men only, the clubs usually feature large, commercially outfitted kitchens, spacious dining rooms and communal supplies, shared equally among the members. You can only enter one of these clubs if invited by a member, and nowadays there are women members too. Our host told us that these places sprang up in the middle of the 19th century in response to the men in the household needing a place to enjoy cooking and camaraderie away from their domineering womenfolk at home. Our visit featured the creation of a gorgeous paella and delightful local almond cake, served by a few male members of the club who were happy to join us at the table and share stories of their long-standing membership and friendship. A highly recommended walking tour of the Old Town will take you to Constitution Plaza, a colourful square that served as City Hall until the 1940s, and today offers unique shops and restaurants. Numbers over the doorways lining the square date back to when this space served as a bullfighting ring and those rooms were used as luxury viewing spots for the rich and famous of the time. You will see the Baroque Basilica de Santa Maria which dominates the central Calle Mayor from the square which is exceptionally beautiful at night. Shop your way back to the waterfront. All along the narrow, winding streets you’ll find adorable places to buy exquisite hats, jewellery, pottery, art, clothing and shoes, all at very reasonable, un-European prices. 28

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Emerging at the intersection of the newer part of the city and the Old Town district, you’ll find the charming Alderdi Eder Park. Adjacent to this lovely antique green space lined with flowering plants, is the home of the present-day City Hall, housed in a magnificent 1887 building. Originally built as a casino for the Belle Epoque elite and aristocracy, this structure was once filled with political refugees and the famous German spy Mata Hari during World War I. Bullet holes remain on the façade today, a reminder of the Spanish Civil War which took place from 1936 to 1939. This was the conflict between the Nationalists and the Republicans and heralded Francisco Franco’s rise to power which he held until his death in 1975. As the sun descends, couples stroll the Concha promenade, replacing the laughing children at the beach. Lights begin to twinkle along the bay, you can hear that guitar player on the boardwalk but the seagulls have gone, leaving only the soft evening breeze as accompaniment.

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THE STATE OF GHOSTWRITING By Sarah Zimmerman Lockdown, while clearly devastating for so many businesses, has in fact been good for the book industry. According to Publisher’s Weekly, in the adult books segment in 2020, sales of both print and digital formats rose. Hardcover sales were up 18.9% over 2019. The industry’s good fortune has also extended to ghostwriters and those who work with them. “I’ve never been busier”, says Madeleine Morel, a Brit whose highly-regarded New York City agency, 2M Communications Ltd., exclusively represents ghostwriters. The reasons for the booming business are twofold, says Morel. “All these people who didn’t have time to get their books written before now have time…to reflect on what they want to say, initiate the search for a writer, and do the extensive interviewing necessary”. Morel also cites increased demand from the book-reading public: business is booming due to the fact that more and more people are reading during lockdown. “There are only so many hours in a day one can binge-watch TV!” she says. Morel also notices an increase in ghostwriters signing contracts to write individual or family histories. This could be due to the pandemic making people much more aware of their mortality. “More and more we are seeing people want to leave their mark in the world”, she says. David O’Neil, head of Massachusettsbased Story Trust, can attest to the increasing interest in personal biography and family histories. Although his company also creates oral histories, documentary videos, and business histories, many of his clients are adult children wanting to ensure that their elderly parents’ stories are recorded for future generations. O’Neil began Story Trust out of a sense of regret. He had always intended to record his mother’s stories, but waited too long to do so (something that he says happens distressingly frequently). He was in his early 40s when his mother passed away unexpectedly. So when the opportunity to record his father-in-law’s stories arose, he jumped at the chance. He enjoyed the process so much he turned it into a business. Today, this former English and history teacher ’s business model has evolved from mostly oral recordings (he confesses to being an NPR junkie and huge fan of Ira Glass and This American Life) to 80% books and 20% oral recordings. 30

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“One thing I’ve learned from the older people I interview is that they all share traits of optimism, resilience, and curiosity. I draw a lot of wisdom and life lessons from the people I interview”, he says. In the best cases, the interviewing process “provides opportunities for self-reflection” for his clients (whom he prefers to call “narrators” whether it is an oral or written history). “It’s not only getting the facts down”, says O’Neil, “but honouring their story. Oftentimes people come away with a new understanding of themselves”.

Oftentimes people come away with a new understanding of themselves Trust is absolutely necessary to a successful working relationship with a client – whether you are creating a family history, a memoir or any type of writing, says UK ghostwriter Andrew Crofts. “If you are interviewing and hiring a ghostwriter, one of the main things you have to do is to make sure you get on. You have to trust them as you would a doctor. You’ve got to feel that you want to spend time with this person. It’s all about the chemistry”. Having ghostwritten over 100 books, Crofts knows what he is talking about. He has sold millions of copies of his work in a four-decade career. After doing speechwriting, PR writing and journalism, he started ghostwriting in earnest in the 80’s. A natural marketer, he placed an ad for his ghostwriting services in The Bookseller. The rest is history, albeit secret history due to ghostwriters’ need to keep absolute confidentiality about the identity of their clients. Crofts’ success, however, has made him one of the handful of ghostwriters whose name is well known. In addition to his ghostwriting work, Crofts has written a ‘soup-to-nuts’ book on ghostwriting for those who are interested in becoming one

(by publisher A&C Black). It didn’t hurt his profile that his book on ghostwriting was quoted throughout Robert Harris’s bestseller The Ghost. Crofts, who also writes fiction (based on – what else? – a ghostwriter), has collaborated on numerous family histories. “Earlier in my career, I was always dependent on selling it to a publisher for a significant amount of money, but it’s only in the last 10-15 years that I work with people who have the money to commission the book themselves”. He is a big fan of hybrid publishing, citing companies such as Matador and RedDoor as reputable publishers that give clients differing degrees of control over the process. Madeleine Morel too, says that the barriers to publishing a book have been transformed by the rise of self-publishing and hybrid publishing. “It’s no longer looked down upon”, she says. Dan Gerstein, head of NYC -based Gotham Ghostwriters, says a good 50% of his client base is currently pursuing nontraditional publishing – especially clients who are accustomed to moving at the speed of the internet who want to get their book to market faster than the typical 12-16 months it might take a traditional publisher. Gerstein applauds all the new options clients have - what he calls “the democratisation” of storytelling. “There are many more opportunities for diverse voices to be published and heard now”, he says. “More women, more people of colour, more LGBT voices”. He believes traditional publishers will have to streamline their publication process and get faster, and more data-driven to continue to compete. Especially for authors who have large platforms, or who want to capture more salles revenue, “an elite hybrid publisher is often a better solution”. None of this changes the fact, however, that finding the right match between writer and client is critical. “As much as resumé and skills and creativity, what matters even more is the relationship between the writer and the client and the trust that goes into it”, Gerstein said. Writing styles, the ability of a ghostwriter to capture the client’s “voice” and areas of expertise must match. “Stylistically, you can be a great writer, but if you want someone who writes like The Economist and you hire someone who’s more of a National Lampoon writer, you’ll be frustrated”, he says.

GHOSTWRITING Gerstein’s stable of more than 2600 writers specialise in all different kinds of books. He and his team essentially perform a customised search for each client, creating a much smaller pool of qualified writers which his clients then interview. Unusually, he lets his clients make the final decision as to the writer. What they should be looking for? The elusive and allimportant chemistry. Once the book (or article, or speech – Gotham specialises in all sorts of long-form content) is written, Gotham can help clients figure out the right publishing path (he likes to call his company a publishing ‘sherpa’). For book authors, that might be include either introducing them to agents, deciding whether it is better to directly submit to smaller, independent presses, or pursuing a hybrid publishing option. In another sign of the evolution of the industry, Gerstein notes that many accomplished name-brand authors are now doing ghostwriting. “They’re realising they can get paid a lot more than they could for selling their own book”. Madeleine Morel, www.2mcommunications.com Andrew Crofts, www.andrewcrofts.com David O’Neil, www.storytrust.com Dan Gerstein, www.gothamghostwriters.com

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Madeleine Morel

David O’Neil

Andrew Crofts

Dan Gerstein

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USEFUL CONTACTS EDUCATION - SCHOOLS TASIS THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN ENGLAND Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey, TW20 8TE Contact: Sarah Travis Telephone: 01932 582316 Email: ukadmissions@tasisengland.org Website www.tasisengland.org The educational pathways TASIS England offers to day (3-18) and boarding (13-18) students include a broad-based American curriculum, AP courses, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and EAL support. Taught in small classes, every student in our diverse community from 50 nations is encouraged to reach their academic potential. Participation in co-curricular activities, the arts, athletics, and leadership programs provides balance, fosters curiosity, and develops Individual talents. With excellent exam results and one-to-one college counseling, 97% of TASIS graduates gain acceptance to their first- or secondchoice university in the US, the UK, and worldwide. Extensive summer opportunities are also offered to students from all schools. Located close to London on a beautiful and historic 46-acre estate.

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TAXATION

BUZZACOTT LLP 130 Wood Street, London, EC2V 6DL Contact: Carlo Gray, Partner - Expatriate Tax Services team Telephone: +44 (0)20 7556 1200 Email: enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk Website: www.buzzacott.co.uk Buzzacott is a top 20 UK accountancy firm in London, with a team in Hong Kong. For more than 50 years, our dual-qualified US/UK tax experts have helped individuals, companies, partnerships and trusts to comply with ever32

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increasing tax regulations and minimise their tax liabilities. We specialise in preparing US/UK tax returns and providing bespoke advice tailored to individual circumstances. Rely on us for exceptional service with empathy and authenticity. EXPAT LEGAL SERVICES GROUP Website: Expatlegal.com Telephone: 1.888.502.8579 Contact: Roland Sabates Email: roland@expatlegal.com Expat Legal Services Group, with its background in international taxation, offers unique legal services for American expatriates and foreign nationals with financial interests in the United States. We leverage a suite of modern technology solutions that enable us to bring our international expertise directly to you no matter where in the world you might be living. TAX AND ACCOUNTING HUB Hallings Wharf Studio Office, 1A Cam Road, London, E15 2SY Telephone: +44 (0)208 221 1154 and +44(0)7914393183 Email: Kader@taxandaccountinghub.com Contact: Kader Ameen, US Tax & ITIN/EIN Specialist Website: www.taxandaccountinghub.com Website: www.itincaa.com We are UK based American expatriate personal tax and ITIN (IRS approved CAA) specialist service team with many years of big 4 US/UK tax experience (FATCA, Tax Treaty, 1040 tax return, UK tax return, ITIN, Foreign Bank Account PFIC Reporting, US/ UK Tax treaty claims). Our team aims to provide personalised professional service at affordable fixed fees. US TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 Harbour Exchange Square, London, E14 9GE Telephone: +44 20 7357 8220 Contact: Joni Trulock Email: j.trulock@ustaxfs.com Website: ustaxfs.com Twitter: @ustaxfs With over 30 years’ experience, our US/UK expat tax specialists provide US and UK tax return preparation, planning, compliance, and expatriation as well as all US business tax services, wherever you are in the world.

The core of our expertise at London & Capital is managing investments for wealthy families and our clients generally share similar requirements; they have amassed wealth or capital and now need it to be structured and invested in a way that preserves and grows it for the future. We build investment strategies that are designed to be resilient and help clients achieve their long-term financial goals. Many of our clients are international, with finances, business interests, property and family across multiple countries. We provide clear comprehensive financial strategies and global reporting regardless of currency or location. US CONNECTED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS We are also one of the few wealth managers who actively welcome US clients and are both SEC (US) and FCA (UK) regulated, with a dedicated team looking after the wealth of international American families since 1989. Whether you are a US Citizen or Green Card holder living abroad, a British expat in the US or a foreign entity with US reporting, we are uniquely positioned to work you to organise your wealth into a coherent global strategy, invest with a focus on capital preservation and provide clear, concise global reporting. MASECO PRIVATE WEALTH Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London, WC2R 0HS Telephone: +44 (0)20 7043 0455 Email: enquiries@masecopw.com Website: www.masecoprivatewealth.com MASECO Private Wealth gives peace of mind by providing expert guidance to US families on how to simplify their cross-border wealth management needs. We serve and care for Americans living at home or abroad through the planning and implementation of rational, practical and tax efficient wealth management strategies.

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AMERICAN IN BRITAIN

American in Britain Spring 2021

Articles inside

THE STATE OF GHOSTWRITING

Useful Numbers

Intelligent Weight Loss

American Expatriate Clubs News

Theatre

Charity Begins At Home

Eating In

Reader’s Lives

Tax Matters

Ways To Be Creative In Lockdown

Legal Issues

Travel - Slovenia

Wealth Management

Travel - Cornwall