Leading by Example

...an active member of the Jersey Trusts Working Party (instrumental in developing Jersey trust law), a regular author of leading legal texts in the field and a frequent speaker at industry events. She has received a string of award wins over the past few years including gold winner of the Woman of the Year – Professional Services Award at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2020.

Kellyann was also part of a select group constituted for the Government's working party on ESG last year - considering how Jersey should position itself when it comes to ESG, working on the trusts legislation and the trust and company codes of practice and put a consultation paper together. She was also invited by Jersey Finance to participate in a select and exclusive round the table meeting, discussing the issues that our finance industry is currently faced with and how we might overcome those issues. She’s also a mother and pioneer of positive change in the workplace, proactively championing diversity. We were very excited to meet up with Kellyann to find out more from this truly inspirational women.

I am a private client lawyer and advise on Jersey succession, trusts and foundations. Being a private client lawyer makes for a diverse role, which is why I enjoy it so much. No one day is the same!

Currently, my days involve meeting private clients and tax advisers, flying to London to meet with clients and their foreign advisers, advising institutional trustees administering trusts, liaising with intermediaries (on island and abroad) and barristers on client matters, accompanying our litigation lawyers to Court, assisting with the negotiation of legal documents, providing expert opinions for foreign firms on trust matters to assist with foreign voluntary tax disclosures. The list goes on – and that’s just the client work!

I’m also a partner at my firm and so I spend time every week in partnership-related meetings, I like to get involved with projects relating to the strategy and growth of the firm.

What is your career highlight. so far?

Much of my work is confidential, so difficult to talk about, but generally it’s those times when I’ve helped a client overcome a truly challenging situation. This is when you know you’re making a difference.

The most rewarding and perhaps motivating thing for me, is knowing that I really am the trusted advisor for many of my clients.

Highlights so far as my career is concerned, would be being recognised as a leader in my field in legal directories and private client publications. When others speak highly of you, you know you’re doing something right! For me, though, I’m less interested in personal accolades than I am knowing that my clients are happy with me. That’s why I do my job.

Why do you champion women in the workplace?

Ultimately diversity at all levels of the firm is a good thing for everyone –colleagues, clients and the communities we work in. The legal industry has become more gender diverse over the years but, as with many professions, there are still fewer women making it to senior positions than men, and even fewer making it to equity partnership who are also mothers.

As a woman, a mother of two young children and a Partner within the firm, this matters to me on both a personal and a professional level.

I strive to be a good role model for my children and also for my female colleagues who are coming up through the ranks (three-quarters of my team are women). I want them to know that it is possible to reach these positions and be a mum, and importantly for me, a mum who is present. Part of the challenge is finding an organisation that will enable, encourage and support you. It’s not easy. It’s far from easy. I’m not sure I know a female leader who is a mum and who doesn’t constantly question whether they have the right balance, but I also know there are mothers out there who would love to work, but think it’s not possible to continue in law after giving birth. That’s a crying shame. We need this to change.

I am lucky to work in a progressive firm that champions diversity and inclusion and recognises people based on merit and talent. We are always looking at better ways to do things to ensure we continue to create a culture where brilliant people are proud to work.

Is there a female who inspires you in business and why?

In all honesty, no. Ironically, if you asked me is there a male who inspires me in business, I’d name a couple! I think, though, this is symptomatic of the majority of my supervising partners and the leaders in the businesses I know well, being male. Over time, I’m sure this will change.

Do you think there is a benefit to being a female in your industry?

This is a difficult question to answer without unintentionally offending somebody! I personally think it’s still easier if you’re male, unfortunately.

I am, though, of the opinion that women can and do think differently to men and diversity of thought is a good thing in life and business.

Clients are at the centre of the work I do, so it is really all about people. Being a trusted advisor means more than just offering legal advice – it’s about building relationships, understanding people’s goals and helping them realise them. Speaking honestly, some of my clients (females included) instruct me, in part, because I’m female!

Thinking about our business, being a woman can make it easier for female staff to share with me some of their struggles and certain health issues in the knowledge that I’ve more than likely experienced similar and yet still progressed within the business. Likewise, I’ve had males confide in me with mental health matters. I think women can sometimes be seen as a little easier to speak to.

I am, though, a genuine advocate of diversity at all levels of any business. Men and women of all backgrounds working together can make a phenomenal partnership.