Private Client Services

We establish and act as Trustees to many different forms of Trust, utilising Trust laws from around the world.

We are completely independent and do not provide investment, banking or custody services which ensures that we have no conflicts of interest. This allows us to focus on what is best for Trust beneficiaries.

We aim to provide a pro-active, high class service and we encourage regular face to face meetings with settlors, beneficiaries, protectors and advisors to ensure that we understand and meet every possible planning need of our clients.

We are happy to establish and provide services to Private Trust Companies (“PTC”).

A PTC will typically act as the Trustee of one or more family Trusts and the board of the PTC will consist of various parties. These can be investment professionals and trusted advisors and crucially, can also include the Settlor and/or family members. When implemented with care and diligence the inclusion of such parties on the board of the PTC can often help to allay any concerns that the Settlor may have about the administration of their assets without creating any complicated cross border taxation problems.

In Guernsey it is possible for a PTC to apply for an exemption from licensing providing that certain conditions are met, one of which is the appointment of a local licensed Fiduciary to the board of the PTC.

Foundations historically were used as an alternative to a trust in civil law jurisdictions due to civil law having no mechanism for splitting the legal and beneficial ownership of assets. Today they are often favoured by clients in jurisdictions that do not recognise the existence of Trusts under the Hague convention.

A foundation is an orphan structure in that there is no discernible ownership of a foundation and this creates planning opportunities which are similar to those afforded by Trusts.

Foundations can be incorporated in most International Finance Centres and Guernsey has a highly regarded, modern Foundations law.

BOW are able to form, administer and act as council members for Foundations in many different jurisdictions.

We partner with, and provide Fiduciary services to Family Offices, whether having a European base or headquartered elsewhere.

Fiduciary structuring is often a vital component in planning arrangements established by wealthy families with cross border interests and the need to carefully devolve assets to future generations. BOW is very pleased to offer full fiduciary and corporate solutions to organisations who may not have a footprint in the Channel Islands, or which may not have the relevant regulatory licenses to undertake these functions.

BOW understands that lack of conflict is absolutely vital in these situations and our independence allows us to work closely with the Family Office and their chosen advisors to create a holistic solution for their clients.

Due to its tax neutrality, its international reputation and the quality of its regulatory and legal system, Guernsey is an ideal jurisdiction in which to establish structures which have a philanthropic purpose.

When properly structured the neutral tax rate allows assets which have been gifted and set aside for philanthropic purposes to grow without the capital or income being double taxed or subject to capital or income taxes in the jurisdiction that it is located.

We are delighted to act for clients who have established philanthropic structures and we have experience establishing Trusts and Foundations which have charitable purposes.