From businesslife.co

Maxine Rawlins, a partner at Ernst & Young, will take on the role of chief executive of Hawksford, in 2014 when the incumbent chief executive, Peter Murley, retires.

A partner at Ernst & Young in Jersey, Mrs Rawlins currently leads the Channel Islands Tax Practice and is Head of EMEA Asset Management Tax. Prior to this, she was chief executive of Maples Finance, an international trust business headquartered in the Cayman Islands. During this time she drove the significant growth of the business, including expansion into six new jurisdictions. Mrs Rawlins was also director of business development and in-house legal counsel at Close Brothers. She is a qualified barrister and Cayman registered attorney.

The current chief executive of Jersey based trust company, Peter MurIey, has held his role at Hawksford since March 2010. He said: ‘The board and I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Maxine to Hawksford. Maxine has enormous experience in our market and is a highly respected and popular leader who will no doubt make a very significant contribution to the future of this business.

‘I have made the personal decision to retire in 2014 after four years at Hawksford, during which time the business has undergone substantial expansion with the support of our investor Dunedin and chairman Philip Taylor. My focus is now on ensuring a seamless transition for our clients and staff.’

David Williams, partner at Dunedin, who sits on Hawksford’s board, commented: ‘We would like to join Peter and the board in welcoming Maxine to Hawksford. She is highly experienced in her field and has successfully led businesses through periods of growth and expansion, which will be very relevant at Hawksford. Our focus remains on increasing client choice by growing our international footprint whilst ensuring the business continues to add value to its global client base to further enhance Hawksford’s market leading position. We look forward to working alongside Maxine to achieve this.

‘We would also like to acknowledge the very significant contribution made by Peter since we backed Hawksford in 2008. Since then the company has gone on to establish itself as the largest independent trust company in the Channel Islands with an international footprint, revenues in excess of £20 million and a headcount of 180 people. This is in no small part down to the excellent leadership that Peter has shown. Peter remains firmly in charge and we know his phenomenal work rate will continue through to 2014. We are delighted that he will be able to ensure a smooth transition to Maxine and we wish him a well deserved retirement.’

Mrs Rawlins added: ‘Hawksford is one of the most progressive and innovative organisations of its kind and I am delighted to be a part of its future and continued success.’

Earlier this year, Hawksford acquired Key Trust, its fourth acquisition since its MBO in October 2008. In the last two years, the business has also completed the acquisitions of Trustcorp Jersey Limited, L-S&S GmbH, a Swiss boutique private wealth law firm and the employee solutions business of Standard Bank Dubai.

The company has also received peer recognition from the industry and was recently crowned Owner-managed Trust Company of the Year 2012/2013 at the STEP Private Client Awards and won the same award in 2010/2011. In 2011 Hawksford was recognised as Trust Company of the Year at the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards and was shortlisted for the same accolade again in 2012.

Hawksford was recognised in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by Private Client Practitioner, as a Top 25 Trust Company in its annual listing. In 2013 it has been named one of the 25 Most Admired Companies by Private Client Practitioner and most recently was awarded ‘Best offshore trust company in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man’ by Wealth Adviser.

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