The 2025 STEP Private Client Awards, partly sponsored by Evelyn Partners, are now open for entries.

The global awards run by STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) recognise professional achievement each year.

STEP is a global professional membership body for lawyers, accountants, trustees and other practitioners that help families plan for their futures.

This year, 25 categories are open to individuals and firms worldwide until 11 April. The finalists will be announced in June and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 18 September.

Entries are encouraged from all over the world and the whole private client community.

STEP said it has revamped the entry criteria across all categories, providing more opportunity for firms and individuals to showcase their achievements. It has also introduced two new awards, splitting the Boutique Firm of the Year and the Rising Star categories into two – Legal and Non-legal – to recognise talent and excellence across the broad range of private client disciplines, it said.

The judging panel represents STEP’s international and multi-disciplinary membership, with experts from Australia, Barbados, Canada, China, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the US. The sponsors include Evelyn Partners and Katten.

Stella Mitchell-Voisin TEP, chair of the presiding judges, said: “The rigour and impartiality of the STEP judging process underpins the credibility of these awards. Last year, we received a record number of entries.

“Making the shortlist is an achievement in itself, and winning provides unrivalled recognition on a global scale. If you are considering entering, I’d highly recommend you do so.”

Last year Stonehage Fleming’s advice team won two awards, for: Multi-Family Office Team of the Year and Financial Advisor Team of the Year.

Evelyn Partners won the award for Investment Team of the Year.

Mark Walley, STEP’s chief executive, said: “The Private Client Awards have, over the last 20 years, become the hallmark of excellence for advisers that help families plan for their future.

“Beyond celebrating excellence within the industry, the awards raise money for our charity partner. STEP is proud to be working with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the international federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organisation.”

STEP is the global professional association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning. It has more than 21,000 members in 96 countries.

Full details of the awards and how to enter can be found at https://pca.step.org/