Saffery Trust has been shortlisted for Trust Company of the Year (midsize firm) and Employer of the Year in the 2025 STEP Private Client Awards. Guernsey Associate Director Simon Ricketts has also been shortlisted in the Rising Star (non-legal) category in its inaugural year.
The recognition follows the firm’s win in the Trust Company of the Year (Midsize Firm) category at last year’s awards, where it was also shortlisted for Employer of the Year. The categories assess a broad range of criteria including excellence in client service, innovation, and employee engagement across the private client industry over the prior year.
The recognition by STEP follows a year in which Saffery Trust saw a 15% growth in revenue, and 10% staff growth across its group of offices.
The firm also secured reaccreditation as a STEP Platinum Employer for the 10th consecutive year, was certified by Great Place to Work Switzerland, and reinforced its position as one of the leading firms for digital assets, becoming the first trustee to partner with crypto bookkeeping firm, Cryptio, as well as blockchain data security firm, Wecan.
In this time Saffery Trust also celebrated 11 promotions across the Group and continued to invest in its Cayman Islands offering with the appointment of Lee Hart as a Director along with two trust officers.
The Rising Star (non-legal) category was introduced this year to broaden the scope in celebrating emerging talent across the wider private client sector, having previously only recognised professionals in the legal industry. It recognises exceptional achievements in client service, professional growth, and a commitment to ethics and client relationships. Simon’s nomination in this category is a significant achievement, and follows his recent inclusion in the 2025 eprivateclient Crown Dependencies NextGen Leaders list.
The Saffery Trust Group was also recently recognised by eprivateclient, winning Trust Company of the Year (Independent) at the 2025 Excellence Awards, having secured the same title in 2024.
STEP Chief Executive Mark Walley said: “The Private Client Awards have, over the last 20 years, become the hallmark of excellence for advisors that help families plan for their future. A highlight of the STEP calendar, these awards give us the opportunity to demonstrate the best in the industry, and admire their resilience, adaptability and innovation.”
Saffery Trust Managing Director Nick Batiste said: “The STEP Private Client Awards are widely recognised as one of the industry’s most prestigious honours, requiring firms and individuals to demonstrate exceptional standards, innovation, and results.”
“We are very grateful to the STEP judges for recognising the progress and success that we have seen as a firm in the past year. To have received nominations across these three categories is a testament to our exceptional team and dedication to client service excellence. Simon’s individual recognition is also incredibly well-deserved, reflecting both his talent and the impact he has made in a relatively short space of time within the industry.”
“These nominations are something the entire Saffery Trust Group can be proud of and reinforces our position as one of the leading private client service providers globally.”
Winners will be announced at the award ceremony on Thursday 18 September 2025.
