Matthew Braithwaite

Matthew’s practice is broad and reflects the depth and diversity of his professional background. He acts for a wide range of UK-based and international high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, including entrepreneurs, business owners, senior executives, trustees, family offices and offshore trust companies. His clients include both individuals and families, often spanning multiple generations and jurisdictions.

Matthew provides strategic advice on both the legal and tax aspects of succession and estate planning, including the drafting of wills, the creation and administration of trusts and the use of bespoke wealth-holding structures.

He has a particular interest in the intergenerational transfer of family wealth, especially within family businesses, and advises on family governance frameworks and responsible wealth stewardship to help families preserve and grow their wealth in a sustainable and values-driven manner.

Matthew previously worked in the accountancy sector as a senior tax manager specialising in Inheritance Tax planning, advising high net worth individuals and families on complex tax matters and wealth structuring.

• Advising a second-generation member of a prominent family business on the design and implementation of a bespoke family governance framework aimed at preserving family harmony, ensuring business continuity and preparing the next generation for leadership and stewardship responsibilities.
• Providing strategic cross-border advice to offshore trustees managing a complex, multi-jurisdictional trust structure, addressing legal, tax and compliance considerations across several key international financial centres.
• Acting for the principals of one of the UK’s fastest-growing family-owned enterprises, advising on the succession planning for both the business and their wider private wealth, including intergenerational wealth transfer, governance and asset protection strategies.
• Representing the partner of a high-profile UK entrepreneur, delivering tailored estate planning solutions to safeguard her personal wealth and ensure alignment with broader family succession objectives.
• Assisting a US-connected individual with substantial UK interests in developing a cross-border estate plan, including the drafting of an English law will incorporating provisions to address US estate and gift tax exposure, ensuring compliance and tax efficiency.
• Advising an offshore trust company on the UK Inheritance Tax implications of a trust structure holding significant UK business assets, including the application of business property relief and long-term structuring options to mitigate exposure.

• Co-authoring a chapter for the latest edition of the Business Families and Family Businesses Handbook published by Global Law and Business Ltd and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) titled ‘Understanding the Wealth Holder Spectrum’.
• Contributing to STEP’s Responsible Wealth Stewardship toolkit for practitioners designed to integrate sustainability into wealth planning.

Matthew is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and takes an active role in shaping the future of the profession. He currently serves on the Responsible Stewardship of Wealth Thought Leadership Group Committee, where he contributes to global discussions on sustainable and purpose-driven wealth planning.

Previously, he held a leadership position as co-chair of STEP’s Business Families Special Interest Group Steering Committee from 2019 to 2022, following five years as a committee member from 2018 to 2023. During this time, he helped drive thought leadership and best practices in advising entrepreneurial and multi-generational family enterprises.

He regularly speaks at leading industry conferences and events hosted by STEP and ThoughtLeaders4 Private Client, both in the UK and internationally. His presentations focus on responsible wealth stewardship, family governance and the evolving role of advisors in a values-led wealth landscape.