The Lawyer: Cumberland Ellis and Wedlake Bell prepare for April merger.

Full story: http://www.thelawyer.com/1011201.article

Wealthy women neglecting inheritance planning

Campden FO: high net worth women are concerned about their family’s financial security, but many are still failing to take steps to ensure their wealth passes on to the next generation.

Full story: http://www.campdenfo.com/article/wealthy-women-neglecting-inheritance-planning

Asian HNWIs more optimistic than non-Asians

Private Banker International: three-quarters of Asian entrepreneurs have seen an increase in their wealth over the past 12 months and 84% expect their wealth to further increase in 2012, a marked difference from non-Asian wealthy, new research suggests.

Full story: http://www.vrl-financial-news.com/wealth-management/private-banker-intl/issues/pbi-2012/pbi-280/asian-hnwis-far-more-optimisti.aspx

UK wealth industry manages $3.3trn says study

Private Banker International: high net worth (HNW) private banks in the UK manage an estimated £886bn ($1.39trn), with the wealth management industry in total managing more than £2.1trn in private client assets, new research suggests.

Full story: http://www.vrl-financial-news.com/wealth-management/private-banker-intl/issues/pbi-2012/pbi-280/uk-wealth-industry-manages-3.aspx

New appointment leads KPMG's private client tax arm

Manchester Evening News: accountancy giant KPMG has announced the appointment of director Nick Pheasey to lead its north west private client tax arm. Nick joins from the firm’s Leeds office to replace Mike Walker, who has moved to London to join KPMG’s private client team.

Full story: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/professionals/s/1470417_new-appointment-leads-kpmgs-private-client-tax-arm

Long-term approach paid off for family offices during recession

Campden FO: single family offices in the US and Europe were largely well prepared to ride out the financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent difficult market environment, making very few strategic changes to their asset allocation.

That’s according to new research by American investment advisory firm Cambridge Associates, which surveyed 40 single family offices in the US and Europe in 2011.

Full story: http://www.campdenfo.com/article/long-term-approach-paid-family-offices-during-recession