Spear’s Review

Ceri Vokes, a partner and co-head of the European private client team at Withers, was in September 2025 named the firm’s next CEO. Succeeding Margaret Robertson, she will take up the role in July 2026.

‘The reason I stood [for the position] is because I love the firm, I love everything that it stands for, and I wanted to have the opportunity to take it forward,’ she tells Spear’s. ‘Loyalty to the business, its integrity and its values drives my decision-making.’

Vokes, who has been with the firm since 2006, regularly acts for business owners, HNW individuals and family offices in matters relating to wealth planning, tax-efficient investment structuring and contentious probate disputes. Until she assumes the CEO position, Vokes’s focus will be on ensuring ‘absolute continuity’, and driving growth based on the firm’s strengths. 

‘The one thing that really struck me when I joined Withers – and I think it’s one of the things that makes the firm really special – is we have a terrific culture here,’ she says. ‘It’s that entrepreneurial spirit – I want to ensure we harness and supercharge it.’

As an experienced private client solicitor, Vokes’s intention is to retain part of her practice while serving as CEO to maintain key relationships with clients. ‘There is really no substitute for talking to clients in order to understand how things work and how they can be improved.’

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Power List Profile

Ceri Vokes will assume the role of Withers’ CEO from 1 July 2026. Ceri is a partner in the firm’s private client and tax team and is one of the most well-known UK lawyers representing first-generation wealth creators.

Ceri started her career as a corporate tax lawyer before devoting her energies to private clients. She often represents entrepreneurs, founders, private equity and hedge fund principals and large multi-generational family offices.

Ceri has expertise across the full spectrum of tax and trust planning for UK and international clients, and advises extensively on the use of corporate and partnership holding structures. Clients praise her straightforward explanations of complex advice.