Spear’s Review

Rupert Elwes, head of private clients at W1M, looks after a range of international clients who often have trusts, offshore funds, offshore trust structures and international tax considerations.

Also a member of the firm’s management committee, Elwes tells Spear’s that the merger of Waverton Investment Management and London & Capital in 2024 means that he has never been in a better position to manage the wealth and investments of his clients.

According to Elwes, at the top of these clients’ list of priorities is ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth – and they are increasingly taking a more proactive approach.

‘A lot of recent budgetary implications mean that we have seen an expedited move of assets being passed through generations,’ he explains.

Before joining Waverton in 2001, Elwes, who is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, held roles at INVESCO Asset Management and Ely Fund Managers.

Adviser Profile

Rupert is one of W1M’s most experienced portfolio managers. He initially established the offshore proposition at Waverton Investment Management. As a result, he maintains an ongoing passion for providing a service that can handle the more complex requirements of clients with international considerations.

Alongside Rupert’s client work, the last 12 months have seen him expand his role; he now leads the integration of two private client teams. The ultimate objective is to merge two businesses into one integrated, culturally aligned high-performing private client team which both clients and colleagues can be truly proud to be associated with.

This has required redesigning the overarching client proposition, establishing new team structures, reporting lines, compensation model and distribution strategy, and hiring.

Outside of work, Rupert has four children. Consequently, he states that most of his earlier hobbies have become a distant memory. He enjoys spending time with his family and balances his time between being an unpaid taxi driver, counsellor and sports coach. He remains forever indebted to his wife, who puts any of his achievements into perspective.