A Day in the life of… David King

The past four years since I joined Harrison Clark Rickerbys have flown by. Mergers, new locations, and my recent move to the Thames Valley office, have all been exciting and progressive changes for the firm (and me!).

Even though I live in South Wales and commute over the Severn Bridge into Reading, my commute is quicker than many of my colleagues who live much nearer! Besides the tranquil morning drive, there is no set day for me in terms of routine. It’s one of the many reasons I love my work – each day is varied due to the differing nature of the clients that I work with.

Alongside my role as Deputy Head of the Private Client Team nationally, I head up the teams in the Cardiff and Thames Valley offices. As a newcomer to the TV office, I have been overawed by the size, strength, and diversity of the teams in the office – allowing the firm to provide a one-stop shop for all client needs.

A large part of my day is given over to advising business owners. Alongside my corporate and commercial colleagues, I advise clients to ensure that decisions being made on a corporate footing are aligned with their needs and wishes as individual directors and shareholders’ of their companies.

The work I undertake can include the drafting of wills right through to looking at detailed estate planning measures, to include the creation of lifetime trusts or family investment companies.

If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is to expect the unexpected. I have seen a surge in enquiries from people in the corporate sphere around the application of powers of attorney and how these can assist with the running of a business. In particular, clients are looking for advice around what happens if a key decision maker in a business has lost capacity or is unavailable, for any reason, to make a decision. Whilst a disheartening indictment of the effects of the past two years, it is an important step to take, and I can provide straightforward and sensitive advice on this area.

There has also been an uptake in people enquiring about how they can leave their own legacy following death, or, in some cases during their lifetime. This relates to the altruistic benefits and tax benefits that come with setting up charities or leaving gifts to charity.

My day will also involve regular conversations with non-business owners, advising clients of all ages and from all walks of life who are looking to put their affairs in order. Whether through drafting a will or Lasting Power of Attorney, or following the passing of a loved one, I regularly help with the administration of estates.