One of Nerine’s employees has achieved the joint highest score worldwide in the Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes run by STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Rachael Sanders, in-house legal associate at Nerine Group of Fiduciaries (Guernsey), has more than 12 years’ experience in business and trust law. She began her career in 2002 in Wellington, New Zealand specialising in tax law and accounting and since moving to Guernsey nine years ago has focussed on corporate and commercial law including dealing with various fund structures and more recently trust law.
Rachael is a key member of Nerine’s In house Legal team, advising Nerine’s directors and staff on a broad range of legal matters, including legal developments in the five jurisdictions in which Nerine is based – the British Virgin Islands, Geneva, Guernsey, Hong Kong and India.
Rachael also conducts training sessions with the client administration team, liaises with external lawyers and is responsible for drafting and updating precedent documents.
The STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes is designed to teach candidates to anticipate and avoid the common pitfalls which can lead to trust litigation.
Rachael holds both a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and is also a New Zealand qualified Chartered Accountant (retired).
Nerine executive chairman, Keith Corbin, said: "Rachael’s excellent results are a clear demonstration of commitment to her field; the recognition from STEP is a highly deserved endorsement from the industry. She epitomises the next generation of trust professionals and is a credit to her profession.”
Mrs Sanders said: “When working for a trust company, it is really important to follow a robust process for each client. This course has allowed me to explore certain modules on sham and defective trusts as well as trusts and divorce; it has helped me understand the rationale behind some of Nerine’s policies and procedures - protecting both the client and us. I’ve gained knowledge that has been extremely pertinent to my role.”
Head of employer partnerships for STEP, Jenni Hutchinson, visited Nerine Trust to mark Rachael’s success.
Ms Hutchinson said: “We at STEP commend Rachael on this fantastic achievement. It is testament to the excellent learning and development provision and support offered by Nerine to all of its STEP students and members, recognised by their STEP Platinum Employer Partner accreditation, and not least to Rachael’s own hard work, determination and commitment.”