Succession planning specialist joins region’s largest law firm

New senior appointment offers a boost to succession planning support for business owners and their families

Wilkin Chapman, the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, welcomes a new partner, Paul Horton.

Paul, a succession planning specialist and Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) member, joins the firm’s well-regarded wills, estates, tax & trusts team in Lincoln and will advise on a range of services including setting up wills, lifetime trusts, family investment companies, Lasting Power of Attorney and cross-option shareholder planning.

As a trustee on a number of trusts nationally, Paul will undertake vital work in the region, particularly focusing on engaging with agricultural clients. With agriculture being one of the largest sectors in Lincolnshire, Paul’s particular experience in this area aligns very well with the firm’s agriculture sector offering.

Paul Horton, Wills, estates, tax & trusts partner at Wilkin Chapman, said:

“Succession planning is a critical concern for business continuity in the agricultural sector, especially with a recent survey from the NFU confirming that 52% of British farmers don’t have a formal policy in place.

“This is something I’ve seen a surge of interest in post-Covid, with people being more aware of the need to ensure their businesses are safeguarded should the worst happen.

“I have a wealth of experience advising high-net-worth clients from many sectors and I

am excited to further hone these skills, whilst serving businesses in the local community with

a team that is growing, developing, motivated and collaborative.”

Lucy Butterfint, partner and head of Wills, estates, & trusts at Wilkin Chapman, said:

“Paul is an excellent addition to our growing team throughout Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. His status as an internationally recognised STEP member is a clear indicator of his indelible drive and attention to detail, which I’m certain he’ll put to good use advising a variety of clients throughout the region.”

For local businesses that require the attention and expertise of an experienced specialist who understands their business and what succession planning will look like, Paul is a keen addition to the firm’s growing team and expanding expertise. In his position as partner, he will collaborate closely with the corporate and commercial, real estate and family teams and will be visiting both established and new clients alongside them to provide ideas and solutions to their succession planning to encourage and motivate them to organise their business matters.

Paul added: “I especially enjoy working in the Lincolnshire market and Wilkin Chapman has an excellent reputation in the agricultural sector in particular, which makes my appointment an ideal fit.”

He has over 24 years of experience in law and joins Wilkin Chapman having spent the last the last few years working in a large national practice. Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and became a member of STEP in 2007.

To learn more about Wilkin Chapman’s Wills, estates, tax & trusts team and its range of legal services, visit wilkinchapman.co.uk.