2025 Fiduciary Risk Forum

Time (BST)

Topic

14:00-14:10

Registration and welcome from the Forum Chair
Chris Usher, Managing Director at the School of International Financial Services

14:10-14:40

Debt, Duty & Downside: Fiduciary Risk in Leveraged Structures
Emma Wood, Head of Debt Structuring & Loan Brokering at Westmead Debt Services

14:40-15:10

Insurance Coverage Pitfalls
Henry Burton, Founder & Director of Sorel Point

15:10-15:20

Refreshment break

15:20-15:50

Investment Oversight & Monitoring
Niall Husbands, Client Director & Consultant at Altair Group

15:50-16:20

Addressing Sustainability Risk for Fiduciaries
Michelle Ryan, Director and Chief Sustainability Officer at True

16:20-16:30

A quick-fire roundup of practical take-aways
Chris Usher, Managing Director at the School of International Financial Services

Chris Usher (Chair)

Managing Director at the School of International Financial Services

Chris is a director at Cavenwell Group, where he works with a diverse range of wealth management professionals, supporting clients ranging from multi-generational High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net worth (UHNW) families to digital entrepreneurs around the world.

Chris also works with private banks, lawyers, accountants, and other financial services professionals to support them and their clients in protecting their wealth through the efficient use of wealth structuring vehicles.

With over 25 years experience in offshore financial services, Chris previously held senior wealth management roles with Barclays Wealth and Santander. During this time, he advised private clients and corporates on a wide range of global investment solutions to meet their often-complex needs. With a deep understanding of geopolitical and economic dynamics, Chris helped clients to navigate the ever-changing international wealth structuring environment, whilst maximising tax efficiency of their position. Additionally, Chris was the Chief Executive of Jersey International Business School and then Managing Director of BPP, specialising in the education of offshore financial services. Chris is a non-executive director at the School of International Financial Services (SIFS), a leading provider of training and education in 15 jurisdictions around the world.

Chris has trained over 6,000 people in qualifications for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) in wealth management and is a well-regarded member of the Institute. He also serves on the committee of the Channel Islands Wealth Managers Association and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Cavenwell Group is an owner-managed, independent and digitally enabled fiduciary business specialised in providing global wealth structuring and administration solutions to entrepreneurs, high-net worth individuals and their families.

Henry Burton

Founder & Director of Sorel Point

Henry Burton is an experienced insurance broker with a background in the Lloyd’s and London insurance markets, specialising in complex and high-value risks. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by trust companies, family offices, and fiduciaries, he founded Sorel Point to provide tailored insurance solutions designed specifically for clients managing substantial wealth and diverse asset portfolios.

Sorel Point delivers bespoke risk advisory and insurance brokerage services, helping fiduciaries and wealth professionals navigate underinsurance risks, complex liability exposures, and specialist asset protection. Henry works closely with TCSPs, wealth managers, and family offices across the Crown Dependencies and beyond, ensuring that their clients’ assets—ranging from high-value real estate and fine art to aviation, yachts, and business interests—are effectively protected.

With a strong focus on insurance governance and fiduciary risk management, Henry is committed to helping professionals optimise coverage, avoid costly pitfalls, and leverage insurance as a strategic tool in wealth preservation and estate planning.

Niall Husbands

Client Director & Consultant at Altair Group

A qualified investment and banking professional, Niall joined Altair in 2024. He has extensive leadership and regulated board experience internationally, holding senior general management positions in wealth management and fiduciary services, and lead substantial wealth management businesses across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for a global bank. Since 2012 he has been based in Jersey and specialised in fiduciary services, notably in the Funds and Private Wealth sectors.  

He specializes in corporate governance and strategy, and works with fiduciaries, family offices and funds (Private Equity and Sovereign Wealth) to help develop and implement effective governance and transactional processes, often being appointed to Boards or Family Committees. 

Niall's priority is on enabling his clients to focus on their core offering. He does this by providing clarity and perspective, helping identify operating frameworks to simplify processes. This typically results in cost efficiencies, and often a revenue opportunity. 

Michelle Ryan

Director and Chief Sustainability Officer at True

With an 18 year career in Private Banking, both in Jersey and London, Michelle has gained significant technical expertise as well as a comprehensive network of industry connections. She has led teams and projects throughout her various roles and latterly headed the business development function for a large Private Bank across the Channel Islands. Michelle started True, a sustainability business, in 2020 and she brings this experience to her role as Director and Chief Sustainability Officer, partnering with corporate clients on their sustainability journeys. 

Emma Wood

Head of Debt Structuring & Loan Brokering at Westmead Debt Services

Emma Wood is Director of Debt Advisory and Loan Brokering at Westmead, a boutique Debt Advisory based in Jersey.

Westmead was created in 2024 to offer an independent, discreet debt advisory service, utilising their knowledge of the market and understanding of the intricacies of financial requirements to structure the most suitable credit solutions for their clients.

With over a decade of experience within the financial services industry across London and Jersey, Emma leads the structuring and execution of debt strategies across a breadth of sectors and jurisdictions, helping clients navigate complex capital raises, debt refinancing, and liability management.

Specialising in Private Credit, Emma is adept at aligning capital structure to strategic objectives, working with fiduciaries, family offices, and high net worth individuals to structure facilities that are commercially optimal for both borrowers and lenders.