gunnercooke

The Challenge

Philip Hamilton is a Partner at gunnercooke, specialising in trusts and private client work. Many of his clients are trustees appointed by a family member who have established trusts for relatives with disabilities, often requiring long-term support, careful administration and ongoing tax compliance. In many cases, Philip acts as both advisor and trustee, placing him at the centre of complex, sensitive family arrangements.

For many years, Philip worked alongside a trusted accountant who understood the specific requirements of trust administration. Following that accountant’s retirement, finding the right replacement had proven difficult. A subsequent firm merger created further challenges, with key contacts becoming less accessible and support feeling increasingly remote. Philip needed an accountancy partner who could provide specialist trust expertise, remain consistently available and give him confidence that his clients were receiving accurate, up-to-date advice.

The Solution

Philip was introduced to Ryan Lane through a personal recommendation and quickly found the support he had been looking for. Rather than acting as a distant advisor, Ryan became an accessible and responsive point of contact, providing support across trust accounts, Trust Registration Service (TRS) requirements and wider tax planning matters.

Working primarily with Ryan, Philip is able to draw on Warrener Stewart’s specialist knowledge whenever complex trust or tax issues arise. This enables Philip to focus on supporting clients and managing trusts while relying on expert advice in areas outside his own specialism. Whether dealing with ongoing compliance responsibilities, trust registration matters or planning for the eventual winding up of trusts, Ryan provides practical guidance that helps ensure decisions are made with confidence.

Just as importantly, Philip knows he can readily pick up the phone whenever questions arise. Receiving clear answers and practical solutions without unnecessary delays has made Warrener Stewart a trusted extension of his professional network.

The Result

Today, Warrener Stewart supports six trusts connected to Philip’s client base, with scope for that number to grow further. The relationship provides reassurance for both Philip and the families he advises, ensuring specialist trust and tax matters are handled accurately while reducing the administrative burden placed on trustees.

The partnership has also given Philip confidence to pursue a wider review of the trusts he oversees. One of his key objectives is to work through each to ensure records, registrations and tax matters are fully up to date and that any historical issues are identified before they become problems. Having access to Ryan’s expertise allows him to approach that process with greater certainty.

For Philip, the value extends beyond technical knowledge. Ryan’s positive, solutions-focused attitude and willingness to remain accessible make interactions straightforward and stress-free. As a result, Warrener Stewart has become Philip’s preferred recommendation whenever clients require specialist trust and tax support.

Client's View

“Ryan is always accessible, positive and easy to work with. When issues arise, he focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems, which makes a real difference when supporting complex trust matters.”