Ellisons has expanded its Private Client team in Bury St Edmunds with the appointments of Senior Associate Keri Rowan and Associate Courtney Searle, strengthening the firm’s support for its established private client base in Bury St Edmunds and across Suffolk.
The appointments come at a time of significant change in estate and succession planning, including forthcoming changes to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions, which are prompting individuals and families to consider how their wealth and estates are structured.
Keri joins with almost 10 years’ post-qualification experience advising on wills and estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts and probate matters. She has particular experience working with high-net-worth clients and those with international interests, including clients and estate beneficiaries with assets in multiple countries. A full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Keri holds a STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross Border Estates and was named an ‘Associate to Watch’ in the 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide.
Keri said: “No two families or estates are the same, and that is particularly true when there are businesses, significant assets or connections with different countries involved. What matters to me is getting to know the person behind the paperwork, understanding what they want to achieve and making what can be a complicated process feel manageable.”
Courtney joins as an Associate, advising on wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, estate administration, inheritance tax and succession planning. She has worked in the Private Client sector since 2014, qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2021 before cross-qualifying as a solicitor in 2023. Having grown up in Suffolk, Courtney also brings a strong connection to the county and is focused on developing long-term relationships with clients locally.
Courtney said: “Growing up in Suffolk means there is something particularly rewarding about advising people and families here. Private client work often comes at important points in people’s lives, sometimes when they are dealing with very difficult circumstances, and I want clients to feel they have someone they know and trust who will explain things clearly and help them through it.”
Nicola Weldon, Partner and Head of Private Client at Ellisons, said: “We have a significant private client base in Bury St Edmunds and the East of England, and Keri and Courtney’s appointments add further strength and depth to the team supporting those clients. This is also an important time for people to be thinking about their estate and succession plans. Changes to inheritance tax, including the forthcoming treatment of unused pension funds, mean that decisions people may have made some years ago may need to be looked at again. Keri brings considerable experience in complex estates and cross-border matters, while Courtney has more than a decade of private client experience as well as strong roots in Suffolk. Together, they strengthen our ability to provide specialist advice locally as clients navigate an increasingly complex area.”
Ellisons’ Private Client team advises individuals and families on all aspects of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney, including inheritance tax planning, wealth preservation and complex estates.