Spear's Awards honour legal and philanthropic excellence

At the inaugural Spear's Awards for Law Firm of the Year, Payne Hicks Beach was recognised for its impressive contributions to family law, particularly with cases involving ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1678 and located in New Square since 1770, the firm boasts a distinguished family department led by Nick Manners and Baroness Fiona Shackleton LVO, who is hailed as the standout family lawyer of her generation. Known for her high-profile clientele, including Sir Paul McCartney and King Charles III during his divorce from Princess Diana, Baroness Shackleton has played a pivotal role in the firm's distinguished reputation.

The award highlighted the firm's involvement in significant family law matters within the English court system, notably the Potanina v Potanin and Kroupeeva v Kroupeev cases, both of which attracted significant public attention. The firm is also commended for its proactive approach to supporting clients experiencing mental health issues and family breakdown.

At the same event, H.E. Badr Jafar was honoured with the Spear’s Impact Award in recognition of his extensive efforts in philanthropy. In a black-tie ceremony hosted in London, he made history as the first Middle Eastern/Arab recipient of this award. Jafar, who serves as the UAE's first Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy and CEO of Crescent Enterprises, accepted the award for his commitment to fostering strategic partnerships between philanthropy, business, and government, stating that philanthropy should be treated ‘as capital’ deserving ‘the rigour we apply to every other kind: evidence, patience, and partners.’

As he accepted his accolade, Jafar urged the audience to consider not just ‘what did we give, but what became possible because we gave’, emphasising the value of collaboration between different sectors for creating impactful change. His various initiatives, including the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the University of Cambridge and the Strategic Philanthropy Initiative at NYU Abu Dhabi, further illustrate his dedication to enhancing the effectiveness of giving.

Within the awards ceremony often dubbed ‘the Oscars of the private client world’, other notable winners included representatives from UBS and the new St John's Wood Square residential development overseen by Sir George Iacobescu. Among the standout individuals, Marcus O'Brien was named Spear's Property Broker of the Year for orchestrating record-breaking property deals in London.

The Spear's Awards continue to celebrate high-net-worth individuals and their advisers, with previous winners including high-profile names like Lord Rumi Verjee and Sir Richard Branson. As a leading media brand focused on HNW users, Spear’s champions excellence in both legal and philanthropic fields, proving to be an essential platform for recognizing outstanding contributions to society and the economy.