Ceri Vokes

CEO-elect | London

Email Ceri

VCARD

Client services contact Kirsten Little

Email Kirsten

Ceri co-heads the firm's private client and tax team in Europe.

During Ceri’s almost 25 year career in the City, she has become one of the most well-known lawyers representing first generation wealth creators. During her life before Withers, she practiced as a corporate tax lawyer before devoting her energies exclusively to private clients. As a result, Ceri often represents entrepreneurs, founders, private equity and hedge fund principals and large multi-generational family offices.

Her clients praise her approachable style and straight forward explanations of complex advice. Ceri is a keen problem solver, combining intellectual curiosity and dynamism with energy and vision.

She has expertise across the full spectrum of tax and trust planning for UK and international clients, including US citizens. She also advises extensively on the use of corporate and partnership holding structures for private clients and she has also pioneered certain novel uses and sophisticated planning techniques for offshore insurance bonds. Ceri has expertise in contentious matters, including engagement with HMRC, and in philanthropy.

Listed as a leading individual by Legal 500 and recognised by Chambers, she has a loyal client base, having represented a number of her clients for over 15 years. She has also represented clients in the sports and entertainment industries.

Outside the office, Ceri usually starts her day with an enthusiastic burst of energy on her Peloton.

Recent recognition

Ceri Vokes is extremely knowledgeable but also pragmatic and excellent at problem solving. Her advice is clear and understandable.

Chambers HNW, 2025

Ceri Vokes is amazing. She's one of the go-to thought leaders and a joy to work with.

Chambers HNW, 2025

The sale of Acin to CUBE was highly complex and Withers executed it flawlessly - both for the company and in advising me personally on the transaction. It simply would not have been completed without them. I have been a client for over 10 years and Withers are THE most professional advisory firm I have ever worked with.

Paul Ford, CEO of Acin

She is one of the most collegiate lawyers I've ever come across. She's very bright but has an amazing human and compassionate side to her

Chambers HNW, 2024

Having worked through complex deal processes before I had pretty high expectations for the level of support required from advisors at deal speed. Ceri went over and above the call of duty time and time again to provide commercial advice and balance risks in a fast and rapidly changing process. I can personally say that the level of personal support provided – from complex tax discussions through to even helping fill out forms or house visits to witness documents – was the best I have received.

CFO of business

Exceptional, responsive throughout and really clear on the technical side while under immense pressure to complete the deal in a very short timeframe.

Founder of a gaming business

They differentiate themselves by having lawyers who have deep expertise in specialist areas such as trusts, insurance and funds.

Legal 500 UK, 2024

Ceri Vokes has ‘a robust understanding of international and UK tax issues relating to HNWI and their families. She is very responsive, technically brilliant and gets straight to the point. She is very reliable and clearly satisfies the needs of the most demanding of clients’.

Legal 500 UK, 2017

A likeable former corporate lawyer with an active sports and City centric client base.

Spear's Tax Lawyers 2016

Me in a minute

I enjoy delivering a creative, bespoke and responsive service to my clients

I act for a broad range of private clients, from family offices and entrepreneurs to sports stars. I trained at a magic circle law firm, qualifying initially as a corporate tax lawyer, before turning my hand to private client over a decade ago.

Experience

Beneficiaries and heirs Families and family offices Family businesses Financial services Founders High net worth individuals

Leaders and senior executives Private client Private companies Professional advisors Sports, talent and entertainment Tax

Track record

Multi-jurisdictional asset restructuring

Restructuring of a multi-jurisdictional portfolio of assets comprising multi-jurisdictional tax and regulatory issues.

Carried interest structure

Advice on a highly bespoke US/UK real estate carried interest structure.

International insurers

Opining on the tax treatment of novel insurance policies for a number of international insurers.

Jurgen Klopp

Tax advice on Jurgen Klopp's move to Liverpool FC.

Talks

'Good bye, uncertainty. Hello, complexity', Statutory residence test
'Tapping into private wealth', Private equity
Life Insurance Solutions for High Net Worth Individuals
'Family investment companies and family limited partnerships', Inheritance tax
'Residence nil rate band planning', Inheritance tax
'After the party is over', Tax for entertainers and sports stars