I have the opportunity to advise highly successful people, whose "big" characters have often been key to their business and/or financial success. But appreciating what drives and influences my clients outside that arena - personally and emotionally - is also a vital part of the picture. Having come up against clients, and/or their children, whilst on horseback playing polo might seem a rather dramatic approach to gaining this additional insight, but it is certainly informative (and fun).

I hope that example helps demonstrate that what makes my role interesting is understanding individual characters and their dynamics as part of a wider family comprising individuals, whom often differ considerably in personality and circumstance. I particularly enjoy working with members of younger generations who may have the opportunity to succeed their elders in taking over or developing family businesses and seeing the challenges they face in the transition period - this often brings out the true personality of the individuals involved.

So, I enjoy the challenge, not simply of navigating the highly technical and constantly evolving area of tax law which is the foundation of the area in which I advise, but also getting to know how every individual client and his family works.