Raising Standards. Building Trust. Investing in People.
In wealth management and fiduciary services, trust is rarely built in a single moment. It grows over time — through careful judgement, calm execution, and the steady support professionals offer to clients and colleagues, often quietly behind the scenes.
At Clermont Trust Group, our people shape that confidence every day. This March, as International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day are celebrated in many countries, we recognise the women leaders who strengthen our organisation through the standards they uphold, the teams they develop, and the culture they help sustain across offices.
Built for the Long Term
Clermont Trust Group operates across seven jurisdictions (Figure 1), with nearly 140 employees as of March 2026.
Figure 1: Our Office Locations — Clermont Trust Group
In our global organisation, women represent almost 60% of our workforce (Figure 2). They hold 43% of leadership roles and more than 45% of senior leader and senior manager positions (Figure 3). This reflects encouraging progress and provides a solid foundation as we continue strengthening progression pathways and inclusive leadership across our Group.
Figure 2: Workforce Gender Distribution — Clermont Trust Group
Another defining strength is continuity. Many colleagues have built long careers with Clermont Trust, with several team members serving more than ten years. Our longest-serving colleague will mark 30 years with the Group in 2026, which mirrors the lifetime of the business itself.
Leading by Listening
Ask leaders across our organisation what matters most in today’s environment, and similar themes quickly emerge — clarity, sound judgement, and the ability to guide people through change.
Figure 3: Senior Women Leaders — Clermont Trust Group
For Lauren Ker, Managing Director of Clermont Trust Guernsey, leadership begins with listening.
“Leadership starts with listening, trusting my judgement, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas. Intuition also plays an important role — it helps guide decisions and supports leading teams through change with confidence.”
Her advice to the next generation is grounded and practical: trust your judgement, build the confidence to speak up, and recognise the value of different perspectives.
“We all bring something unique to a team — through our experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints. That diversity strengthens collaboration, makes the workplace more enjoyable, and ultimately helps us deliver a high standard of service to our clients.”
In an industry where technical competence is expected, what often distinguishes organisations is the quality of thinking and collaboration behind decisions.
Client Focus and Teamwork
Fiduciary and wealth management work is technical by nature, but also deeply personal. Families rarely fit a single template, and strong outcomes depend on thoughtful judgement and close cooperation across advisers and jurisdictions.
For Tania Steven-Jennings, Senior Relationship Manager, leadership is shaped by combining technical knowledge with human understanding.
“My early experience gave me a strong technical grounding, but it also showed me how personal and complex family wealth can be. Every family is different, and their priorities, dynamics, and long-term goals are often unique. This shapes how I approach client relationships and leadership — by listening carefully, understanding the bigger picture, and tailoring solutions.”
Working with internationally connected families means collaboration across jurisdictions is essential. Within her team, Tania encourages colleagues to share ideas, take ownership of their work, and grow through mentorship.
“Empowering people to take ownership of their work builds confidence. Mentorship is something I care deeply about. It is especially important in such a specialised industry and helping colleagues develop their skills is incredibly rewarding.”
Her message to women entering the profession is clear: “Stay curious, keep learning, trust your perspective, and seek mentors who can support your development.”
Calm Through Change
In fiduciary and wealth management, change is constant — from evolving regulation to shifting client expectations. Strong leadership means remaining steady while helping teams navigate complexity.
For Andrea Aegerter, Group Head of Compliance, that balance is essential.
“Leaders today must adapt to constant change while still providing stability and direction. For me, leadership involves listening actively, empowering colleagues, and fostering an inclusive culture and trusted environment.”
She also views leadership as something built gradually through consistency and experience.
“I believe strongly in leading by example and building accountability across teams. At Clermont Trust, I’ve grown into leadership supported by experience, credibility, consistency, and trust — something I deeply appreciate.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: “Lead with confidence and authenticity. Stay curious and believe in yourself.”
Investing in People
In a service-led business, leadership is measured not only by results but by how people are supported and developed.
For Sharon Shapshak, Group Client Accounting Director, leadership is ultimately about empowerment.
“Effective leadership is not defined by authority, but by empowerment. I firmly believe that when my team succeeds, I succeed.”
Creating that environment requires practical support — training, guidance, and an open-door approach where people feel valued and trusted.
“Trust begins with investment — through the right training, guidance, and an open-door approach.”
She also emphasises the importance of learning from experience.
“I strongly believe in teamwork and in turning mistakes into learning opportunities rather than setbacks. When people feel trusted, they take ownership and grow.”
Her advice to future leaders is direct: “Invest in your people. Help them become the best they can be while maintaining high standards and supporting their development.”
Flexibility That Works
Inclusive leadership also means recognising different life realities and ensuring talented people can thrive over the long term.
For Kim Grover, Managing Director of Clermont Trust Switzerland, flexibility plays a practical role in enabling performance and retention.
“I’m exceptionally proud to lead the Geneva team, where more than 75% of colleagues are women — many balancing demanding careers with family life.”
Flexible working arrangements help support that balance.
“Today, 63% of our staff work part-time. These arrangements allow people to succeed professionally while still being present for their families.”
Kim also highlights the importance of collaboration across teams and jurisdictions.
“Successful leadership relies on collaboration across genders and offices. This is a fundamental pillar of our organisation. At Clermont Trust, we lead with empathy, coordination, and an open-door approach at every level of management.”
Her advice to the next generation reflects that same authenticity: “Remain true to yourself, embrace your strengths, and lead by example.”
Trust and Autonomy
As organisations grow, leadership increasingly shifts from directing every detail to enabling others to succeed.
For Tanya Scantlebury, Managing Director of Clermont Trust British Virgin Islands, establishing the BVI office since 2016 reinforced an important lesson.
“The last decade has been a journey that has fundamentally reshaped my understanding of leadership. True impact comes not from managing every detail, but from empowering people within a culture of trust and autonomy.”
She describes modern leadership as balancing professional rigour with empathy.
“Leadership today means combining technical integrity with decisive empathy. Master the complexities of the industry but always lead with the human element in mind — it is the only way to build a foundation that truly lasts.”
What We Are Building Next
Moments like these in March offer both a reason to celebrate and an opportunity to reflect. We are proud of the contributions women make across Clermont Trust Group and encouraged by the representation at senior levels.
At the same time, our focus remains firmly on the future — strengthening career progression pathways, promoting inclusive leadership, and maintaining a culture where high standards go hand in hand with respect and support.
In wealth management and fiduciary services, leadership is measured not only by what is achieved, but by how it is achieved — through sound judgement, consistency, and strong collaboration.
Across Clermont Trust Group, women leaders help shape that culture every day.
