Harneys rejigs management as longstanding head retires

Peters, who has been the firm’s managing partner for 21 years, is stepping down at the end of the year. His replacement, London-based Peter Tarn, will take over on 1 December.

Harneys private client head Sheila George will take over Peters’ duties as head of the firm’s BVI office.

Peters’ term of office at Harneys has seen the firm expand into jurisdictions including Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands (23 June 2008), Cyprus and Uruguay (2 December 2010).

In a statement he said: “Harneys has been my professional home for over 30 years and as such my leaving is not without emotion. It’s made somewhat easier, however, by the fact that I’m eagerly looking forward to pursuing other interests which were simply not possible when I was so fully committed to the firm and by the fact that I’m confident in the future direction of the firm and in the leadership team which succeeds me”.

Tarn has been a partner at Harneys since 2000 and has led its banking and finance practice as well as its corporate and fiduciary services business, and has also served on the firm’s executive committee.

While the firm has expanded into new jurisdictions, it has remained BVI-headquartered.

“It’s my intention to build on Richard’s legacy and to lead Harneys BVI in such a way that we maintain strong relationships and continue as the undisputed leader in the British Virgin Islands,” said George of the jurisdiction.

Other office heads are Marco Martins in the Cayman Islands and Latin America, Jonathan Culshaw in Hong Kong and Emily Yiolitis in Cyprus.