Adonis Zachariou, TEP, and Theodora Alexandrou, ADIT, recently attended the 2nd Annual Summit "Private Clients in the Changing World: Where East Meets West", organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with STEP Cyprus and held at the Four Seasons Hotel on 23 April 2026.
The summit brought together leading international practitioners, private client advisors, fiduciaries, bankers, and legal professionals from Cyprus and abroad to discuss the evolving landscape of global wealth management, succession planning, and cross-border structuring in an increasingly complex regulatory and geopolitical environment.
Throughout the day, participants explored how geopolitical developments, regulatory reform, sanctions regimes, and emerging financial hubs are reshaping private wealth planning worldwide. Discussions highlighted a notable shift away from tax driven structuring throughout the EU towards greater emphasis on legal certainty, stability, transparency, and long-term asset protection.
A key theme of the conference was Cyprus's growing position as an attractive jurisdiction for international wealth structuring. Speakers highlighted the jurisdiction's EU alignment, strategic geographic location, robust trust legislation, and flexible structuring framework as significant advantages in the current environment. Particular attention was given to the increasing international interest in both Cyprus local and international trusts, as well as ongoing discussions surrounding the possible introduction of private foundations legislation to broaden the available wealth planning tools for clients from civil law jurisdictions.
The programme also addressed important practical developments affecting the private client industry, including sanctions enforcement, fiduciary liability, cross-border succession challenges, AI and crypto-related risks, and the growing importance of coordinated advisory structures involving legal, banking, investment, and family office professionals.
Notable sessions included discussions on the evolving relationship between India and Cyprus as an international gateway to Europe, a comparative analysis of trusts, funds, foundations, and corporate structures, as well as a crisis management case study examining succession and governance challenges arising from unexpected founder incapacity or disappearance.
The conference further provided valuable insights into potential reforms to Cyprus international trust legislation and broader developments affecting the global private client sector, reinforcing the importance of proactive, resilient, and carefully structured planning solutions. Discussions also touched upon ongoing initiatives to introduce Europe leading legislation on global powers of attorney for incapacitated persons, aimed at strengthening cross-border succession and incapacity planning through enhanced legal certainty and practical international recognition mechanisms.
Elias Neocleous & Co LLC's participation in the summit reflects our continued commitment to remain at the forefront of international developments and best practices in wealth structuring, succession planning, and fiduciary services.
For more information on the topics discussed during the summit and how these developments may impact international wealth structuring, succession planning, trusts, and cross-border private client matters, please contact Adonis Zachariou, Theodora Alexandrou and our Private Client department.