Ceris Gardner

Ceris advises a number of charities and chartered bodies on constitutional, governance and taxation issues. She is also experienced in advising on the increased risks and responsibilities facing trustees in periods of economic downturn and on the challenges posed by the role of charities in today’s society.

Ceris also has a particular interest and involvement in encouraging families to consider philanthropy and helping them to plan their giving strategy.

Ceris is actively involved in the charity sector, serving as a trustee of Philanthropy Impact (a body which incorporates the European Association for Planned Giving, Philanthropy UK and the Philanthropy Advisers Forum) and Crimestoppers.

Ceris is described as “thorough and academic, but also very commercial and adored by clients“.

Examples of recent experience include:

Ceris is the former head of MTG’s Immigration team and specialises in advising wealthy individuals and families moving to the UK. She also advises regularly on:

As a former head of the Art and Heritage Property team, Ceris has been advising clients on  issues relating to the taxation of heritage property for over 25 years. She has a wealth of experience advising UK and non-UK domiciled and resident individuals, families, estates and trustees on UK and international art and heritage property matters (and immigration and philanthropy) which means that she is able to adopt an holistic approach when advising her clients on these and tax and succession issues, establishing UK and offshore trusts, family limited partnerships and other cross border asset-holding structures.

Ceris and fellow partner Jennifer Chambers were instrumental in procuring an extra statutory concession (ESC F7, which was later consolidated into legislation) concerning the exemption from IHT for works of art imported to the UK for public exhibition and Ceris is also involved in putting the views of the heritage lobby to Government, including the renewed attempt to put “living legacies” back on the Government’s agenda which would give a huge encouragement to making lifetime gifts of art and cultural property.