A PARTNER at leading law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM), has been awarded the prestigious Founder’s Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Ian Macdonald, from Glasgow, has been given the accolade as a testament to his exceptional contributions and long-term commitment to advancing the mission of STEP.

The Founder’s Awards, named in honour of STEP’s founder George Tasker, are presented annually to outstanding volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions beyond the expected. Ian has been a dedicated member of STEP since its inception in 1991, making significant contributions in various capacities.

Ian said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Founder’s Award for Outstanding Achievement from STEP. It has been a privilege to contribute to an organisation that plays such a vital role in the trust and estate planning community.

“I am grateful for the opportunities STEP has provided me to contribute to the profession, and I look forward to continuing my involvement in the years to come.”

During his tenure, Ian represented Scotland on the STEP Worldwide Council for an impressive 12 years, from 2007 to 2022. He also served on the Professional Development Committee from 2009 to 2022, holding the position of Chair for the last four years. Additionally, Ian was a founding member of the Business Families Special Interest Group in 2007, acting as the Group’s Deputy Chair until 2016.

With over 21,000 members across approximately 100 countries worldwide, STEP is a globally recognised organisation in the trust and estate planning field. Ian Macdonald is one of only eight recipients of the Founder’s Award this year, and notably, he is the third Scottish member to receive this honour.

Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at WJM, commented: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ian on this well-deserved recognition.

“His commitment to excellence embodies the core values of our firm, and we are privileged to have Ian at the head of our Private Client team. Ian’s recognition by STEP further highlights WJM’s commitment to fostering leadership and expertise within the legal community.”