Expanding horizons with CTT: How Berkeley Weston drive revenue growth through innovation and support

‘30% of your revenue should be expansion revenue. You're likely at 10.’

Caught your attention? This statistic from Paddle, sets the stage for a transformative journey at Berkeley Weston, where leveraging CTT Group’s Legacy software has not just been about maintaining business as usual, but propelling it to new heights. So how did the firm make the switch?

Berkeley Weston: expanding its team and provision

Berkeley Weston, an estate planning firm based in Leicester, specialises in offering DIY probate services to a varied and established client base. We spoke with Hannah, the newest member of their team, whose arrival marked a strategic move to expand these services to include Wills, Trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

Her extensive experience in regulated and unregulated firms has equipped her well to steer this expansion.

“My background has always been in Private Client but not necessarily in consulting,” says Hannah.

Today, her new role involves educating and providing bespoke solutions to clients, challenging the misconception of a "basic will", and providing well rounded information on estate planning cases with Legacy Software’s comprehensive product packages.

She explains, “There’s no one solution for all. So, it’s interesting to learn about people and their situations. Everyone just thinks, ‘I need a basic will,’ but in reality, there’s no such thing as a basic will. It’s nice to educate people and to inform them of different aspects of will writing.”

With the help of Legacy Software, Hannah now provides a thorough estate planning service that not only protects clients' wealth but also offers them valuable insight throughout the process.

Beginning of a partnership

The collaboration with CTT Group began when Phil Weston, Director of Berkeley Weston, met with CTT’s Director of Partnerships, Jonathan Maskew.

The rapport and mutual understanding were immediate; the firm was captivated by the extensive training and sophisticated capabilities of CTT's Legacy Software, which matched their business objectives by introducing a range of new solutions.

“It’s not like other platforms in the industry, which are just writing tools. Legacy is a trust implementing software,” Hannah points out.

Berkeley has adopted Legacy Software to serve its varied clientele with customised, legally sound services—a strategic step that complements the firm’s ambitions for expansion and broadening its range of provisions.

Training and support from CTT

For Hannah, transitioning from the old will-writing software to CTT's offerings was seamless and provided new insights, particularly concerning the use of trusts.

The comprehensive training provided by CTT covered crucial areas of trusts and Inheritance Tax, essential to Hannah’s day-to-day interactions with clients.

“Trusts and Inheritance Tax were new to me, so the training was very useful. I feel confident and reassured of what I’m saying,” Hannah says.

CTT prioritises ongoing responsiveness and imparting the latest knowledge, ensuring no question goes unanswered. This commitment enhanced Hannah’s confidence in her client consultations.

“Even if it's quite a complex query, someone at CTT will come back to me within 24 hours with the answer,” she says. “I’ve even sent a will over and asked, ‘Does this look right?’ and the team at CTT have been forthcoming with feedback. It’s been very good having that help and reassurance.”

A superior solution in estate planning

Legacy Software is crafted to be a comprehensive solution for all estate planning requirements. Hannah notes the sophistication of CTT Legacy compared to other tools, highlighting its integrated trust generation and fact-finding capabilities that streamline her consultation process.

“It’s obviously a lot more sophisticated than other software I’ve used,” she states. “It generates trusts within the wills, does a fact find, and populates it. Without Legacy, I wouldn’t be in the position to consult with trusts.”

In addition to guiding her consultations with the software, Hannah uses Legacy Software to optimise her operations and develop solutions for intricate estate planning questions.

"It's like an AI; it just takes all the stress away from you," she says.

Legacy Software aims to bring enhanced efficiency to estate planning, intended to aid in consultations, manage client information, and offer well-informed product recommendations in line with the latest legal standards.

“I’ve had some clients that have come back to say, ‘Yep. Brilliant, let’s get on with it’, thanks to the clarity and education of the reports,” explains Hannah.

With over 90 integrated legal products and services, personalised client reports, and access to a wealth of solutions with instant support, Legacy Software enhances the client experience, leading to increased satisfaction, efficiency, and client retention.

Confidence and business growth

Hannah reflects on the positive impact the software has had on her estate planning practices, expressing assurance in her expertise: "I am super confident. Anything I don't know, I know I can find out,” she says.

This confidence underscores the robust support network provided by CTT—not just a software solution, but a partnership that enhances your skills and assures you of your decisions.

“Having the guidance and the backup in the software is great,” she continues, “Every time you populate anything, there’s a client journey timeline that tells you what’s next, and explains why. It’s such a great tool.”

Looking ahead, Hannah is optimistic about the potential for more business and greater efficiency.

“We want to offer clients the full package, and grow our business,” she states, “I’m also looking to get more knowledge on PPPT (The Probate Preservation Plus Trust). My extra training with Jonathan and the Partnership Team has been very useful,” she says.

As Berkeley Weston continue to leverage CTT’s innovative solutions, their trajectory is well-defined. They are not just meeting their goal of expanding services and increasing revenue; they are setting a new standard for what it means to offer comprehensive, client-centered estate planning.

With CTT, they have a partner that supports their current needs, provides innovative solutions, and drives them towards a future rich in opportunity and growth.

“It's nice knowing there's a really knowledgeable team at CTT,” Hannah affirms. “You don't have to sit and worry that you can’t figure something out, you can just ask.”

Find out how CTT membership, training and software solutions can transform your business, and increase revenue with a free, one-hour consultation our friendly Partnership Team.