We are delighted to congratulate Andrew Cooper, Partner, on receiving a prestigious STEP Excellence Award for his outstanding result in the STEP Diploma in Trusts & Estates (England & Wales). Andrew secured the joint-highest mark in the STEP Diploma in 2025, which comprises four individual exams.
The STEP Excellence Awards recognise the highest-scoring students worldwide who achieve distinction-level marks in STEP examinations, celebrating exceptional academic achievement and dedication within the trusts and estates profession. Andrew’s award places him among the top-performing STEP students globally and reflects his commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards.
Andrew qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and joined Greene & Greene shortly afterwards. Having spent his career to date in the firm’s Corporate team, he is now transitioning into our Legal 500 Tier 1 Private Client team, where he will focus predominantly on providing lifetime estate and tax planning advice to clients.
Andrew undertook the STEP Diploma as part of this move into private client practice, recognising the value of a qualification that is widely respected across the profession.
Speaking about his studies, Andrew said:
“The STEP Diploma is widely recognised and respected as a qualification. It provides a good grounding in the areas of law and practice which are essential to me as I transfer from corporate to private client work.”
He also highlighted the role the qualification has played in supporting his career development:
“Completing the STEP Diploma has been essential in assisting my move from corporate to private client work and has allowed me to quickly build up core knowledge of private client practice.”
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is the leading global professional body for practitioners who advise families across generations. STEP qualifications are recognised internationally for their technical depth and practical relevance, equipping professionals with the knowledge and expertise needed to deliver high-quality advice on trusts, estates, succession planning and taxation.
Following his award success, Andrew featured in STEP’s 60-Second Interview series, where he discusses his career journey, experience of studying for the STEP Diploma and advice for future candidates. You can read the full interview here: 60-second interview with Andrew Cooper | STEP.
Congratulations, Andrew, on this well-deserved achievement.
