The team at Blackcrest stands for strong interpersonal skills and highly qualified profiles. Each member focuses on their own field of expertise, with a thorough understanding of the wider economic and business realities.
The team handles complex and high-profile matters across both the private and public sectors. Proud of its talents and supportive of their career fulfilment, Blackcrest stands behind each of them, in their academic and professional journey.
Chief Executive Officeraurelie.chreng@blackcrestlegal.co.uk
Expertise
Strategic leadership of the London office, development of UK-based private office services, client relations and business development for entrepreneurs and investors, cross-border coordination and growth strategy from the UK base.
Languages
English, Spanish, German
Professional Background
Business leadership roles in the UK since 2020, with a focus on establishing and growing the London operations and supporting the firm's strategic development and rebranding.
Associations
Active in professional networks supporting private client advisory, business leadership, and international wealth management from the UK and beyond.
Aurelie Chreng serves as Chief Executive Officer of Blackcrest Private Office from its London base. With a clear entrepreneurial vision and deep commitment to client service, she has guided the firm's strategic development and international growth since 2020. Working closely with her partner Ythier Soyer, a UK-qualified solicitor and Partner, she ensures that entrepreneurs, investors, and international clients receive exceptional, personalised advice and support across the group's offices. Her leadership combines strategic oversight with a hands-on approach, fostering strong relationships and delivering tailored solutions in a complex global environment.
Co-Founding Partnerythier.soyer@blackcrestlegal.co.uk
Expertise
Corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, financial services, private client (international), tax, and European Community law.
Languages
English, French, German and Japanese.
Admission
Solicitor, England & Wales (2011)
SRA ID 463428 — SRA-regulated
Associations
The Law Society of England and Wales
Ythier Soyer co-founded Blackcrest in 2020. A solicitor of England and Wales admitted in 2011, he acts for a broad client base — corporates, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, investors, family offices, and private individuals on complex, cross-border matters, bringing the discipline, precision and judgement of the law to every engagement.
His practice spans corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and financial services, alongside international private client work and tax. He acts as counsel on transactions and on sensitive private matters alike, and is known for translating technical complexity into clear, commercial outcomes — and for the discretion that discerning clients value most.
He works in English, French, German and Japanese, representing clients across multiple jurisdictions with a genuinely international perspective.
Chief Operating Officerfrancois.krafft@blackcrestlegal.co.uk
Expertise
Operational leadership, business and financial process management, client service excellence, team development, cross-border coordination, and strategic implementation in private office environments.
Languages
English, French, Spanish
Professional Background
Extensive experience within professional services and financial advisory businesses, where he has held senior operational and management positions. He has specialised in optimising internal processes, leading cross-functional teams, and improving service delivery standards across professional services environments. With over 15 years in the sector, he combines strong operational expertise with a deep understanding of the corporate and advisory landscape.
Associations
Active in professional networks supporting business operations, professional services, and financial advisory in the UK and internationally.
Francois Krafft is the Chief Operating Officer of Blackcrest Private Office. Drawing on extensive experience in professional and financial services, he brings a rigorous approach to operational excellence and strategic execution. He is responsible for overseeing the firm's day-to-day operations, optimising internal processes, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, personalised services to clients. Working closely with Chief Executive Officer Aurelie Chreng, he plays an instrumental role in supporting the firm's growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and upholding the highest standards of service across all offices.
Head of Capital Marketssimon.halberg@blackcrestlegal.co.uk
Expertise
Capital markets advisory, fundraising and capital raising strategies, investment structuring, deal sourcing and execution, investor relations, and cross-border transaction management.
Languages
English, French, German
Professional Background
Extensive experience in capital markets and corporate finance. He has held senior positions in investment banking and advisory firms, specialising in equity and debt transactions, capital raising, and strategic financial advisory for corporate clients and investors.
Associations
Active in professional networks focused on capital markets, investment banking, and private equity.
Simon Halberg is the Head of Capital Markets at Blackcrest Private Office. With a strong background in investment banking and capital markets, he leads the firm's capital raising and transaction advisory activities. He works closely with entrepreneurs, corporates, and investors to structure and execute complex financing solutions across equity and debt markets. His expertise in deal sourcing, investor relations, and transaction management enables clients to access capital efficiently and strategically. Working closely with the leadership team, he plays a key role in expanding the firm's capital markets capabilities and delivering tailored financial solutions.
Head of Compliance & MLROkatherine.fankhauser@blackcrestlegal.co.uk
Expertise
Regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), risk management, client due diligence, regulatory reporting, and compliance programme development in professional services.
Languages
English, German
Professional Background
Extensive experience in regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering. She previously spent several years at a leading international professional services firm before holding senior compliance roles in professional services and advisory businesses, with particular expertise in AML, sanctions compliance, and regulatory risk management.
Associations
Active in professional compliance and financial crime networks.
Katherine Fankhauser leads the compliance function at Blackcrest Private Office as Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer. With a strong foundation built through several years at a major professional services firm, she brings a sophisticated understanding of regulatory expectations and risk management. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the firm's compliance infrastructure, ensuring that client onboarding, ongoing monitoring, and regulatory reporting meet the highest standards. Her work is central to protecting the firm's integrity and supporting its continued growth in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
