Meet Rui Duarte

Rui is a Legacy Executive in our Legacy Administration team. He joined Foot Anstey as an apprentice in 2018 and has since achieved his Level 3 CILEx and a Certificate in Legacy Administration from the Institute of Legacy Management.

Since joining the firm, Rui has grown his legacy management experience and plays an active role in training other apprentices in the team. He is now further developing his legal knowledge by studying for a CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ).

On the job

What do you enjoy most about working with charities and legacy professionals?

I really enjoy how collaborative my role is. I often reach out to other charities who benefit under the same estate to exchange ideas or share advice. This is especially handy in more complex cases where different points of views are crucial to the decision-making process.

I also enjoy the meaningful impact our work has. Legacy income is instrumental to charities – it plays a vital role in enabling their incredible work across the country. Knowing that we're helping to contribute to this makes the work all the more rewarding.

How did you find juggling studying alongside working? What advice would you give to someone in a similar situation?

It hasn't always been easy, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Striking the right balance between studying and working took some time, but I've learnt to value the process. Studying has become one of the most powerful tools in advancing my professional development and expertise.

One piece of advice I would offer is to remember to be kind to yourself. It can get tough juggling a full-time job with education but make sure you take the time to recognise your own efforts and how far you've come.  

Can you share a time in your career that was challenging? How did you get through it?

During my first three years at Foot Anstey, I faced personal challenges that required me to take time away from work. Despite this, I was determined to complete my apprenticeship and succeed in my role.

It was a challenging time but what helped get me through was the unwavering support I received from my supervisors and team. I owe them a huge thank you - they always prioritised my well-being and made me feel supported and valued as a team member. Their empathy and encouragement were pivotal, and I’m incredibly grateful for the supportive environment they fostered. That support made all the difference, and allowed me to navigate that challenging period, while continuing to grow personally and professionally.

What do you hope to achieve in the future working in the legacy sector?

As I build my knowledge and experience, I'd like to work on more complex cases. I enjoy working on cases where challenges may have arisen and finding ways to identify what has gone wrong and develop solutions to ensure the legacies left by those who are no longer with us are honoured.

Off the clock

What's a place you recommend someone visiting?

I've travelled many places in my lifetime but if you are a lover of food, then I would thoroughly recommend a trip to Italy's beautiful city of Rimini. It has lots to offer including beautiful sandy beaches, lovely weather, and delicious Italian cuisine.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I like to stay active by going to the gym and by playing football with friends and family. We even play the odd tennis game in the summer too, which always turn into competitive matches! I also enjoy teaching Portuguese. Recently, I've been teaching a family member and it's been a pleasure to see them develop their skills. I am hoping to start to learn Spanish and Italian too, as I have a real admiration for languages.