Corporate Planning

After a period of managing and building a successful business, the owners/shareholders may consider some form of exit strategy.

Will the stakeholders want a total exit, a phased withdrawal, a management buy-out or simply wish to pass their assets to the next generation of managers? Whatever route, it’s essential that your equity holding is organised to minimise your Capital Gains Tax exposure through the successful use of entrepreneurial relief.

We will work with your existing tax advisers to maximise your financial position before your exit and the sooner this planning starts the better, as often, a two to three month lead-in period is required to arrange both the individual’s and the company’s affairs in the most efficient manner.

A successfully managed corporate pension fund can be of huge benefit to a growing business and it's our responsibility to analyse your existing arrangements in-light of your business objectives.

Is the pension there simply to provide income in retirement for the members? Or is the company looking to purchase commercial property, searching for new finance or looking to refinance existing debt? A corporate pension fund may be able to lend money to the sponsoring company, therefore cutting out the reliance on an independent banking contact. (This is hugely valuable given the current state of UK commercial lending).

A discussion with one of our experienced advisers will soon establish the options available to you.

In the increasingly competitive world of Industry, attracting quality personnel and their subsequent retention is an important factor in securing the long-term success of a business. A modern employee benefits scheme would typically include:

• company pension plan
• life insurance
• income replacement policy
• health care provision

An employee benefits programme must be well planned, properly controlled, cost effective and tailored to the needs of your business.

We can develop an appropriate strategy, identify the best providers and then help implement a fully integrated plan.

A Shareholder Agreement is an essential document for privately owned companies. It provides clear instruction to all shareholders covering a number of potentially contentious issues:

• defines the powers of the shareholders
• defines the procedures and limits within which the company operates
• prevents the personal circumstances of one shareholder affecting the company or other shareholders
• provides the other shareholders the right of first refusal of the shares held by another shareholder on their death

We will work with you and your other professional advisers to ensure that is important covers all of the factors that are relevant to your business. We would also recommend reviewing any existing agreements, to ensure that they reflect the ownership and direction of the current business strategy.

The banking world has experienced significant instability over the last two years. As a result there is often a requirement for cash depositors to calibrate the financial security of the bank against the level of interest being received on their cash.

Our objective is to investigate the market for the best corporate cash deals and then to keep a close eye on the rates of interest you are receiving. In virtually all cases we can improve the return you are getting on your business cash deposits.

As experts in this field, we can also extend the search further to include corporate loans & mortgages and we are well-placed to offer advice on new loans and the restructuring of existing debt.