16 September 2025
Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn
15 September 2025
Contributors:
Iain Drummond, Alejandro Coghill
15 September 2025
Contributor: Jonathan Carey
Browse our articles, insights and guides.
In some ways, family businesses are just like any other. They acquire or merge with other businesses – important transactions that can have a big impact on future performance. Similarly, for any business owner an exit is a critical moment that must be organised correctly. To give just one example, how much of the sale price is paid upfront and how much is deferred (and how it is deferred) is a decision that can have life-altering consequences. We have the experience and insight to anticipate future problems, and help you to get the most out of what is usually a once-in-a-lifetime event.
In many respects, though, the priorities of family businesses are different. Keeping control of the shareholding is particularly important, and we can help with this in various ways. One is to apply conditions and restrictions to the transfer of shares, to reduce the chances of unwanted situations arising.
Incentivising staff is another key strategic issue, and one in which shareholding is also often an important element. We structure incentive schemes that are effective while also protecting the family’s long-term interests.
We also often help with the drafting of Family Charters: private documents that set out a road map for a family business. Each one is unique, depending on the nature of the business and the needs of the owners, but they typically include a succession policy and a statement of values, and outline key steps required before people take on more senior roles. Family Charters are just one tool in succession management. We also advise on legal structures and other ways to help families ensure that their businesses maximise their potential to move forward.
Shareholder disputes can occur anywhere, but in family businesses they have particular qualities that aren’t seen elsewhere. We can help with the full range of methods to resolve them successfully, including mediation and negotiation.
When a business is family-owned, it is usually an important part of inheritance tax planning. We advise on this, and on all aspects of estate planning, to help you to transfer wealth efficiently and – just as importantly – to secure the future of the business.
Whatever the specific issue, our depth of experience enables us to anticipate problems, and proactively help our clients to avoid short-term solutions that create problems in the future. We’re also able to call on the expertise of colleagues in other teams around the firm – a huge resource that benefits our clients in many different situations.
Family businesses – both large and small, and in many sectors – trust us to protect their interests, and to provide the advice and insight they need to deal with the particular challenges that they face.
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