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Member talk: Business Families and Succession Planning - Collaborating with Corporate Specialists

2025-10-22T12:10:00

Keep it in the family

With succession planning playing a critical role in the long-term stability of family-owned businesses, private client solicitors must be equipped to advise on the legal and practical considerations involved in transferring shares and control across generations.

From navigating complex family dynamics to implementing trust structures and revising governance frameworks, effective succession planning requires a blend of technical expertise and strategic foresight.

Solicitors help safeguard business legacies, ensure smooth transitions, and balance family interests while minimising risk and disputes.

In this video, our speakers explore:

  • how private client solicitors can integrate succession planning into their advice
  • protecting share transfers from divorce, remarriage, and other family changes
  • legal and practical issues when transferring shares into trusts
  • anticipating shareholder capacity and director appointment challenges
  • aligning company articles and shareholder agreements with family governance
  • lessons learned from complex share transfer scenarios

 

Speakers:

  • Chris Claxton-Shirley, Senior Associate at Tees and Private Client Solicitors Section Advisory Committee Member
  • Steven Appleton, Private Client Partner at Brabners and Head of the Brabners Personal Business Owners and Entrepreneurs practice

This video was recorded on the following date:

22 October 2025

To view the full recordings of videos in this series, log in  or become a Section member today.

 

 

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