Private Client

Member Talk: Business Families and Succession Planning series

2025-11-07T11:35:00

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.

This series of bitesize videos, exclusive to Private Client Solicitors Section members, is delivered by experts to support you in giving the best possible legal advice to your clients.

Business Families and Succession Planning - Collaborating with Corporate Specialists

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

 

Business Families and Succession Planning - Collaborating with Tax Specialists

Our speakers explore practical options for business owners and outline how private client solicitors can support their clients following the 2024 Budget changes. They cover:

  • Key tax changes announced in the October 2024 Budget and who may be affected
  • Options for business owners who are not yet ready to undertake succession planning
  • Will planning considerations where a business is owned by one spouse
  • Maximising each spouse’s £1 million allowance for 100% Business Property Relief (BPR)
  • The role of adult children in early succession planning
  • How trusts can be used to hold business assets and how the relevant property regime applies
  • Practical takeaways for balancing tax efficiency with family control

 

Our speakers:

  • Ellie Gibbison, Partner and Head of Private Client, Swinburne Maddison LLP and Chair of the Private Client Solicitors Section Advisory Committee Member
  • James Kipping, Private Client Tax Partner, MHA

These videos were recorded on the following dates,  prior to the 26 November 2025 Budget announcement.

22 October 2025 - Collaborating with Tax Specialists

27 October 2025 - Collaborating with Corporate Specialists

 

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

 

 

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