As the owner of a successful company, you are probably used to receiving advice about the company�s finances from your professional advisers, such as your accountant and bank manager. In our experience, we have found that professional advisers rarely focus on the bigger picture. This may include the protection of your business wealth along with your succession and retirement plans.

You need to consider your goals and objectives as a shareholder in your business and look carefully at your own long-term strategy.

Some of the issues you may be facing:

• How do I maximise the value of my shares as well as my personal assets?
• Your personal aims and objectives may have changed since the company was first established; do your co-shareholders in your business still have the same aims?
• You wish to ensure that your family and business wealth is preserved, managed and enhanced for current and future generations. As such, you need to start planning your succession, exit and/or retirement strategies sooner than you think.
• You wish to ensure that, should you die, there will be sufficient cash to purchase your shares so that the value of your business passes to your family at the right time in a tax-efficient manner.
• You want to pass your business on to your children but are concerned about his/her spouse and a possible divorce.
• You may wish to pass gifts to your children/grandchildren to exploit their tax allowances, but you would like to maintain control.

If any of these areas of planning are of a concern to you, we have the right strategies which will ensure your assets are protected and remain within the family.