The decision to sell or pass on a business to the next generation is one of the most difficult any business owner will face. Our tax team has over 40 years' experience advising business owners on their retirement and succession plans; we understand the professional and personal considerations involved.
When planning a succession strategy we meet with our clients on a regular basis to discuss their needs and assist in formulating their exit plan. This process typically begins several years prior to retirement/sale. We strive to build long-term relationships with clients and can assist the new owners with continuing and growing their business.
Some of our services include:
Estate and succession planning for business owners.
Working with solicitors on drafting of wills and family/shareholder agreements.
Exit planning – company buybacks of shares, pension planning, termination payments.
Family ownership structures – partnerships / limited companies.
Examples of recent succession planning work
| Client profile | Transaction | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Family-run business in the industrial sector, valued in excess of €10m. | Exit strategy for founding shareholders. | Tax planning to realise tax efficient proceeds for the owners. |
| Family-run business in the construction sector, valued in excess of €4.5m. | Exit strategy to transfer business to the future manager and next generation. | Successful completion of transfer of business with significant tax-free payments to the founder shareholders. |
| Owner-managed business in the legal sector, valued at €4m. | Succession plan to pass the company to the founder’s family. | Successful exit by founders with low effective tax rate and maximum ex-gratia payments. |
| Long-established professional services firm. | Exit of significant shareholder. | Tax planning to realise tax efficient exit, maximising personal tax reliefs available. |