We advise business owners, directors and shareholders on the full scale of succession planning with the English legal framework of corporate and commercial law.

We understand that effective succession planning is essential for long-term stability, safeguarding company value and ensuring that ownership transitions occur smoothly and with minimal disruption.

Whether a business is preparing for a generational handover, planning future ownership structures or considering the potential sale or transfer of shares, our Corporate and Commercial team provides clear, strategic guidance designed to protect both the business and the individuals who ultimately stand behind it.

We work with companies of all sizes, from family-owned businesses and professional practices to high-growth SMEs. Succession planning is not simply about identifying successors; it involves careful legal structuring, shareholders’ and partnership agreements, risk management and ensuring the business is equipped to withstand expected and unexpected changes.

Our advisory and relational approach is collaborative and forward-looking. We take time to understand the business’ goals, ownership structure, commercial pressures within the corporate governance framework. From this, we help clients put in place legal arrangements that safeguard continuity, reduce uncertainty and ensure that ownership transitions are handled in a controlled and commercially sound manner.

Our key succession planning services include:

• Drafting and reviewing shareholder agreements and partnership agreements;
• Ownership transition planning and corporate governance advice;
• Structuring share transfers, buy-back arrangements, and exit strategies;
• Family business succession, including generational and inter-generational transfers;
• Business continuity and contingency planning;
• Advising on management buyouts (MBOs) and ownership restructuring; and
• Coordinating corporate succession planning with estate-planning considerations.

As a firm, we place a strong emphasis on continued long-term support. Succession planning is not a one-off exercise, instead we understand it is an evolving strategy that should be revisited as the business grows and succeeds. If you are considering long-term succession planning for your business, preparing for retirement or reviewing your company’s governance framework, our Corporate and Commercial team is here to help.

Please contact a member of the team today and we would be pleased to discuss your objectives and succession needs.