For many people, making a Will is something that is quietly postponed. It is often seen as a task for later life, something to address once retirement approaches or when financial affairs feel settled.

For decades, family business owners across the UK could plan their succession around a simple assumption. Build the business, hold the shares, and pass them on at death largely free of inheritance tax. That assumption ended on 6 April 2026. The reform to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief has fundamentally altered the maths of succession. Qualifying business and agricultural assets now receive full relief only up to £2.5 million per individual, or £5 mi

One of the clearest patterns among leaders who step down successfully is that they begin investing in interests, relationships and activities outside the business well in advance.

Three in 10 business owners do not have a pension independent of their business, according to Rathbones Group, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management firms, warning that millions may be taking unnecessary risks with their future finances.

Managing the shift in roles and responsibilities during transition can be complex, as family dynamics and emotions often come in to play.

The leader who retires in theory but not in behaviour, can be one of the most common and corrosive issues in family-run firms

Land-owning and farming families often face unique financial and estate planning challenges.

Planning your business exit might not appear as exciting as building it, but it is just as important.

For many family businesses, shares in a trading company form a core part of long-term family wealth. Importantly, they’ve historically provided a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth via inheritance.

The April 2026 inheritance tax (IHT) changes mean that some families could be left with a ’dry’ IHT charge.

Millions of workers across the UK could see their pensions increase by up to 60% as new regulations for Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes are set to be laid.

We often talk about succession as if it is a baton race. One hand lets go, the other takes hold, and the race continues. Simple. In practice, it is rarely like that. The handover is messy. The baton wobbles. And more often than not, the founder is still running alongside long after they said they would stop. What we do not talk about enough is why. Why Founders Struggle To Let Go For many founders, the business is not just something they built. It is who they are. Their role

After decades at the helm of a family business—steering it through the highs and lows, the recessions and recoveries—retirement should be...

Major changes are coming to one of the most valuable inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs for UK business owners. From 6 April 2026, sweeping...

As the ‘baby boomer’ generation reaches retirement age, a growing number of family business owners are considering an exit. In fact,...

For family businesses, passing wealth and control to the next generation can be both a strategic and an emotional journey. However, evolving tax legislation is putting increasing pressure on these transitions especially in light of upcoming changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) and rising tax burdens such as National Insurance increases. These developments are prompting many families to reassess their business structures and succession planning. In this article, we will

A national survey commissioned by UK law firm Brodies LLP has revealed that UK residents aged 50 and over are underprepared for the upcoming changes to inheritance tax (IHT), with only 26% fully understanding how the new rules will impact their wealth transfer plans. The representative YouGov survey of 2,001 adults highlights concerning gaps in estate planning and family communication, raising alarms about the risks of inadequate succession strategies in the wake of the new

Succession planning is often one of the most delicate and decisive phases in the life of a family business. While many enterprises thrive...

Succession planning has always been a difficult topic for many due to the need to confront issues around death and the loss of someone special who has passed. But as the saying goes, ‘there is nothing more certain than death and taxes,’ and the proposed Budget has put the spotlight firmly on family businesses and in particular, Inheritance Tax on the passing of shares from one generation to the next. Ownership succession and the implications are now firmly on the family busin

The UK Budget 2024 has introduced significant reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) within the Inheritance Tax (IHT) framework, creating major implications for British farmers. APR has long been a vital tool for enabling family farms to pass to the next generation with reduced tax burdens. However, the upcoming changes mean that larger farming estates could face higher IHT liabilities, potentially threatening their financial sustainability. These reforms have already