Case studies
Anonymised client stories
Real planning scenarios, summarised to highlight the thinking and support behind each engagement.
Multi-jurisdictional estate planning
The Challenge
A UK-resident family with significant worldwide assets (£14M), including property in Spain, investments in Singapore, and a UK trading business, faced overlapping tax obligations across three jurisdictions with no unified structure.
Our Solution
We coordinated with international and offshore tax specialists to implement a globally tax-efficient structure. This included UK resident non-domiciled planning, double taxation treaty optimisation, and careful staging of residence and domicile changes. We established offshore arrangements for non-UK assets while preserving Business Property Relief on the UK business.
The Outcome
Achieved a 65% reduction in global tax liability through careful structuring. The family now has clarity on their worldwide tax position and a clear succession plan that works across all jurisdictions.
£3.8M saved in inheritance tax
Business exit & succession
The Challenge
The owner of a professional services firm valued at £5M wanted to sell to a third party while minimising capital gains tax and inheritance tax implications. The sale would create a significant cash position requiring careful planning.
Our Solution
We timed the exit to maximise BPR benefits, established a discretionary trust structure to receive the proceeds, and implemented a program of charitable giving and phased family gifts. The strategy included EIS-qualifying investments to maintain IHT efficiency on reinvested proceeds.
The Outcome
The business sale proceeded with optimal tax efficiency. The resulting cash position was structured to maintain inheritance tax benefits while providing the family with diversification and security. CGT liability was minimised through careful timing and allowance utilisation.
£1.2M saved in capital gains and inheritance tax
Further client scenarios
Estate planning for a high-net-worth individual
Problem: A retired professional with a £3.2M estate had not reviewed their will or IHT position in over fifteen years. Significant assets had accumulated without a plan for how they would pass.
Approach: We mapped the full estate, identified a substantial IHT exposure, and coordinated with solicitors to update wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. A structured gifting programme was introduced alongside reviewed pension nominations.
Outcome: The client now has a current, legally sound estate plan with a clear gifting strategy in place and nominated representatives for financial and health decisions.
Approx. £380K IHT exposure identified and addressed through structured gifting and updated documentation
Bringing order to a complex financial picture
Problem: A couple in their mid-fifties had accumulated pensions, policies, and investments across three decades with no unified view of their position or a plan for retirement income.
Approach: We consolidated all assets into a single financial map, identified gaps in protection and pension nominations, and delivered a prioritised action plan. We coordinated handoffs to regulated advisers for pension consolidation.
Outcome: For the first time, the couple had a complete picture of their £2.1M combined position and a clear sequence of actions to prepare for retirement.
£2.1M estate mapped and gaps addressed ahead of planned retirement in three years
Consolidating legacy trust structures
Problem: A family held three discretionary trusts established at different points, with overlapping beneficiary classes, inconsistent terms, and rising administrative complexity.
Approach: We reviewed all three trust deeds, identified inefficiencies and potential compliance issues, and designed a consolidated structure. We coordinated with specialist solicitors to implement the restructure and briefed trustees on their revised obligations.
Outcome: The family now operates a single, compliant trust structure that is simpler to administer and better aligned with their current intentions.
Three legacy trusts consolidated into one structure; annual administration burden significantly reduced