Top problems with in-house share plan administration
Do not let the administration of your share scheme become a total nightmare
RM2 acts for architecture firm's move to EOT
rhp is pleased to announce that they have become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)
Webinar: Three reasons why EOTs are booming in uncertain times
Answers to questions posed in the Webinar on 7 October 2020.
Practical difficulties with share plan valuations during Covid-19
A strong argument for issuing shares, but at what value
Share Plans Assistant - we have a vacancy
We re recruiting! Join our fantastic team at the RM2 Partnership as a Share Plans Assistant
What is the value of a share scheme in a recession?
How attracting and retaining staff need not break the bank if cash is tight
How will the rumoured Capital Gains Tax raid affect EOTs
Rumours have been circulating in the UK press about an increase in CGT
The Share Incentive Plan - fit for the Twenty First Century
Evidence exists that employee ownership can make a difference
RM2 Corporate Finance - we have vacancies
We are recruiting for EOT transaction advisers, from junior analysts to lead transaction advisers
Possible changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
The Chancellor announces a review of CGT and its reliefs - what might this mean for share schemes?
Top 50 employee owned companies in 2020
Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK
Ownership at Work publishes "A Partnership Fund for Jobs"
Think tank considers how Government can help small business with the crisis
What should I be mindful of when granting options?
An update on the taxation of share options with an appeal by HM Revenue & Customs
Furloughing and EMI & CSOP options
There are working time requirements for EMI options & employment consideration for CSOP
What is the benefit of having Dividend Shares in a SIP?
Dividend shares are often the forgotten relation in the Share Incentive Plan dynamic
What makes a successful employee share plan
Have a look at a case study of a successful Share Incentive Plan
Share plan annual return season is here
We have reached the end of the 2019/20 tax year, what do I need to report to HMRC?
What happens to my EMI options if I am furloughed?
HM Revenue & Customs are being requested to give concessions to avoid a disqualifying event
How employee ownership could save businesses in a coronavirus recession
Is it time to start thinking about business alternatives
RM2 are keeping calm and carrying on
It's clear these are unprecedented times - business as usual, but not business as normal
Entrepreneurs Relief - a change of name?
The Finance Bill 2020 potentially changes the name of entrepreneurs relief
Practical tips and guidance for Trustees
What businesses owned by employee ownership trusts (EOT) should know in this crisis
Summary of information concerning COVID-19
Business as usual, much of our work is conducted via phone, email or video call
Budget 2020 - Entrepreneurs Relief
RM2 say Hurrah for Enterprise Management Incentives and Employee Ownership Trusts
Have you considered - "What is work for?"
The impact of Automation and AI on the concept of work was discussed at the Robert Oakeshott Lecture
Employee Share Schemes - Gently Does It
Our advice is to step back, slow down and look at the five basic points before you press go
Employee Share Plan Returns - do you need help this year?
Save yourself a headache, we can prepare & file your returns for you.
What has the Governance Code ever done for us?
If you run a private company, or your company isn’t listed on the main market, you are probably…
Corporate Finance Associate - we have a vacancy
We are recruiting! Join our fantastic team at RM2 and enter the world of employee ownership
Employee Share Plans can be exceedingly complex in nature
Have you broken your share scheme? Are you stuck on the nitty gritty?
The Financial Conduct Authority bares its teeth
Senior employee fined for non compliance under the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
Happy New Year - our wish list for employee ownership in 2020
Last year we made predictions - this year we have a wish list!
What a year 2019 has been for share schemes and EOT transactions
We take a look at the big and small stories of the year....
Labour - Inclusive Ownership Fund and Employee Ownership Trust
Does the SIP solve Labour's Employee Ownership Questions?
The Employee Ownership Association's Conference, 2019
A sell out success - where did all these people come from?
Labour’s manifesto – not good news for employee ownership?
Their manifesto has promised the removal of entrepreneurs’ relief
Share Schemes - time to go back to basics
Exploring the fundamental elements in establishing and running an employee share scheme
Options or Shares - which should you choose?
One of the first questions when setting up a share scheme is should I give shares or options.
EMI share options and investment opportunities
Business looking for EMI share options are often those seeking investment under an EIS scheme
Be careful - a trap for the unwary - the loss of tax advantages
Making changes to your Enterprise Management Incentive options ("EMI")
EMI options - is my company carrying out a qualifying trade?
Companies need to meet various tests to qualify for the tax advantages
Employee Ownership Trusts: a sale alternative
Employee ownership in the UK has been thrust into the spotlight again, most recently as a…
The Source Conference wasn't your typical law conference
I was inspired to make myself a little bit famous and play with Lego!
RM2 advises on EOT Transaction for major law firm
Doyle Clayton, top ranked by Chambers Guide & top tier The Legal 500 firm becomes employee owned
Share Plans Assistant - we have a vacancy
We are recruiting! Join our fantastic team at the RM2 Partnership as a Share Plans Assistant
How big should share awards be - what is too large / too small?
We look at common factors affecting how many options to grant
RM2 awarded latest ISO 9001:2015 accreditation
We continue to meet the demanding requirements of this standard
EMI options - a recruitment tool for talent
How fast growing companies can attract and retain top talent to achieve success
One way to boost UK productivity & HMRC can help
Consider this naturally hypothetical scenario for a company with a strong business idea
Save our Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)
If you have the choice of an HMRC tax advantaged Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) or an...
Share plan annual returns deadline - 6th July
Have you done yours, & what will HM Revenue & Customs accept as a reasonable excuse?
Top 50 employee owned companies in 2019
Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK
Entrepreneurs' Relief and preference shares
HMRC loses their appeal at the First Tier Tribunal in the case Warshaw v HMRC
Building up to Employee Ownership Day
Employee ownership has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years in the UK
First Tier Tribunal - taxation of share options
Vermilion Holdings Ltd vs HM Revenue & Customs - will HMRC appeal the judgement?
EMI options, due diligence and the data room
Where good record keeping and share plan administration comes into its own
Fake News - Share Incentive Plan myths busted
A fantastically tax efficient share plan for both the employees and the company
Entrepreneurs' Relief - First Tier Tribunal
Decision upheld regarding one of the key tests for Entrepreneurs' Relief (5% of nominal capital)
Employee Share Schemes - acquiring shares after exercise
Dealing with bad leavers without attracting judicial disdain
RM2 becomes fully employee owned
Market leading share scheme and EOT consulting business converts to full employee ownership
Reflections on the British Isles Share Schemes Symposium
How to change the world - fascinating themes from this years' talks
Share plan annual returns are approaching
Do you have a last minute rush and panic, or do you plan ahead and have everything wrapped up?
Employee Ownership Trust Transactions
The Jack Fitzpatrick Memorial Lecture - progress on a succession solution
HM Revenue & Customs & EMI Valuations
Are HMRC baring their sharks teeth in relation to Enterprise Management Incentive valuations?
A zero tax employee share plan
The Share Incentive Plan ("SIP") sounds far too good to be true, so what are the rules?
Discretion and employee share schemes
Does the board have a totally free hand in saying who gets what and how they get it?
Costly mistakes - errors on share plan returns
Don't slip up with your plan administration, it's not worth the fines issued by HMRC
Investment Association's principles of remuneration
The IA published a revised version in November, what changed?
Our predictions for employee ownership in 2019
We make five bold predictions for what might happen in employee ownership
What a year 2018 has been for share schemes and EOT transactions
We take a look at the big and small stories of the year...….
Promised you a Miracle - recent case on ER
We translate the tedious legal jargon for you in a case about entrepreneurs relief
Entrepreneurs’ relief – why EMI is still the best option
A couple of weeks ago the Budget announced changes to entrepreneurs relief
Top 50 employee owned companies in 2018
Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK
Correcting mistakes in EMI option information
There is updated guidance in HMRC’s latest ERS bulletin which we summarise here
Hang in there Gromit – it’s all under (employee) control
Aardman Animations have made the jump to employee ownership
When is the best time to grant EMI options?
It goes without saying that, when share prices are low, that’s a good time to grant options, if…
Budget: October 2018
Entrepreneurs’ Relief changes - noting the particular impact on Enterprise Management Incentives
When ordinary shares are not ordinary
We published a blog on a couple who were able to benefit from entrepreneurs’ relief because
13 reasons to talk about the Share Incentive Plan
Employee ownership implemented correctly & communicated strongly can make a difference.
McDonnell, May and Employee Ownership
What does the Labour Party’s announcement mean for employee ownership?
Your Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme
Don't get caught out and unintentionally disqualify your EMI. If you think that any of the...
Don't kill your valued team's enthusiasm
So, you’re a business owner – what should you be saying about your plans to sell?
Getting your share plan right. Step 3. Valuation
It's important that you have a clear idea of what your shares are worth at the outset.
Is the law an ass with employee share plans?
There are certain legal requirements that company directors, in particular, need to know
5 myths to selling your business to employees
Some common misconceptions we encounter and have hopefully corrected...
Tribunal ruling on director loan accounts
The First Tier Tribunal has ruled director loan accounts written off were taxable as ….
Reports show EMI options hit record high
Employee ownership, and in particular EMI schemes are at their most popular level ever.
HMRC compliance reviews on share schemes
HMRC carry out compliance reviews on EMI, SAYE SIP and CSOP share schemes...
New changes to the UK Prospectus Rules
No need to publish a prospectus if certain conditions of total consideration are met
HMRC's crucial step into the future for EMI schemes
Today we received an email from HMRC agreeing a valuation for an EMI share scheme...
What IS an employee (this is not a silly question!)
If you’re running an employee share scheme is it always obvious who your employees are?
EMI - the economic rationale is alive and kicking
Recently the government issued a report by HMRC evaluating the EMI scheme.
The dog ate my share plan return and other excuses
HMRC are not known for accepting excuses for late filing of your share scheme annual returns
EBT and EOT trustees - step carefully
A recent case in the high court gives some helpful pointers about decision making by trustees
Why is a recruitment agency like a veg box?
In the last three weeks we've seen two very different companies become EOT's
Agreements Matter - what a founder overlooked
We asked both founder and employee the impact of setting up an EMI scheme
Valuation financing & distributable reserves (EOT)
When structuring the financing for an Employee Ownership Trust ("EOT") don't forget ….
When an EMI scheme won't work - the alternative
EMI is a great employee share scheme, but don't forget the tax advantaged CSOP
Interesting nuggets about EMI state aid approval
Businesses breathed a sigh of relief on 16 May when the EU commission announced ..
EOT - how much should a vendor sell?
One of the questions we get frequently from vendors is what percentage of the company's shares…
EMI options given green light by European Union
In April 2018, HMRC created concern that the availability of EMI tax relief was in doubt....
Most EMI's are not affected by lack of EU state aid
Temporary breach of EU law by the UK government could (in theory) negate tax reliefs for EMI…
The importance of employment status - get it right
A recent case emphasises the importance of being clear about employment status in relation to share…
Getting your share plan right - how much is too much?
How do you work out how much to give away under your share plan or option scheme....
EMI tax advantages and EU state aid withdrawal
There’s been plenty of noise in the last week about EU state aid and EMI options
Changing vesting provisions in share plans
The High Court recently ruled in favour of two former employees of Lloyd Bank plc, finding that…
Performance Targets - be careful what you wish for
Performance targets are a common feature in share plans, but are they really necessary?
Share plan return time is rapidly approaching
As we approach the end of the tax year our Operations Team start to think about share plan returns
Age discrimination and employee share plans
It may be appropriate for employers to discriminate based on age, but only in certain circumstances
Subsidiaries can stop company EMI qualification
Companies wishing to grant EMI options must meet certain requirements. One of these ....
Share scheme penalties for late returns
Dealing with share plan returns sounds pretty unexciting – until you get a penalty for not doing it…
Dilution affects employee share schemes too
We noticed that, as part of the recent Spring Statement,the government has decided
'Marketing and Communications Executive' vacancy
We are hiring! Join our team as a Marketing and Communications Executive...
Share Incentive Plan (SIP) - worth the wait?
The Chancellor recently answered an online question, regarding the tax advantaged SIP
Don’t let your ERS penalties snowball out of control
If you forget to register and file your share plan annual returns the penalties can soon add up...
Co-founder disputes: minimising damage
Fallings out between founders is sadly quite common among start-ups. What is just as...
Share buyback rules for private companies
The government recently announced a review of the share buyback rules, intended to identify...
Your share plan – get the first step right
We recently published an outline checklist for putting in place a share plan. Step one on that…
Directors’ duties – a company is not a piggy bank!
While there is not an obvious connection with employee share schemes, the recent case of Ball...
Building an employee ownership culture
Many long established family owned companies have a strong focus on sustainability and…
Tax returns – ignorance is no excuse
A recent First Tier Tax Tribunal judge has confirmed that ignorance of the law is no excuse…
Cyclops vs. HMRC: tax avoidance using loan notes
This case did not involve a one eyed Roman god, but it did provide an important ruling on tax…
Valuing shares: complexities and consequences
A recent case in the tax tribunals demonstrates that valuation of company shares, even when AIM...
Carillion – lessons learned for share schemes?
One of the issues raised in connection with the Carillion story in the last couple of days is the…
An all employee share plan needn’t mean losing control
Shareholders can often be understandably nervous about involving employees as shareholders in the…
Further consultation on UK Corporate Governance Code
The Financial Reporting Council (the “FRC”) have recently published a consultation document…
HMRC changes ahead: making tax compliance digital
Companies running share plans are already ahead of the game as regards online tax returns, with…
Employee Ownership Trust transaction finance
One of the first questions we often get from business owners looking into potentially selling their…
New year resolution – an MOT for your share plan?
Lots of us plan to get ourselves in shape at the start of the new year – there’s a lot to be said…
2017 – the year in employee share schemes
Traditionally, as the year ends, RM2 takes a look at the highlights of the year in share schemes...
Online Trust registration – further extension
Some good news for trustees and agents at a busy time – they now have until 5 March 2018 to...
Heads up - are you getting GDPR ready?
Data Protection Law is changing on 25 May 2018 when the General Data Protection Regulation...
Revised guidelines for executive pay and incentivisation
The Investment Association (‘IA’) has recently published a revised version of its...
What information should go in an EMI option agreement?
Some of the details needed in an EMI option agreement are self-explanatory – typically…
Employee Ownership Trusts are booming
The number of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) has increased to more than 150, according to the…
Employee share options: exercise discretion rationally
The High Court has provided a useful reminder of perhaps a common-sensical view that…
EMI qualifying requirements in a 'post-Brexit world'
Why don’t all other tax-advantaged employee share plans and EOTs have exclusions for…
Giving options to employees - what's the exercise price?
It's not immediately obvious why the exercise price is so important. This is one of the questions…
Simple employee share schemes (3. dilution)
This part of the series looks at dilution, or rather protecting specific groups from dilution. You…
Simple employee share schemes (2. termination)
Worry about what happens to an employee's options or shares when they leave can often lead to…
Simple employee share schemes (1. vesting conditions)
I love simple share scheme designs – they’re easier to manage, easier to explain...
Losing control, and other shareholder concerns
Shareholders can often be understandably nervous about involving employees as shareholders in the…
An Employee Benefit Trust must-read!
Up until recent times, the completion of a paper form 41G would suffice in notifying HMRC of a...
Salary sacrifice for company shares and options
I have been offered some shares in the Company I work for but I don’t have the money spare to pay…
Misunderstanding the Employee Benefit Trust
Many of our private company clients operate Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) as these can be…
Messed up notifying HMRC of an EMI award?
During April this year, HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) updated their guidance about errors...
Employee ownership and unemployment
I just finished reading a paper written by Corey Rosen, the founder of the National Center for…
Directors' discretion - be sure to handle with care
Many private companies are keen to implement a flexible share scheme and will frequently choose a…
Spring Budget Statement 2017: RM2 review
As might have been expected, given the Chancellor’s switch to the Autumn Budget...
My career: 30 years in employee ownership
This month, April 2017, marks my thirtieth year in the world of employee ownership. Back in the…
Using performance targets in your share plan
Private company owners who are giving up equity to employees will, not unreasonably, want to…
Get ready - share plan returns are approaching!
As we approach the end of the tax year, the RM2 Operations Team starts to think about the Share…
0T tax code back with vengeance
Share Incentive Plan tax savings: twice as nice!
The default tax position for employees acquiring shares in their employer is a charge to income…
Evolution of the Employee Ownership Trust
As part of the Chancellor’s 2014 budget, a new form of Employee Benefit Trust was created...
A reasonable excuse for late share plan returns?
At a recent share plans event, we were surprised to learn just how many companies fail to submit…
Does gender pay gap reporting need a tax professional?
Having had the delight of perusing the Draft Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information)…
TRIPLE the cash employees receive from selling shares
The fiendish complexity of the UK’s tax system can obscure just how high UK tax is on employment…
Top problems with in-house administration
Share plan administration is never easy, even if you are a small company with only a couple of…
2016 – the year in employee share schemes
There have been bigger issues in the world this year than share schemes. Nonetheless, it’s been…
Secretary: vital for employee share schemes
When designing and implementing an employee share scheme, the importance of a...
“One size fits all” - rarely the right approach
Now it seems that the Investment Association (IA) have started to acknowledge...
EOT vendor-financing - "baked in" or "bake off"?
A question that has been raised with RM2 a number of times in the context of structuring...
Employment status - was the Karate Kid an employee?
The Uber case is starting its journey through the court system; but other employment status…
Should EOT trustees ever be offshore?
Hopefully that headline has grabbed your attention, because for some this is a controversial…
HMRC valuation submissions - if it ain't broke?
When submitting an Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) valuation to HMRC for comment...
Enterprise Management Incentive share scheme
It’s easy to get lost in the complexity of regulations and tax rules around employee share…
Succession planning - EBT or EOT?
One question that comes up fairly often when speaking with clients regarding succession...
Can employee ownership boost sales?
Can employee ownership boost sales, profits and brand perception? A landmark survey of UK...
Meet the new boss - same as the old boss?
We are slowly getting to understand Theresa May’s priorities as prime minister. Obviously, Brexit...
Keeping employee share plans simple - and safe
Two separate companies have recently lost appeals against a PAYE charge on the acquisition of...
Keeping crime down with good admin!
As you may be aware, from April 2016 all non-listed companies and LLPs need to keep a register of...
Don't slip up with your SIP administration
Administering a Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is easy, isn’t it? It can be done in house, can’t it?...
HMRC guidance manual updates published
HMRC have recently published updates on their Employee Tax Advantaged Share Scheme User…
Don’t let your share scheme become a chamber of horrors
Share schemes offer companies and their employees many benefits. In turn, as legal...
The Investment Association's "MAR" clean-up
On 4 July, the Investment Association (“IA”) announced that it was revising its Principles of…
A reminder about the share scheme returns deadline
The absolute deadline for making online share schemes returns was 6 July. At RM2...
An introduction to Employee Ownership Trusts
If you’ve wanted to learn more about the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure introduced in...
Entrepreneurs’ relief - the devil in the detail
Obtaining entrepreneurs’ relief and a 10% capital gains tax rate for employee shareholders is not…
Planning for wider employee ownership
Business owners are attracted to employee share ownership for a variety of reasons...
Planning for a company sale to a third party
Many private companies put share options in place specifically to reward employees when there...
Financing: the subordinated vendor loan
Once a shareholder has decided to sell to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), how to finance...
Strike (share plan price) while the iron is hot!
Putting in place a share plan is not something that should be rushed into – particularly for…
The big question: why employee ownership?
RM2 clients are already convinced about the case for employee ownership. But prospective clients…
An endorsement of the Supreme Court approach
A recent First Tier Tax Tribunal decision has clearly followed the approach of the...
Share scheme returns: dividend taxation changes
As annual return time arrives for share schemes, it's important to remember the changes that apply…
Do we have a judicial anti-avoidance rule?
Following the recent decision of the Supreme Court in UBS AG v HMRC and DB Group Services...
Corporate finance: structuring an EOT transaction
This blog is the next instalment in our Corporate Finance series; regarding the use of an...
Important employment related securities
Due to HMRC technical difficulties when filing 2014/2015 annual share scheme returns...
Capital Gains Tax - curious thinking by the Chancellor?
Given the rather unexpected move of the Chancellor in Budget 2016 regarding the reduction...
The Budget 2016: a share scheme summary
The Chancellor’s Budget Statement yesterday had some important and surprising...
Entrepreneurs’ relief – careful record keeping vital
A recent case resulted in a shareholder being unable to claim entrepreneurs’ relief on the sale…
HMRC reinstates penalties for ERS filings
From 1 April 2016, you may be subject to penalties if you have failed to register your share...
Don't get disqualified: how to check your EMI
Companies that operate EMI options, and employees participating in EMI schemes, benefit
HMRC withdraws post transaction valuation checks
HMRC’s Shares & Assets Valuation (SAV) will be withdrawing its informal valuation check...
Business and employees: a common goal
CEO’s and their counterparts from industry leading companies across the world have long...
Share plan administration – should I outsource?
Share plan administration is never easy, even if you are a small company with only a couple of…
Google's employee engagement success
Google are renowned the world over for their employee engagement; their ability to attract and…
The Finance Bill 2016: share scheme impacts
At the end of last year, 9th December 2015, the draft Finance Bill 2016 was published as part of…
Employee share schemes: looking back over 2015
As 2015 comes to a close we take the opportunity to look back on the news that hit the share scheme…
Planning for the future: succession share schemes
Any diligent business owner will reach a point where they begin to plan for the future of their…
Increasing interest in growth shares for employees
During this time of increased economic activity, when companies are more optimistic...
The Autumn Statement 2015: RM2 review
Leaving aside the obvious political implications, in our view the most interesting parts of the…
If Carlsberg did benefits... flexible employee benefits
Carlsberg UK has recently re-launched their flexible benefits scheme for more than 1,700 employees…
EBTs – Rangers result strengthens HMRC attacks
Employee Benefit Trusts are constantly under attack by HMRC. Many are restricted in their...
RM2 review: HMRC employee share plan statistics
HMRC recently published statistics on employee share plans in operation between 2013 and 2014...
Rectification orders: to err is human; to forgive, divine
Trustees are only human, and it is possible to seek a rectification order where there has been a…
Taxing termination payments – a knotty issue
While not directly related to employee share schemes, this is a question that arises for many small…
Important share scheme returns information
Gabbi Stopp at ifsProShare was invited to join HMRC for a discussion surrounding the new...
Share schemes: an overabundance of choice?
As the economy picks up, interest in share schemes always increases (actually, it’s often better to…
How great are your employee share schemes?
Did you put in place a great share scheme this year? Did you take an existing share scheme and…
Sorry I'm late: filing annual share schemes returns
Our admin team was hard at work over summer, filing our clients' annual share schemes returns and…
Options or shares for consultants or self-employed
Private companies may want to offer options or shares to consultants or self-employed...
Unlisted companies - awarding shares to employees
Incentivising employees with awards of share offers a number of advantages. Unlike options…
Mott MacDonald: engineered for success
Number two on this year’s Employee Ownership Top 50 is Mott MacDonald Group Ltd, a 100%…
Performance by engagement: the Unipart way
Securing the number four position in this year’s Employee Ownership Top 50 is Unipart; known for…
The Summer Budget 2015: RM2 review
Nothing specific on share schemes was included in the budget but the Chancellor’s...
A heads up: changes to dividend taxation
The new Dividend Tax Allowance, together with revised dividend tax rates, will replace the existing…
Mother knows best: the case of the shadow Director
A recent case demonstrates the importance of providing full information to HMRC and...
The importance of employment status in share schemes
It’s not always clear whether a person is an employee or not, but why is employment status so…
Employee ownership: cocktail glass half full?
Last week, I got into a discussion on LinkedIn with a couple of acquaintances in the world of…
Entrepreneurs’ Relief: last remaining route?
The Budget has made changes to Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER), the relief that can reduce Capital...
When is an employee not an employee?
Employee share plans and entrepreneurs' relief will often require you to be certain whether...
Employee Benefits Awards: closer look at nominees
They’re deemed the providers of the Best Employee Share Schemes; we look at why...
Losing control: the EMI independence test
When a company becomes a subsidiary of another company, it clearly loses its independence – this is…
Why elections matter (for employee shares)
A quick look through the pledges of the parties in relation to employee share schemes may give us…
Share incentives and internationally mobile employees
For those of you lucky enough to jet around the world for work, hopefully business class, you may…
HMRC registration: Broadsword calling Danny Boy!
If you, or one of your clients, operates an employee share scheme, it MUST be registered on...
The EOA conference, November 2015
Nigel Mason, an RM2 director and long-time proponent of employee ownership, will be...
Employee owned business models: John Lewis
For many modern UK employers considering how to attract and retain talent in competitive…
Loss of tax relief by disqualification: a cautionary tale
One of the tests for a company to qualify for EMI share schemes is that it is not “a 51%…
Employee share scheme registration deadlines
If any of your clients have UK taxpayer employees receiving share/stock options, restricted share…
The Budget 2015 update: RM2 review
There’s always something in the Budget for small companies and/or shareholders to think...
Performance conditions disability discrimination
Companies using performance conditions in share schemes which aim to encourage good...
Employee shares are getting contagious!
It may only be March but this year has already seen several of our biggest banks and institutions…
When the going gets tough, the tough get creative
The job market of today is no longer as loaded in favour of the employer. Talented employees in...
The importance of good record keeping
Ensuring the implementation of any employee share scheme is an essential component…
RM2 experience: share schemes in private companies
RM2 has been designing, implementing and administering share schemes for private…
Share plan administration: why it’s important
Administration of share plans may sound a little tedious – but ignore it at your peril! Fail to...
Share scheme returns - chance for HMRC feedback
It’s been a challenging year for those of us completing share schemes returns. HMRC’s new online…
Entrepreneurs’ Relief: benefits under threat?
Recent announcements on Entrepreneurs’ Relief, and their potential impact, may result in the future…
Save As You Earn schemes – a better way?
I can’t disagree with the principle of the argument – SAYE schemes are a great way for employees to…
Professional advisors: working alongside RM2
RM2 specialise in employee share schemes. That’s it. So if an employee share scheme is right for…
Employee share plans: a view from a junior employee
Many years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in an employee share plan in a small...
Share schemes: 10 ways companies can grow
This blog looks at engineers, architects, management consultants, accountants, lawyers...
(S)EIS and employee share schemes
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) was introduced to encourage investment in small...
Entrepreneurial business share options & investors
Fast growing entrepreneurial business that implement EMI share options are very...
Autumn Statement 2014: B share schemes
George Osborne has it in for tax avoiders, and specifically noted “Special Purpose Share...
Autumn Statement 2014: share scheme aspects
Here are the key points of interest from Mr Osborne’s Autumn Statement. The government will not…
Autumn Statement 2014: tax recommendations
Mr Osborne said during his Autumn Statement that the government would be accepting “almost all of…
How big should employee share awards be?
When we begin to speak with clients about employee share plans, one of the questions we are…
Recruitment consultants: using share schemes
RM2 acts for companies in a wide variety of sectors. However, it is probably recruitment companies…
Tax deductions for a claw back of shares or a bonus
Imagine the situation where you get a bonus, it might be a decent bonus but there is a catch...
What will it cost me if I don’t use a share scheme?
The question we’re asked most often about setting up an employee share plans is “how much does it…
Employee Shareholder Status: worth a chance?
Last month we discussed the possible threat to the Company Share Option Plan (CSOP), due its…
IT consultancies are using employee share schemes
IT consultancies can take many forms – for example they may often use individual consultants in…
New Year’s resolutions: share schemes
Suddenly it’s September… Where did the year go? If you had big plans to put in place a share plan…
Employee share schemes – myths busted!
One reason to set up a share plan is to retain staff. There will be an initial outlay but how does…
Government consultation on “safe harbour” EBT
Does your private company use an EBT? Or have you considered using one, but decided against it?
Managing talent: keeping employees engaged
Let’s start at the beginning. You want a profitable business that is a good place to work...
EMI qualification: are you trading with a view to profit?
If your company has made a loss and you want to claim Corporation Tax loss relief, the company...
Employment Related Securities (ERS)
The online service for the registration and self-certification of employee share schemes...
A closer look at Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs)
Some months ago we wrote a number of blogs outlining the basic structure of a Trust, and how…
Managing a sale – don’t forget the share options!
Share options may not rate highly on the list of things the principal vendors will find themselves…
Watch out - the shareholders are revolting!
Shareholders in public companies are increasingly reluctant to support big payouts to executives…
Tax & remuneration – why is it so complicated?
Straightforward cash remuneration for employees is a thing of the past. Companies use a...
New HMRC templates for share scheme returns
2013/2014 is the last tax year in which you can use paper annual returns for share schemes...
New SAYE & SIP limits – impact on CSOP
One of the more welcome announcements from HMRC recently was the increase in limits for...
Employee Share Schemes – gently does it!
We're often contacted by private company owners who are keen to implement share plans for their...
Leasing a car through the company?
Watch out for a surprise tax charge – even if you are reimbursing the Company or even...
5 tips to maximise your employee share plan
You have invested in a share plan for employees and directors so you want to get the best value...
Share Incentive Plan (SIP): a plan for all seasons
This month, John Lewis Partnership celebrated spring by announcing celebrations for its 150th...
Huge windfalls from Employee Share Plans!
Earlier this month, Chris Thompson, an employee of Costa Coffee, received a massive £100,000 pay...
A letter from number 10 Downing Street
How exciting, have I got tickets in the ballot for the National Gardens Scheme, am I being called…
Employee share schemes: back to basics
With the Budget having just been announced, we felt it was a good time to go back to basics, and…
Family owned businesses, EBTs and inheritance tax
Some have been used for failed tax avoidance schemes but this articles explains how you can...
IPOs - what do they mean for employee share plans?
The Financial Times tells us that Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) are a six year high on the London…
Employee Share Schemes are moving online!
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is changing the way that share schemes are administered and...
The entrepreneur: routes to securing finance
One of the main issues often faced by start-up companies and growing businesses is the fact...
Remember the “spirit of the legislation”
A recent case highlights the importance of understanding not just the small print in the tax…
All fur coat and no NIC[er]s: employee shareholders
Where share awards and share option grants are made to employees of listed companies...
IfsProShare Awards for employee ownership
Last week the great and good gathered for the annual ifsProShare Awards, a celebration...
Employee ownership - where's the evidence?
In recent years we have been delighted to see increased momentum driving the growth of...
Changes to tax on shares less than market value
Employers may award shares on a nil or partly paid basis to employees. For tax purposes, the...
Why the UK tech sector favours share plans
Share options have always been an industry standard component of pay in the tech sector. Many…
EMI problem: closed door or locked door?
The Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) legislation is complex and once you have...