Blog/ Latest News

A strong argument for issuing shares, but at what value

We re recruiting! Join our fantastic team at the RM2 Partnership as a Share Plans Assistant

How attracting and retaining staff need not break the bank if cash is tight

Rumours have been circulating in the UK press about an increase in CGT

Evidence exists that employee ownership can make a difference

We are recruiting for EOT transaction advisers, from junior analysts to lead transaction advisers

The Chancellor announces a review of CGT and its reliefs - what might this mean for share schemes?

Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK

Think tank considers how Government can help small business with the crisis

An update on the taxation of share options with an appeal by HM Revenue & Customs

There are working time requirements for EMI options & employment consideration for CSOP

Dividend shares are often the forgotten relation in the Share Incentive Plan dynamic

Have a look at a case study of a successful Share Incentive Plan

We have reached the end of the 2019/20 tax year, what do I need to report to HMRC?

HM Revenue & Customs are being requested to give concessions to avoid a disqualifying event

Is it time to start thinking about business alternatives

It's clear these are unprecedented times - business as usual, but not business as normal

The Finance Bill 2020 potentially changes the name of entrepreneurs relief

What businesses owned by employee ownership trusts (EOT) should know in this crisis

Business as usual, much of our work is conducted via phone, email or video call

RM2 say Hurrah for Enterprise Management Incentives and Employee Ownership Trusts

The impact of Automation and AI on the concept of work was discussed at the Robert Oakeshott Lecture

Our advice is to step back, slow down and look at the five basic points before you press go

Save yourself a headache, we can prepare & file your returns for you.

If you run a private company, or your company isn’t listed on the main market, you are probably…

We are recruiting! Join our fantastic team at RM2 and enter the world of employee ownership

Have you broken your share scheme? Are you stuck on the nitty gritty?

Senior employee fined for non compliance under the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)

Last year we made predictions - this year we have a wish list!

We take a look at the big and small stories of the year....

Does the SIP solve Labour's Employee Ownership Questions?

A sell out success - where did all these people come from?

Their manifesto has promised the removal of entrepreneurs’ relief

Exploring the fundamental elements in establishing and running an employee share scheme

One of the first questions when setting up a share scheme is should I give shares or options.

Business looking for EMI share options are often those seeking investment under an EIS scheme

Making changes to your Enterprise Management Incentive options ("EMI")

Companies need to meet various tests to qualify for the tax advantages

Employee ownership in the UK has been thrust into the spotlight again, most recently as a…

I was inspired to make myself a little bit famous and play with Lego!

Doyle Clayton, top ranked by Chambers Guide & top tier The Legal 500 firm becomes employee owned

We are recruiting! Join our fantastic team at the RM2 Partnership as a Share Plans Assistant

We look at common factors affecting how many options to grant

We continue to meet the demanding requirements of this standard

How fast growing companies can attract and retain top talent to achieve success

Consider this naturally hypothetical scenario for a company with a strong business idea

If you have the choice of an HMRC tax advantaged Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) or an...

Have you done yours, & what will HM Revenue & Customs accept as a reasonable excuse?

Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK

HMRC loses their appeal at the First Tier Tribunal in the case Warshaw v HMRC

Employee ownership has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years in the UK

Vermilion Holdings Ltd vs HM Revenue & Customs - will HMRC appeal the judgement?

Where good record keeping and share plan administration comes into its own

A fantastically tax efficient share plan for both the employees and the company

Decision upheld regarding one of the key tests for Entrepreneurs' Relief (5% of nominal capital)

Dealing with bad leavers without attracting judicial disdain

Market leading share scheme and EOT consulting business converts to full employee ownership

How to change the world - fascinating themes from this years' talks

Do you have a last minute rush and panic, or do you plan ahead and have everything wrapped up?

The Jack Fitzpatrick Memorial Lecture - progress on a succession solution

Are HMRC baring their sharks teeth in relation to Enterprise Management Incentive valuations?

The Share Incentive Plan ("SIP") sounds far too good to be true, so what are the rules?

Does the board have a totally free hand in saying who gets what and how they get it?

Don't slip up with your plan administration, it's not worth the fines issued by HMRC

The IA published a revised version in November, what changed?

We make five bold predictions for what might happen in employee ownership

We take a look at the big and small stories of the year...….

We translate the tedious legal jargon for you in a case about entrepreneurs relief

A couple of weeks ago the Budget announced changes to entrepreneurs relief

Each year RM2 compiles a list of the largest 50 employee owned companies in the UK

There is updated guidance in HMRC’s latest ERS bulletin which we summarise here

Aardman Animations have made the jump to employee ownership

It goes without saying that, when share prices are low, that’s a good time to grant options, if…

Entrepreneurs’ Relief changes - noting the particular impact on Enterprise Management Incentives

We published a blog on a couple who were able to benefit from entrepreneurs’ relief because

Employee ownership implemented correctly & communicated strongly can make a difference.

What does the Labour Party’s announcement mean for employee ownership?

Don't get caught out and unintentionally disqualify your EMI. If you think that any of the...

So, you’re a business owner – what should you be saying about your plans to sell?

It's important that you have a clear idea of what your shares are worth at the outset.

There are certain legal requirements that company directors, in particular, need to know

Some common misconceptions we encounter and have hopefully corrected...

The First Tier Tribunal has ruled director loan accounts written off were taxable as ….

Employee ownership, and in particular EMI schemes are at their most popular level ever.

HMRC carry out compliance reviews on EMI, SAYE SIP and CSOP share schemes...

No need to publish a prospectus if certain conditions of total consideration are met

Today we received an email from HMRC agreeing a valuation for an EMI share scheme...

If you’re running an employee share scheme is it always obvious who your employees are?

Recently the government issued a report by HMRC evaluating the EMI scheme.

HMRC are not known for accepting excuses for late filing of your share scheme annual returns

A recent case in the high court gives some helpful pointers about decision making by trustees

In the last three weeks we've seen two very different companies become EOT's

We asked both founder and employee the impact of setting up an EMI scheme

When structuring the financing for an Employee Ownership Trust ("EOT") don't forget ….

EMI is a great employee share scheme, but don't forget the tax advantaged CSOP

Businesses breathed a sigh of relief on 16 May when the EU commission announced ..

One of the questions we get frequently from vendors is what percentage of the company's shares…

In April 2018, HMRC created concern that the availability of EMI tax relief was in doubt....

Temporary breach of EU law by the UK government could (in theory) negate tax reliefs for EMI…

A recent case emphasises the importance of being clear about employment status in relation to share…

How do you work out how much to give away under your share plan or option scheme....

There’s been plenty of noise in the last week about EU state aid and EMI options

The High Court recently ruled in favour of two former employees of Lloyd Bank plc, finding that…

Performance targets are a common feature in share plans, but are they really necessary?

As we approach the end of the tax year our Operations Team start to think about share plan returns

It may be appropriate for employers to discriminate based on age, but only in certain circumstances

Companies wishing to grant EMI options must meet certain requirements. One of these ....

Dealing with share plan returns sounds pretty unexciting – until you get a penalty for not doing it…

We noticed that, as part of the recent Spring Statement,the government has decided

We are hiring! Join our team as a Marketing and Communications Executive...

The Chancellor recently answered an online question, regarding the tax advantaged SIP

If you forget to register and file your share plan annual returns the penalties can soon add up...

Fallings out between founders is sadly quite common among start-ups. What is just as...

The government recently announced a review of the share buyback rules, intended to identify...

We recently published an outline checklist for putting in place a share plan. Step one on that…

While there is not an obvious connection with employee share schemes, the recent case of Ball...

Many long established family owned companies have a strong focus on sustainability and…

A recent First Tier Tax Tribunal judge has confirmed that ignorance of the law is no excuse…

This case did not involve a one eyed Roman god, but it did provide an important ruling on tax…

A recent case in the tax tribunals demonstrates that valuation of company shares, even when AIM...

One of the issues raised in connection with the Carillion story in the last couple of days is the…

Shareholders can often be understandably nervous about involving employees as shareholders in the…

The Financial Reporting Council (the “FRC”) have recently published a consultation document…

Companies running share plans are already ahead of the game as regards online tax returns, with…

One of the first questions we often get from business owners looking into potentially selling their…

Lots of us plan to get ourselves in shape at the start of the new year – there’s a lot to be said…

Traditionally, as the year ends, RM2 takes a look at the highlights of the year in share schemes...

Some good news for trustees and agents at a busy time – they now have until 5 March 2018 to...

Data Protection Law is changing on 25 May 2018 when the General Data Protection Regulation...

The Investment Association (‘IA’) has recently published a revised version of its...

Some of the details needed in an EMI option agreement are self-explanatory – typically…

The number of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) has increased to more than 150, according to the…

The High Court has provided a useful reminder of perhaps a common-sensical view that…

Why don’t all other tax-advantaged employee share plans and EOTs have exclusions for…

It's not immediately obvious why the exercise price is so important. This is one of the questions…

This part of the series looks at dilution, or rather protecting specific groups from dilution. You…

Worry about what happens to an employee's options or shares when they leave can often lead to…

I love simple share scheme designs – they’re easier to manage, easier to explain...

Shareholders can often be understandably nervous about involving employees as shareholders in the…

Up until recent times, the completion of a paper form 41G would suffice in notifying HMRC of a...

I have been offered some shares in the Company I work for but I don’t have the money spare to pay…

Many of our private company clients operate Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) as these can be…

During April this year, HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) updated their guidance about errors...

I just finished reading a paper written by Corey Rosen, the founder of the National Center for…

Many private companies are keen to implement a flexible share scheme and will frequently choose a…

As might have been expected, given the Chancellor’s switch to the Autumn Budget...

This month, April 2017, marks my thirtieth year in the world of employee ownership. Back in the…

Private company owners who are giving up equity to employees will, not unreasonably, want to…

As we approach the end of the tax year, the RM2 Operations Team starts to think about the Share…

As part of the Chancellor’s 2014 budget, a new form of Employee Benefit Trust was created...

The default tax position for employees acquiring shares in their employer is a charge to income…

At a recent share plans event, we were surprised to learn just how many companies fail to submit…

Having had the delight of perusing the Draft Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information)…

The fiendish complexity of the UK’s tax system can obscure just how high UK tax is on employment…

Share plan administration is never easy, even if you are a small company with only a couple of…

There have been bigger issues in the world this year than share schemes. Nonetheless, it’s been…

When designing and implementing an employee share scheme, the importance of a...

Now it seems that the Investment Association (IA) have started to acknowledge...

A question that has been raised with RM2 a number of times in the context of structuring...

The Uber case is starting its journey through the court system; but other employment status…

Hopefully that headline has grabbed your attention, because for some this is a controversial…

When submitting an Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) valuation to HMRC for comment...

It’s easy to get lost in the complexity of regulations and tax rules around employee share…

One question that comes up fairly often when speaking with clients regarding succession...

Can employee ownership boost sales, profits and brand perception? A landmark survey of UK...

We are slowly getting to understand Theresa May’s priorities as prime minister. Obviously, Brexit...

Two separate companies have recently lost appeals against a PAYE charge on the acquisition of...

As you may be aware, from April 2016 all non-listed companies and LLPs need to keep a register of...

Administering a Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is easy, isn’t it? It can be done in house, can’t it?...

HMRC have recently published updates on their Employee Tax Advantaged Share Scheme User…

Share schemes offer companies and their employees many benefits. In turn, as legal...

On 4 July, the Investment Association (“IA”) announced that it was revising its Principles of…

The absolute deadline for making online share schemes returns was 6 July. At RM2...

If you’ve wanted to learn more about the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure introduced in...

Obtaining entrepreneurs’ relief and a 10% capital gains tax rate for employee shareholders is not…

Business owners are attracted to employee share ownership for a variety of reasons...

Many private companies put share options in place specifically to reward employees when there...

Once a shareholder has decided to sell to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), how to finance...

Putting in place a share plan is not something that should be rushed into – particularly for…

RM2 clients are already convinced about the case for employee ownership. But prospective clients…

A recent First Tier Tax Tribunal decision has clearly followed the approach of the...

As annual return time arrives for share schemes, it's important to remember the changes that apply…

Following the recent decision of the Supreme Court in UBS AG v HMRC and DB Group Services...

This blog is the next instalment in our Corporate Finance series; regarding the use of an...

Due to HMRC technical difficulties when filing 2014/2015 annual share scheme returns...

Given the rather unexpected move of the Chancellor in Budget 2016 regarding the reduction...

The Chancellor’s Budget Statement yesterday had some important and surprising...

A recent case resulted in a shareholder being unable to claim entrepreneurs’ relief on the sale…

From 1 April 2016, you may be subject to penalties if you have failed to register your share...

Companies that operate EMI options, and employees participating in EMI schemes, benefit

HMRC’s Shares & Assets Valuation (SAV) will be withdrawing its informal valuation check...

CEO’s and their counterparts from industry leading companies across the world have long...

Share plan administration is never easy, even if you are a small company with only a couple of…

Google are renowned the world over for their employee engagement; their ability to attract and…

At the end of last year, 9th December 2015, the draft Finance Bill 2016 was published as part of…

As 2015 comes to a close we take the opportunity to look back on the news that hit the share scheme…

Any diligent business owner will reach a point where they begin to plan for the future of their…

During this time of increased economic activity, when companies are more optimistic...

Leaving aside the obvious political implications, in our view the most interesting parts of the…

Carlsberg UK has recently re-launched their flexible benefits scheme for more than 1,700 employees…

Employee Benefit Trusts are constantly under attack by HMRC. Many are restricted in their...

HMRC recently published statistics on employee share plans in operation between 2013 and 2014...

Trustees are only human, and it is possible to seek a rectification order where there has been a…

While not directly related to employee share schemes, this is a question that arises for many small…

Gabbi Stopp at ifsProShare was invited to join HMRC for a discussion surrounding the new...

As the economy picks up, interest in share schemes always increases (actually, it’s often better to…

Did you put in place a great share scheme this year? Did you take an existing share scheme and…

Our admin team was hard at work over summer, filing our clients' annual share schemes returns and…

Private companies may want to offer options or shares to consultants or self-employed...

Incentivising employees with awards of share offers a number of advantages. Unlike options…

Number two on this year’s Employee Ownership Top 50 is Mott MacDonald Group Ltd, a 100%…

Securing the number four position in this year’s Employee Ownership Top 50 is Unipart; known for…

Nothing specific on share schemes was included in the budget but the Chancellor’s...

The new Dividend Tax Allowance, together with revised dividend tax rates, will replace the existing…

A recent case demonstrates the importance of providing full information to HMRC and...

It’s not always clear whether a person is an employee or not, but why is employment status so…

Last week, I got into a discussion on LinkedIn with a couple of acquaintances in the world of…

The Budget has made changes to Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER), the relief that can reduce Capital...

Employee share plans and entrepreneurs' relief will often require you to be certain whether...

They’re deemed the providers of the Best Employee Share Schemes; we look at why...

When a company becomes a subsidiary of another company, it clearly loses its independence – this is…

A quick look through the pledges of the parties in relation to employee share schemes may give us…

For those of you lucky enough to jet around the world for work, hopefully business class, you may…

If you, or one of your clients, operates an employee share scheme, it MUST be registered on...

Nigel Mason, an RM2 director and long-time proponent of employee ownership, will be...

For many modern UK employers considering how to attract and retain talent in competitive…

One of the tests for a company to qualify for EMI share schemes is that it is not “a 51%…

If any of your clients have UK taxpayer employees receiving share/stock options, restricted share…

There’s always something in the Budget for small companies and/or shareholders to think...

Companies using performance conditions in share schemes which aim to encourage good...

It may only be March but this year has already seen several of our biggest banks and institutions…

The job market of today is no longer as loaded in favour of the employer. Talented employees in...

Ensuring the implementation of any employee share scheme is an essential component…

RM2 has been designing, implementing and administering share schemes for private…

Administration of share plans may sound a little tedious – but ignore it at your peril! Fail to...

It’s been a challenging year for those of us completing share schemes returns. HMRC’s new online…

Recent announcements on Entrepreneurs’ Relief, and their potential impact, may result in the future…

I can’t disagree with the principle of the argument – SAYE schemes are a great way for employees to…

RM2 specialise in employee share schemes. That’s it. So if an employee share scheme is right for…

Many years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in an employee share plan in a small...

This blog looks at engineers, architects, management consultants, accountants, lawyers...

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) was introduced to encourage investment in small...

Fast growing entrepreneurial business that implement EMI share options are very...

George Osborne has it in for tax avoiders, and specifically noted “Special Purpose Share...

Here are the key points of interest from Mr Osborne’s Autumn Statement. The government will not…

Mr Osborne said during his Autumn Statement that the government would be accepting “almost all of…

When we begin to speak with clients about employee share plans, one of the questions we are…

RM2 acts for companies in a wide variety of sectors. However, it is probably recruitment companies…

Imagine the situation where you get a bonus, it might be a decent bonus but there is a catch...

The question we’re asked most often about setting up an employee share plans is “how much does it…

Last month we discussed the possible threat to the Company Share Option Plan (CSOP), due its…

IT consultancies can take many forms – for example they may often use individual consultants in…

Suddenly it’s September… Where did the year go? If you had big plans to put in place a share plan…

Does your private company use an EBT? Or have you considered using one, but decided against it?

Let’s start at the beginning. You want a profitable business that is a good place to work...

One reason to set up a share plan is to retain staff. There will be an initial outlay but how does…

If your company has made a loss and you want to claim Corporation Tax loss relief, the company...

The online service for the registration and self-certification of employee share schemes...

Share options may not rate highly on the list of things the principal vendors will find themselves…

Shareholders in public companies are increasingly reluctant to support big payouts to executives…

Straightforward cash remuneration for employees is a thing of the past. Companies use a...

Some months ago we wrote a number of blogs outlining the basic structure of a Trust, and how…

2013/2014 is the last tax year in which you can use paper annual returns for share schemes...

One of the more welcome announcements from HMRC recently was the increase in limits for...

We're often contacted by private company owners who are keen to implement share plans for their...

Watch out for a surprise tax charge – even if you are reimbursing the Company or even...

You have invested in a share plan for employees and directors so you want to get the best value...

This month, John Lewis Partnership celebrated spring by announcing celebrations for its 150th...

Earlier this month, Chris Thompson, an employee of Costa Coffee, received a massive £100,000 pay...

How exciting, have I got tickets in the ballot for the National Gardens Scheme, am I being called…

With the Budget having just been announced, we felt it was a good time to go back to basics, and…

Some have been used for failed tax avoidance schemes but this articles explains how you can...

The Financial Times tells us that Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) are a six year high on the London…

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is changing the way that share schemes are administered and...

One of the main issues often faced by start-up companies and growing businesses is the fact...

A recent case highlights the importance of understanding not just the small print in the tax…

Where share awards and share option grants are made to employees of listed companies...

Last week the great and good gathered for the annual ifsProShare Awards, a celebration...

In recent years we have been delighted to see increased momentum driving the growth of...

Employers may award shares on a nil or partly paid basis to employees. For tax purposes, the...

Share options have always been an industry standard component of pay in the tech sector. Many…

The Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) legislation is complex and once you have...