Michael Duffy

Could restructuring your options for shareholdings help you unlock the new £2.5m BPR allowance, or create new risks? In Business & Accountancy Daily, Private Wealth Senior Associate, James Woods‑Davison explains that while the increased allowance offers inheritance tax opportunities, having multiple minority shareholdings can expose businesses to governance pressures and unfair‑prejudice claims. Strong governance and clear decision‑making are essential to protect long‑term value.

Senior Partner, Andrea Zavos will speak at the Trusts and Estates Litigation Forum on a panel exploring the evolving challenges facing trustees during periods of uncertainty. The session will highlight key emerging risks – including criminal investigations, privacy issues, governance failures and recent contentious decisions in Guernsey and Liechtenstein. She will be joined by Basil Zirinis, Johannes Gasser and Simon Davies.

In her guest blog for Remember A Charity, Private Wealth Partner Clare Stirzaker reflects on how philanthropy is becoming an increasingly thoughtful part of wealth planning. She shows how advisers now help clients frame their values and long‑term intentions, moving beyond a purely technical approach. Clare also emphasises that impactful giving relies on coordinated thinking across the advisory landscape, where legal, financial and investment professionals work together to support clients in shaping purposeful, well‑rounded legacy plans.

The Finance Bill published yesterday confirms that, as we highlighted in our 23 December briefing, the increased £2.5m inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business property will apply from 6 April 2026. Qualifying ‘relevant property’ trusts can also benefit from 100% relief up to this threshold, aligning trustee allowances with individual transfers.