Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Managing partner; financial services, private wealth, real estate and construction; corporate tax.

James specialises in a wide range of taxation matters. His principal emphasis lies in four main areas: corporate tax, including company acquisitions and disposals, corporate reconstructions and private equity transactions; financial services and funds taxation; property tax, specifically inward investment; and employee benefits, including work on ESOPs, EMI schemes and approved/unapproved share incentive schemes. Experience: advising a leading UK investment manager on its conversion to an LLP, and related staff incentive arrangements; handling the complex tax aspects of a major restructuring for a leading management, systems and technology consultancy operating worldwide, involving a court-approved scheme of arrangement and return of capital; advising on the introduction of a bespoke share incentive scheme for a private equity-backed trading group.