England - London • Employment

Stephenson Harwood

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Stephenson Harwood‘s employee share scheme and incentives team advises on numerous employments terminations and hires, cash incentive arrangements and regulatory remuneration issues. The group regularly assists an array of AIM traded clients, private equity portfolio companies and other private companies. Team head Nicholas Stretch is praised for his ability to simplify 'the complex area of share incentives'.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent understanding of share plans and how companies can get the most out of their use.’

  • ‘Nicholas Stretch is very likable and his experience is exceptional. He is a joy to work with.’

  • ‘The team at Stephenson Harwood is knowledgeable, practical and very responsive. Extremely easy to work with and proactive in getting in touch about potential changes.’

  • ‘Nicholas Stretch is extremely approachable, a pleasure to work with - he simplifies the complex area of share incentives.’

Key clients

  • Steer Davies Gleave
  • Liberum
  • Abellio
  • Bowmark Capital
  • Hotel Chocolat
  • Futura Medical
  • FPE

Work highlights

  • Acted for Steer Davies & Gleave Limited on an internal reorganisation which had a number of complicated employee share plan and trust aspects.
  • Acted for Abellio and a company which has been set up as a buy-out vehicle to acquire the operator of a number of train and bus routes to establish a new share incentive arrangement.
  • Advised Hotel Chocolat on number of incentives-related matters this year.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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Nicholas Stretch

Nicholas Stretch

Hall of fameStephenson Harwood

Nicholas has over 25 years' experience of advising companies on all aspects of employee incentives and remuneration matters. Valued by clients for his pragmatic and commercial approach, while having an in-depth knowledge of the area, he is recognised as a leading individual practising in employee incentives by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK. Nicholas advises on share plans, management incentives, bonus arrangements and remuneration-related issues. He has particular expertise in the design and implementation of bespoke share plans including advising on the tax structuring and corporate governance aspects.  He also has considerable experience of advising on the impact of corporate transactions on employee incentives, including mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings, including on the Alternative Investment Market. In addition, Nicholas works closely with Stephenson Harwood's employment team to advise on senior level appointments, remuneration and terminations, including compliance with relevant financial services remuneration codes. He is a former chairman of Share Plan Lawyers, the UK body for lawyers in this area, and also former chairman of the QCA Share Schemes Expert Group.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nicholas Stretch