How I can help
Every engagement begins with a specific situation and a decision that has to be made. They determine the scope of the work and the result you should receive.
What is your situation?
A decision lies ahead Review of the structure
A change is approaching: stepping back from management, an heir or a new partner joining, the sale of a share. I review the founding documents, the agreements between the partners, the powers of attorney and the distribution of ownership and management. The result is a written conclusion setting out the points of instability identified, ranked by severity, and the sequence of the necessary actions.
The event has already occurred Assessment after an event
The death or serious illness of a partner, a dispute between the owners, a divorce, the sudden departure of the managing director. The first task is to establish the position: who owns what, who may represent the company, which time limits are running, what must be done at once and what can wait. The result is a written assessment and a list of the urgent actions.
An independent opinion is needed Second opinion
You have a plan, a contract, a will or a structure prepared by another specialist and want an independent review before you sign or apply it. I examine what consequences would follow from a death, a dispute, a sale or a partner’s exit, and whether the documents serve the stated purpose. The result is a written opinion on what works, what does not and what is missing. A second opinion does not require you to change your advisers.
A difficult conversation lies ahead Conversation with a neutral participant
Partners or family members need to make a decision, but the conversation between them is blocked or is expected to be difficult. I agree with the participants how the process will run, hold separate conversations where necessary and chair the joint meeting. The aim is to clarify the interests, the possible solutions and the arrangements reached. Where there is agreement, we also agree how it will be put in writing. In this case I act as a mediator, not as the representative of one of the parties.
The work begins by clarifying the situation and the first task required. Where a review of documents and relationships is needed, its scope is determined in advance.
For a review with a scope determined in advance, the usual time for the written opinion is up to 10 working days from receipt of the necessary documents and information. The specific time is stated in the proposal. Urgent actions are agreed separately.
Forms of work
Review
A limited scope, determined in advance. It ends with a written conclusion or opinion that has value in its own right, whether or not the work continues.
Building
On the basis of the review, the solutions and the documents are prepared: articles of association or statutes, an agreement between the partners, rules on the transfer and inheritance of shares, powers of attorney, family rules on ownership and management. Where the solutions require the consent of several people, I conduct the necessary conversations between them. Where a tax adviser, a valuer or another specialist is needed, I coordinate their involvement where necessary and as agreed.
Standing adviser
A long-term engagement for owners with whom an initial review has already been carried out. It includes a periodic review and participation in decisions on ownership, management and succession that are defined in advance. The initiative for a review does not rest with the client alone. Once a year I summarise in writing the updates required. Where a significant change in the relevant legislation is identified, or in circumstances of which I have been informed, we discuss whether further action is needed. The specific scope, the manner of interaction and the response times are agreed in advance. I work with no more than 10 owners or families at a time in this form.
The fee and the manner of payment are set out in the written proposal and agreed before the work begins.
Who this work is suited to
My work is suited to business owners, partners and families when a specific document or transaction requires its consequences for ownership, management or the relations between those involved to be examined as well. If the task falls outside this scope, I will tell you so at the outset and, where I can, direct you to an appropriate specialist.
What you receive
Clarity about what is settled, where dependencies and risks remain and what actions are needed. Depending on the engagement, you receive a written opinion, an action plan or prepared documents.
Where implementation follows, the work aims at less dependence on one person, a clearer allocation of rights and responsibilities and a better separation of personal assets from the risks of the business.
The steps from the first conversation to the result, the terms of the meeting and the answers to frequent questions are set out on the page “How we would work together” →