Wessex Woodland Management, a bespoke woodland management services provider, recently instructed Herrington Carmichael LLP and Crowe U.K. LLP to advise on structuring a strategic investment from third party investors which resulted in a corporate re-organisation and enabled the shareholders of the business to realise value that they have accrued in the business over the 30 years since its inception in 1993.
Jane Mackay and Tiina Weekes of Crowe oversaw the tax structuring of the investment and re-organisation, enabling the shareholders to realise the value accrued and to create a structure that will allow employees to invest in the ownership of the business in a tax-efficient manner.
Yavan Brar and Chris Gemson from the Corporate Team at Herrington Carmichael provided advice on the legal structure, share structure and implemented the tax structure, which included advice provided on a complex earn-out structure and advice in structuring an incentivisation plan for employees of the business. Michelle Lamberth assisted with the corporate governance aspects of the transaction. Both Herrington Carmichael and Crowe provided timely support on the transaction which enabled a completion prior to the 2021 Budget.
The investment received will enable the business to continue its exponential growth over the coming years with the additional support of the third-party investors and the participation of employees as shareholders.
“Herrington Carmichael and Crowe provided high-quality advice and support in enabling us to complete the restructure and investment. Jane and Tiina were invaluable in helping explain the tax implications of the structure in a clear and concise manner, and Yavan and Chris guided us smoothly through the transaction providing expert advice and demonstrating great professionalism throughout. We are delighted with the outcome and our thanks go to the Crowe and Herrington Carmichael teams.”David Hunt, Director of Wessex Woodland Management
