Your wealth journey is unique. We’re here to find the best solutions for you, which may not always be a traditional trust structure.
Whether your wealth and assets are best placed in multiple jurisdictions or in alternative structures, we tailor our services to fit you. We’re highly experienced in establishing and managing a range of wealth structures, including:
A FIC is a private company where family members are the shareholders. They are excellent corporate vehicles for succession planning. FICs are particularly beneficial to clients who are resident and domiciled in the UK.
Usually, parents will manage the day-to-day company affairs and sit on the Board. Parents will often transfer the value to children, who will own equitable interest in the shares. Different classes of shares can be issued with varying voting and decision-making rights to safeguard the interests for future generations.
Foundations are often considered a hybrid of a trust and a company. They are separate legal entities with no beneficial owners and are incorporated on instruction of a founder, with the legal and beneficial title held by the foundation itself.
Family foundations are particularly beneficial for clients in civil law jurisdictions which may not be familiar with the distinction between legal and beneficial ownership. They offer succession, wealth planning and philanthropic solutions.
Governed by a charter and rules, foundations can be tailored to suit the wishes of each family. They can protect the younger generations from the complexities of the family’s day to day affairs and finances while providing a gateway for their future involvement.
The benefit of limited partnerships is that your financial liability will be limited to the capital amount you invested. They are often used by private equity clients for listed investments, where the partner does not necessarily want involvement in the day-to-day management of the partnership.
Governed by a Limited Partnership Agreement, a limited partnership can be a flexible way to meet the objectives of an investor and documents the relationship between all interested parties, whilst limiting liability.
A PTC is a privately owned company which acts as the corporate trustee of one or more family trusts. They are controlled by a board of directors who undertake trustee decision-making duties regarding the administration of the trust(s).
PTCs allow families, or their trusted advisers, to be actively involved in the administration of the trust(s) as directors of the trustee, adding their breadth of knowledge to the decision-making process. PTCs are particularly beneficial for the gradual involvement of family members in the structure with wealth succession and family governance at the forefront.
PCCs are made up of a core with several different cells, which allow for the segregation of assets. Contracted liability can be limited to a specified pool of assets in each cell, making it a popular vehicle for families with assets across multiple classes.
*Guernsey only
A PIF can be a useful structure for private capital, family office and closely held investment arrangements. In Guernsey, the regime is designed to offer a streamlined fund model with an emphasis on governance and oversight.
PIFs may be suitable for holding a range of assets, including private equity, venture capital and real estate. They can provide a flexible way to bring together investments within a single structure, while supporting clear administration, reporting and long-term planning.
An SPV is a standalone company established for a particular purpose, such as holding an asset, supporting a financing arrangement or sitting within a wider investment structure.
Because an SPV is separate from other entities, it can help isolate risk, ring-fence assets and provide clarity around ownership and liabilities. SPVs are often used where a focused and well-defined structure is needed for a specific investment, transaction or family office arrangement.
An orphan structure is typically used where it is important for a special purpose vehicle to be legally separate from the original sponsor or wider group. This is usually achieved by holding the shares through an independent purpose trust, foundation or similar arrangement, so that the vehicle is not owned in the conventional sense.
Orphan structures are often used in transactions where ring-fencing, independence and risk separation are important. They can be particularly helpful in financing, securitisation and other complex structuring arrangements where it is important to keep the vehicle distinct from other assets and liabilities.
