What sets Stephen apart?
Some of the more esoteric areas that Stephen specialises in are employee incentives and in particular the complex employment related securities rules, share valuations, and large corporate due diligence.
Quite often tax is an after-thought in M&A but it can represent a significant risk area for buyers. Tax is a constantly changing and increasingly complex landscape, so the sooner that tax is considered in a transaction, the less likely that unforeseen liabilities will arise.
Stephen prides himself on being able to communicate in a plain speaking way, which he admits is not always easy when tax legislation can be incredibly complicated.
Stephen's service expertise
Corporate and Business Tax
- Acts for corporations and their shareholders across a broad range of sectors
- Responsible for the management of the tax compliance process for the firm’s larger corporate clients as well as providing advice on areas such as capital allowances optimisation, employee incentives, corporate M&A and research and development
- Member of HMRC’s Fiscal Forum looking at tax aspects of valuation
Research and Development
- Member of the firm’s dedicated research and development team identifying and maximising claims for a large number of clients across a number of different sectors
Shareholder Taxation including M&A and transactions
- Deals with shareholder taxation issues including advising on the availability of Entrepreneurs’ Relief, and providing sell-side and buy-side tax due diligence advice and support for transactions
Stephen's sector expertise
Financial Services
- Adviser to IFAs, private equity and discretionary fund managers on corporate matters including partnership taxation
Leisure and Tourism
- Adviser to a number of hotel and hospitality businesses on various matters from Tips & Troncs to business purchases
- Stephen’s specialisms include capital allowances claims, R&D for hotel tech, corporate structuring, M&A and employment issues
Manufacturing
- Specialisms include capital allowances claims, R&D, corporate structuring, M&A and employment issues
- Recent advice includes PAYE advice relating to Hinkley Point contractor work, sell-side due diligence for a large corporate takeover, and corporate structuring for a print business acquisition
Technology
- Specialises in maximising R&D claims, corporate structuring including IP structuring, and employee incentives. His recent work includes advising on the merger of a traditional UK business with a high-tech US application business
Bishop Fleming have provided me with invaluable advice, both in my corporate and personal affairs, throughout the period of our relationship. They have always been able to provide me with the right expertise for whatever circumstances I have encountered. This has continued right up the sale of the business, where their combined corporate finance and tax advice was vital to us reaching a successful conclusion within a tight deadline.
Andy Cotton, former Managing Director of PD Edenhall Limited group
Having become a client of Bishop Fleming in 2017, I have been extremely impressed with how the audit and surrounding advice has been delivered and the advice given to me and my growing technology business. Their hour of glory was when their outstanding tax team, including Stephen Martin, identified a major issue created by my previous advisors, and by successfully appealing on the company’s behalf, resolved this and potentially saved many £100ks of tax. I would heartily recommend Bishop Fleming for any business needing to engage a trusted advisor and am looking forward to receiving their continued help and support.
Dan Fallon, Founder and Managing Director
