Businesses moving to or from the UK

Woolford & Co. has assisted a number of businesses from overseas wishing to establish a business in the UK. We can provide a team with extensive knowledge and experience in helping such businesses, to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Reasons for Choosing the UK

The UK is an attractive location for international expansion:

• Access to the home market of 61* million people and the EU market of 830* million people (*figures correct as of 2010)
• A respected jurisdiction for access to capital markets
• The most comprehensive tax treaty network in the world
• Low corporate tax rates
• Comparatively low employment taxes
• A central time zone between the USA and the East - businesses deal with the East in the morning and the USA in the afternoon
• A legal system that is frequently used for international transactions
• Excellent infrastructure

Recommended Steps to Follow

Woolford & Co. strongly recommends that any company wishing to establish a business in the UK should take advice prior to setting up a UK company or branch of an overseas company, as tax minimisation structures are easier to put in place prior to setting up in the UK.

Woolford & Co. offers a number of key services for organisations looking to move to the UK:

1.      Assistance for staff - information on housing, schools and everyday life in the UK.

2.      Company/LLP formation and branch registration - advice on the formation of and incorporation of UK companies and Limited Liability Partnerships, plus branch registrations of overseas companies. We can also carry out additional checks and registrations.

3.      Employment and immigration - employment specialists can assist with and advise on recruitment, salary levels, employment contracts and payment of salaries (payroll). Immigration experts can help obtain the necessary clearance for individuals to come to the UK to run a business.

4.      Finance - introduction to banks and, where appropriate, assistance with raising finance from banks, venture capitalists and other sources of venture capital.

5.      Intellectual property registration - assistance with valuation of intellectual property and registration of intellectual property.

6.      International structure - help designing international structures that take into account tax minimisation and exchange control issues. Structures can be developed allowing for anticipated business expansion into other countries.

7.      Property - assistance in finding the appropriate property for clients (commercial and/or residential) and access to property lawyers who can assist with the purchase or renting of the property.

Contact: Laurence Binge