Corporate
CORPORATE
Introduction to Directors’ duties in the UK
Introduction to charity trustees’ duties in the UK
Incentivising senior management teams – a corporate law perspective
Introduction to corporate acquisitions in the UK
Business succession planning – securing the future of your business
Preparing for due diligence & shareholder exit – practical steps for a smooth transition
Preparing your business for sale – a practical guide to maximising value and minimising risk
Introduction to finance documents – a corporate law perspective
Debt vs. equity financing – legal and commercial considerations
Business structures for social enterprise in the UK - Choosing the right legal framework for purpose-driven ventures
Duration: 1.5 hours or half-day sessionFormat: Online or face-to-faceNo prior legal knowledge required
Synopsis
This essential training course is designed for new and existing directors, including non-executive directors, to provide a clear understanding of their legal responsibilities under UK company law. The course covers the key statutory duties, practical implications, and best practices to help directors fulfil their roles effectively and compliantly.Participants will learn about:
Overview of the statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006
Duty to act within powers and promote the success of the company
Duty to exercise independent judgment and reasonable care, skill, and diligence
Duties relating to conflicts of interest and declaring interests
Responsibilities towards employees, creditors, and other stakeholders
Legal consequences of breach of duties and potential personal liability
Practical guidance for decision-making and governance best practices
Through real-life examples and interactive discussions, directors will gain confidence in understanding their roles, making informed decisions, and safeguarding both the company and their personal position.
Who should attend:
New and existing company directors
Non-executive directors
Senior managers transitioning to board roles
Duration: 1.5 hour session or half-day sessionFormat: Virtual or in-personNo prior legal experience required
This essential training course is designed for new and existing charity trustees to provide a comprehensive understanding of their legal responsibilities and best practices under UK charity law. The course equips trustees with the knowledge and skills needed to govern effectively, ensure compliance, and safeguard the charity’s mission and assets.Participants will learn about:
The legal framework governing charities and trustee duties
Key responsibilities including duty of care, loyalty, and compliance
Managing conflicts of interest and maintaining transparency
Financial stewardship and ensuring proper use of charity resources
Responsibilities for governance, risk management, and safeguarding
Reporting and regulatory obligations with the Charity Commission
Practical guidance for effective decision-making and trustee collaboration
Through real-life examples and interactive discussions, trustees will develop the confidence to fulfil their roles responsibly and protect the charity’s long-term success.
New charity trustees
Experienced trustees seeking to refresh their knowledge
Senior volunteers and charity leaders
Duration: Half-day sessionFormat: Virtual or in-person deliverySuitable for those with no prior experience in employee incentive structuring
This focused training course is designed for business owners, finance directors, and in-house lawyers, offering strategic and legal insight into incentivising senior management teams. Drawing on real-world experience and best practice, the session explores how well-structured incentive schemes can drive performance, support business growth, and align leadership interests with long-term company success.Participants will gain a solid understanding of:
Why incentivisation matters: How well-designed incentive structures attract, retain, and motivate top talent while supporting shareholder value
Employment-based vs. share-based incentives: Understanding the key differences, including salary bonuses, LTIPs, and equity participation
Share option schemes: Overview of approved vs unapproved share option schemes, including:• Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI)• Company Share Option Plans (CSOP)• Growth shares and other bespoke arrangements
Legal and tax considerations: Key legal requirements, tax efficiency, and eligibility criteria
Common pitfalls: Risks of poorly documented or misaligned schemes, dilution concerns, exit planning issues, and disputes
Practical insights: Lessons learned from real transactions, including structuring tips, communication strategies, and governance oversight
The course combines legal, commercial, and strategic perspectives to help attendees make informed decisions and implement robust, compliant incentive structures tailored to their organisational goals.
Business owners and founders
Finance directors involved in strategic planning
In-house legal counsel supporting corporate governance and employment matters
Duration: 1.5 hours or half-day sessionFormat: In-person or onlineNo prior M&A experience required
This introductory training course is designed for future business owners, investors, finance directors, and in-house legal professionals who want to understand the fundamentals of corporate acquisitions in the UK. It provides a strategic and legal overview of the acquisition process, equipping attendees with the knowledge to engage confidently in M&A activity.
Participants will explore:
Motives for acquisitions: Growth, diversification, market access, synergy, IP acquisition, and strategic exit planning
Types of acquisitions: Share purchases vs. asset purchases — key differences, pros and cons for buyers and sellers
Structuring considerations:• Payment mechanisms (cash, shares, vendor loans)• Deferred consideration and earn-outs• Completion accounts vs. locked box approaches
The acquisition process: Step-by-step overview from heads of terms to completion, including due diligence, negotiation, and post-deal integration
Timescales and costs: Typical timelines, role of external advisors (lawyers, accountants, tax specialists), and budget considerations including stamp duty and post-acquisition restructuring
Common pitfalls: Inadequate due diligence, poor integration planning, valuation issues, legal risks, and seller non-compete loopholes
This course blends legal, financial, and commercial insight to provide a well-rounded foundation in corporate acquisitions, helping attendees prepare for future deals with clarity and confidence.
Aspiring business owners and investors
Finance directors involved in corporate growth strategies
In-house lawyers supporting M&A transactions
Duration: 1.5 hour session or half-day sessionFormat: In-person or virtualNo prior succession planning experience required
This training course provides essential guidance for business owners looking to ‘exit’, Family owned businesses, and Business owners planning for retirement on how to effectively plan for the future leadership and ownership of a business. Succession planning is a critical but often overlooked aspect of business strategy - this session highlights why planning early protects value, ensures continuity, and enables a smooth transition. Participants will learn:
What is succession planning? A practical overview of succession planning in a business context, and why it is vital for resilience, legacy, and value preservation
Exit and transition options: Trade sale, management buy-out (MBO), employee ownership trusts (EOTs), IPO, or family succession – pros, cons, and key legal and commercial considerations
Preparing the business for succession: Corporate governance, leadership development, valuation, and operational readiness
Challenges in family or generational succession: Navigating interpersonal dynamics, ownership vs. management roles, and governance mechanisms to support smooth handovers
Risk management: Tax planning, shareholder agreements, and contingency planning for unexpected events
Case studies and practical insights: Lessons from real-life succession scenarios, including what works - and what to avoid
This course empowers key decision-makers to take a strategic and structured approach to succession, ensuring the long-term stability and success of the business.
Business owners planning their exit or future-proofing the business
Investors seeking long-term value and exit clarity
Finance directors and in-house counsel advising on succession and exit strategies
Duration: Half-day sessionFormat: In-person or virtualRecommended as a follow-up to: “Business succession planning – securing the future of your business”
This follow-on training course builds on business succession planning by offering practical guidance on preparing a business for external scrutiny and facilitating shareholder exits. The session provides a strategic and operational checklist to ensure readiness for due diligence, minimise disruption, and protect value during a sale, exit, or transition. Participants will learn:
Understanding due diligence: What buyers, investors or successors will examine — financials, legal, tax, employment, IP, and operational matters
Building a data room: What documents are typically required and how to organise them for efficiency and transparency
Common red flags and how to address them early: e.g., undocumented arrangements, outdated contracts, unresolved disputes, or unclear IP ownership
Shareholder exit strategies: How to plan for individual or group exits via share sales, buybacks, or share transfers
Key legal and tax considerations: Structuring exits to be tax-efficient, managing pre-exit reorganisations, and aligning shareholder agreements
Governance and communication: Managing internal expectations and stakeholder messaging during transition periods
Preparing management: Ensuring continuity of leadership, culture, and customer relationships post-exit
This course is rich in practical insight, templates, and case examples to help participants avoid costly mistakes and increase exit readiness and deal success.
Business owners considering sale or exit in the next 1–5 years
Finance directors responsible for preparing and presenting financials during due diligence
In-house lawyers supporting exits, sales, or transition events
Duration: Half-day session or Full-day sessionFormat: Virtual or in-person deliveryNo prior M&A experience necessary
This training course is designed for business owners, investors, finance directors, and in-house legal professionals who are considering a business sale within the short to medium term. Selling a business is one of the most significant events in its lifecycle — this session demystifies the process, helping attendees prepare strategically, financially, and legally to achieve the best outcome. Participants will explore:
Understanding the rationale for sale: Retirement, strategic exit, investment opportunity, or business restructuring — how to align the exit plan with long-term goals
Sale structure options:• Share sale vs. asset sale – key differences, tax and liability considerations, and when each is appropriate• Payment terms – upfront cash, deferred consideration, earn-outs, and retaining equity
Internal due diligence and ‘housekeeping’:• Reviewing statutory books, shareholder arrangements, financials, and tax position
• Ensuring key contracts and intellectual property are properly documented• Employment matters, including contracts, incentive schemes, and HR compliance
Overview of the sale process: Heads of terms, exclusivity, due diligence, SPA negotiations, completion, and post-sale handover
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them: Incomplete records, misalignment among shareholders, unresolved liabilities, overreliance on key individuals, or unrealistic pricing expectations
This session combines legal, financial, and commercial perspectives, offering attendees actionable steps and practical insights to prepare their business for a smooth and successful sale.
Business owners planning to exit or sell within the next 1–5 years
Investors looking to realise value from portfolio companies
Finance directors and in-house counsel supporting the business sale process
Duration: Half-day sessionFormat: In-person or onlineNo prior legal training required
This training course provides a practical introduction to the key finance documents commonly encountered in corporate transactions, including loans, investment rounds, and acquisition financing. Aimed at business owners, investors, finance directors, and in-house legal professionals, the course demystifies complex legal terms, highlights key negotiation points, and helps attendees understand their rights and obligations when entering into financing arrangements.
Participants will gain insights into:
Purpose and function of key finance documents, including:• Loan agreements• Security documents (debentures, charges, personal guarantees)• Intercreditor agreements• Term sheets and facility letters• Investment agreements and shareholder loans
Common clauses and what they mean: Covenants (financial and non-financial), events of default, representations and warranties, conditions precedent, and undertakings
Security and priority issues: Types of security, registration requirements, floating vs. fixed charges, and implications for enforcement
Investor protections in equity finance: preference shares, anti-dilution provisions, tag/drag rights
Common pitfalls and risk areas: Cross-default clauses, hidden fees, over-restrictive covenants, and poorly negotiated repayment terms
Corporate governance and board responsibilities when entering finance arrangements
Practical guidance on reviewing and negotiating finance documents from a legal and commercial standpoint
This session provides attendees with a strong foundation in understanding and managing corporate finance documentation to support smarter decision-making and reduce legal and financial risk.
Business owners raising capital or entering funding arrangements
Finance directors overseeing corporate borrowing or investment
In-house lawyers supporting transactions or day-to-day financing matters
Duration: Half-day sessionFormat: Online or in-person deliveryIdeal as a companion course to: “Introduction to finance documents – a corporate law perspective”
This training course is designed to complement the “Introduction to Finance Documents” module by offering a strategic comparison of debt and equity financing options available to UK businesses. Aimed at business owners, investors, finance directors, and in-house lawyers, the session explores the legal structures, commercial implications, and long-term consequences of different funding routes. Participants will explore:
Core differences between debt and equity: Legal obligations, ownership dilution, repayment expectations, control considerations, and risk profiles
Legal structures and documentation:• Loan and security documentation for debt• Shareholder/investment agreements, subscription terms, and articles of association for equity
Types of financing instruments:• Convertible loan notes, preference shares, venture debt, mezzanine financing, and crowdfunding
Investor protections vs. lender protections: Board rights, veto rights, financial covenants, default provisions, enforcement routes
Commercial implications: Cost of capital, tax deductibility, impact on company valuation, exit planning, and gearing ratios
Key factors to consider when choosing a funding route: business stage, risk appetite, growth ambitions, cashflow position, and investor expectations
Case studies of common scenarios and lessons learned from real funding structures
How to approach negotiations with funders and investors – balancing control, flexibility, and long-term alignment
This session equips attendees with a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each route, helping them choose and structure funding that supports the strategic goals of their business.
Who should attend
Business owners preparing funding for rounds/ acquisitions
Finance directors involved in capital structuring
In-house lawyers advising or negotiating funding arrangements
Duration: 1.5 hours or half-day sessionFormat: In-person or onlineNo prior legal knowledge required
This practical and accessible training course provides a comprehensive overview of the business structure options available for social enterprises and mission-led organisations in the UK. Whether you're a social entrepreneur, setting up a business with a social purpose, or a charity looking to establish a trading arm, this course will help you make informed decisions about the most suitable legal structure to support your goals.
Attendees will gain a working understanding of the key legal vehicles, their features, and how each aligns with different types of social impact strategies.
Key topics include:
Overview of UK structure options for social enterprises:• Private company limited by shares or guarantee (Ltd)• Community Interest Company (CIC)• Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)• Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies• Sole trader or unincorporated association
Comparative analysis of each option:• Set-up and running costs• Governance and flexibility• Personal liability of founders• Access to grant funding, loans, and social investment• Regulatory obligations and reporting requirements
Specific considerations when choosing a structure, such as:• Whether charitable status is appropriate• Trading vs. non-profit activities• Attracting investment vs. retaining control• Planning for growth and sustainability
Case studies highlighting how different structures work in practice for various types of social enterprises
By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to select and implement the legal structure that best supports their mission, values, and long-term plans.
Aspiring and early-stage social entrepreneurs
Individuals and teams setting up a purpose-led business
Charitable organisations considering a trading subsidiary
Community organisations and co-operatives exploring incorporation options
