What role can share incentives play in business growth and exit planning? Malli Kini and Neil Morrison discuss EMI schemes, employee ownership and how businesses can use equity incentives to align and reward their teams.
Helping businesses attract, retain and reward key people through effective equity and reward strategies.
Using share incentives to attract, retain and motivate talent
Rewarding Growth
An effective share incentive strategy can help businesses attract talent, retain key employees and align individuals with long-term business success. Whether you are implementing an EMI scheme, preparing for investment or sale, managing a globally mobile workforce, or reviewing your reward arrangements, our specialists provide joined-up advice across reward, tax and transactions to support every stage of the business lifecycle.
How we help
Growing your business
Design reward structures that attract talent, retain key employees and support long-term growth objectives.
Preparing for Exit
Optimise incentives, strengthen management engagement and address historical issues before due diligence
Managing global workforce
Navigate the complexities of equity awards, international tax obligations and mobile employee compliance
Our services
Tax-efficient reward structures for growing businesses
From EMI and CSOP schemes to growth shares and unapproved options, we help businesses design incentive arrangements that attract, retain and motivate key talent while supporting long-term commercial objectives.
Creating alignment between people and performance
We advise on management incentive plans, employee ownership structures and succession strategies that encourage engagement, reduce founder dependency and create lasting value for shareholders and employees alike.
Supporting globally mobile employees and employers
Cross-border share plans can create complex tax and reporting obligations. Our specialists help employers and employees navigate international equity awards, compliance requirements and mobility-related tax considerations.
Preparing businesses for investment, sale or succession
We review incentive arrangements, valuations, ERS compliance and management equity structures to identify and address issues before due diligence, helping businesses maximise value and minimise risk.
Managing tax obligations with confidence
We provide advice on corporation tax deductions, ERS reporting, HMRC compliance and the wider tax implications of employee reward arrangements, ensuring schemes remain effective and compliant as businesses grow.
Our expert says
“The most successful businesses understand that rewarding people is about more than salary. A well-designed share incentive strategy can align employees with growth, strengthen retention, support succession planning and ultimately create value for everyone involved”
Neil Morrison, Head of Reward Services
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Malli Kini and Neil Morrison discuss EMI schemes, employee ownership and how businesses can use equity incentives to align and reward their teams.
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Exit Readiness for entrepreneurs
Exiting your business is one of the most important decisions you will make. The right preparation not only maximises value but also ensures you and your family are financially secure for the future. A successful exit doesn’t happen by accident, it is planned, structured and optimised over time.
If you are considering an exit read our practical guide designed to help you understand your options and how to maximise value, minimise risk and approach an exit with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Share incentives are arrangements that allow employees or management teams to participate in the future value of a business through shares, options or other equity-based rewards. They can support recruitment, retention and long-term business growth.
Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) are tax-advantaged share option arrangements designed for qualifying businesses. They are often used by growing companies to incentivise employees and align them with shareholder objectives.
No. While EMI schemes are popular with early-stage businesses, many organisations use growth shares, management incentive plans, unapproved options and other structures throughout their growth journey and beyond.
Due diligence teams frequently review share plans, valuations, elections and compliance records as part of a transaction. Addressing issues in advance can help reduce risk and support deal value.
Employees who move between countries may be subject to different tax and reporting requirements in relation to their equity awards. Specialist advice can help employers and employees manage these obligations effectively
Certain arrangements may create corporation tax deductions and other opportunities that should be considered alongside wider business tax planning.
Meet Our Experts
Talk to our specialists
Whether you are implementing a new share scheme, preparing for an exit, expanding internationally or reviewing existing arrangements, our team can help you develop a reward strategy aligned to your business objectives.