For many entrepreneurs, wealth is not just about a number on a spreadsheet. It represents years of vision, hard work and resilience in building a business from the ground up. And when it comes to the time to sell, relocate or restructure your wealth, the decisions you make are rarely simple. They touch on family, legacy and the future just as much as they do on tax and regulation.
That’s where wealth planning becomes an important consideration. At Lombard Odier, we view it as helping entrepreneurs define what their wealth is truly for, whether that means supporting future generations, pursuing philanthropic endeavours or building something new.
The first question in any wealth planning conversation is simple: What are you trying to achieve? For many entrepreneurs, the goal is generational – ensuring wealth is preserved and passed on to children and grandchildren. For some, it is about philanthropy, scaling charitable ambitions alongside financial ones. For others, it is about reinvention – using the proceeds from one venture to fuel the next. Defining this ‘purpose’ is foundational for every strategy. From there, you can begin to align structures such as trusts or private holding companies, supported by robust governance frameworks that help families make decisions together and manage assets collectively.
One of the most pivotal moments in an entrepreneur’s journey is the sale of their business. It is often life-changing, both financially and emotionally, which is why selling requires advanced preparation:
- Timing matters: Tax reliefs often require one to two years of planning. Starting early creates flexibility.
- Preparation pays: A business in optimal shape before due diligence is far more likely to achieve the desired valuation.
- The right team is crucial: Corporate advisers, tax specialists, financiers and lawyers form the business side of the operation, while wealth planners, private bankers and family advisers address the personal one.
Read also: Navigating the emotional exit: are you ready to let go?
Often, entrepreneurs are so focussed on growing the business that their personal financial affairs get left behind. Ensuring wills, powers of attorney and insurance are up to date may seem mundane, but they can make the difference between a smooth transition and an avoidable risk.
What comes after the sale?
The sale of a business can provide entrepreneurs with a significant pool of liquidity, and a pressing question: what’s next?
While some entrepreneurs choose to start again by launching new ventures, others channel their funds into investments, philanthropy or simply stepping back to focus on their family. The common thread is that without a clear plan, wealth without direction can feel overwhelming. This is where wealth planning provides clarity: setting objectives, mapping cash flow and ensuring liquidity aligns with personal and family goals.
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learn more The UK landscape: tax has changed, planning is now mission-critical
The United Kingdom remains one of the world’s most attractive hubs for entrepreneurs. Its deep capital markets, vibrant innovation centres and global talent pool make it a leading destination for building and growing a business. Beyond business, it offers world-class education, cultural capital and connectivity with Europe and beyond. Recent policy changes, however, are reshaping the environment.
The UK’s abolition of its long-standing ‘non-dom’ regime, which dates back to 1799, has prompted many global families to reassess their position. The remittance-based system has been replaced with a residence-based system, which includes a four-year Foreign Income & Gains (FIG) exemption, which came into effect from April 2025 for new or returning residents who were non-UK residents for the previous ten tax years. FIG offers a favourable four-year window for qualifying new arrivals, under which most foreign income and gains remain exempt from tax and can be remitted tax-free.
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learn more For entrepreneurs entering the UK, this creates both opportunity and complexity. Structuring portfolios in non-UK jurisdictions, for example, can ensure maximum benefit. At Lombard Odier, we provide precisely this kind of planning and execution, ensuring investments remain aligned with the FIG rules while serving long-term objectives.
Read also: From Non-Dom to FIG in a new UK tax era – a practical guide
Leaving the UK? Planning beyond borders
Not all entrepreneurs are moving in; some are moving out. The abolition of the non-dom regime has accelerated decisions for some families who planned to relocate eventually. But departures create their own risks and opportunities. The challenge is ensuring that wealth is structured efficiently both for the jurisdiction they are leaving and the one they are entering. This is where our global perspective adds value. With a network of wealth planners across key jurisdictions, we can provide comparisons of tax environments, legal frameworks and regulatory requirements. And because relocation is about more than finance, we help connect clients with trusted advisers in areas such as immigration, education and housing.
Relocation is about more than finance
The UK tax landscape is not standing still. From 30 October 2024, the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) increased from 20% to 24%, making exits more expensive. At the same time, changes to Inheritance Tax Business Property Relief (BPR) which take effect from 6 April 2026 will reduce the previously uncapped 100% allowance to a £1 million cap. Any value above that will qualify only for 50% relief. For entrepreneurs, this underscores the need to plan not just for today, but for what lies ahead. By beginning early, structuring appropriately and anticipating these shifts, entrepreneurs can ensure they are not caught off guard and can still achieve their desired outcomes.
Read also: Taxing times ahead: is your business succession plan fit for the new UK rules?
UK advantages
The UK has long been a magnet for entrepreneurs. Despite shifts in the economic and political landscape, it remains one of the most compelling environments for starting and scaling a business. Here are some of the key reasons why:
- Access to capital: The UK is one of the world’s leading financial centres, with London at the heart of global banking, venture capital and private equity. Entrepreneurs benefit from a deep pool of investors.
- Supportive tax and business environment: Competitive corporate tax rates, even after recent adjustments, remain lower than many other major economies. The UK’s strong legal framework and robust intellectual property protection provide a secure environment for founders.
- Global connectivity: Strategically positioned between the US and Asia, the UK offers unparalleled access to international markets.
- Talent and innovation: The UK is home to world-leading universities and thriving innovation hubs in London, Cambridge, Manchester and Edinburgh. Its visa scheme for entrepreneurs and skilled workers makes it easier to attract talent.
For UK entrepreneurs, whether arriving, leaving or building something new, the choices made today will help shape opportunities for decades to come
Transforming complexity into opportunity
In a rapidly changing tax environment, with shifting rules and increasing personal liabilities, wealth planning is essential. It is not just about structures and taxes. It is about families, values and the future. For families managing shared wealth, establishing effective governance - such as rules for decision-making, conflict resolution and intergenerational alignment - is critical. Succession planning is another essential pillar. Do founders wish to pass assets directly, establish trusts or create private investment companies? The right answer depends not only on tax but also on geography, family dynamics and values. Wealth planners ensure those conversations take place with clarity and purpose.
For UK entrepreneurs, whether arriving, leaving or building something new, the choices made today will help shape opportunities for decades to come. At Lombard Odier, clarity creates opportunity. By combining foresight, expertise and independence, we help entrepreneurs protect what they have built, while defining what comes next for themselves, their families and future generations. Our role is to listen first, to understand what truly matters to clients and their families. From there, we develop bespoke strategies that combine investment management, tax and legal structuring, governance and succession planning, supported by our global network of experts and partners.
Whether an entrepreneur is selling a business, relocating to or from the UK, or planning for future generations, our mission is straightforward: to simplify complexity into clarity and transform wealth into purpose.
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