Protecting the architects of the business

Commercial value is rarely held in tangible property; it resides in the minds, relationships, and leadership of key individuals. We structure tax-efficient executive protection frameworks that defend corporate revenue, preserve equity, and safeguard your key personnel.

At Campden Brook we advise in certain areas, and for those that require specialist licences, we partner with others to help provide an all-encompassing advice arena. This covers additional areas like Business Protection, Private Medical Insurance, and Equity Release / Later Life lending advice.

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Commercial risk mitigation engineered for growth

Most company directors spend considerable effort insuring corporate vehicles, office premises, and IT hardware. Yet, the loss of an executive director, key revenue generator, or equity partner presents a far greater risk to trading continuity.

Led by our specialist business protection advisers we advise corporate leaders, business owners, and entity heads on how to insulate their enterprises while making full use of allowable UK corporate tax efficiencies.

Relevant Life Plans (RLP)

Tax-deductible death-in-service protection paid entirely through the company.

Commercial mechanics: An RLP is an individual life insurance policy taken out by a business for an employee or director. Unlike personal life policies funded from post-tax dividend draws, RLP premiums are treated as an allowable business expense for Corporation Tax purposes.

The commercial advantage: * Premiums qualify as a deductible business expense for Corporation Tax.
- No Benefit in Kind (P11D) tax liability for the director.
- No employee or employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) due on premiums.
- Payouts pass into a discretionary Trust tax-free for the director’s family, completely outside the business and independent of personal pension lifetime allowances.

Key saving: Typically saves business owners up to 40% in total tax exposure compared to personal premiums paid out of net dividend income.

Key Person insurance

Safeguarding corporate profits and operational stability if a key driver falls ill or passes away.

Commercial mechanics: Every business has individuals whose unique expertise, client relationships, or technical leadership directly drive the bottom line. Key Person insurance pays a corporate lump sum directly to the business upon the death, critical illness, or terminal diagnosis of a specified key individual.

The commercial advantage: * Capital payouts inject immediate liquidity to offset lost trading profit during transition periods.
- Provides funds to recruit, onboard, and train high-calibre replacements without drawing on emergency reserves.
- Reassures commercial lenders, credit suppliers, and key clients that trading liabilities remain fully backed during leadership crises.

Key application: Crucial for firms reliant on specific rainmakers, software architects, or key operational directors.

Shareholder & Partnership protection

Preserving equity control and preventing hostile ownership transfers.

Commercial mechanics: If a co-director or equity shareholder passes away, their shares typically form part of their personal estate and pass to their spouse or beneficiaries. This creates an immediate friction point: surviving directors may suddenly find themselves in partnership with a grieving family member who lacks industry expertise, while the family holds an illiquid equity asset they cannot easily sell.

The commercial advantage: * Combined with a legal Cross-Option Agreement (coordinated alongside our sister legal practices at Kingsley Bond and Montrose Brown Solicitors), this structure provides guaranteed capital to buy back shares at a fair market valuation.
- Surviving directors retain 100% operational control over company direction.
- Deceased director's family receives swift, fair cash compensation without lengthy legal negotiation or corporate disruption.

Key application: Essential corporate hygiene for multi-shareholder limited companies and professional partnerships.

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Whether you are stepping onto the ladder for the first time, moving home, refinancing an existing property, or securing your family's future — our senior team is ready to listen.