Sicilian Sips: Uncorking International Business Opportunities
Rathbones - Summer 2025 Conference
Thu 19 Jun
The IBSA is pleased to invite you to attend its Annual Conference on the afternoon of Thursday 19 June 2025 in London. This year, we’ll explore another fictitious case study involving a Sicilian wine-growing family as they expand their horizons by acquiring land in the UK to cultivate vines for exquisite white wine, all in a climate that's becoming more favourable than their beloved Sicily.
The conference will focus on new Trusts and the management of existing Foundations aimed at preserving the family wealth, the case study considers financing and structuring the real estate acquisitions as well as the operations of the distribution company. Intellectual property considerations surrounding an innovative harvesting technique developed by the family will also be explored. Furthermore, the study will examine the family's investment policies regarding their current wealth, alongside inheritance tax implications and succession planning for family members relocating to the UK.
The conference will follow the IBSA’s informal presentational techniques which allow delegates to engage directly with the speakers. The issues examined will resonate both with entrepreneurs themselves as well as their professional advisers.
Read the Case Study
Pricing
Members: £400 plus VAT
Non Members: £750 plus VAT
This conference is a must for entrepreneurs who may be involved in some of the issues discussed, as well as professional advisers engaged in the field of intellectual property, corporate finance, international tax, insolvency and restructuring, employment law, family law and private client services. A certificate of attendance will be available providing 4 hours towards your professional development.
Programme
Registration and Buffet Lunch
Welcome
Roy Saunders
Founder and Chairman, IBSA
Session One: Corporate Issues - IP, Structuring, Finance and Tax
This session will explore the overall structuring for the Sicilian wine producing entrepreneur, the research and development potential and subsequent intellectual property issues on a new cutting-edge wine-picking machine, the relevant investment incentives and grants, issues relating to equity and debt finance for the new vineyard acquisition and general corporate development, reviewing real estate taxation in the UK and its implications for the vineyard ownership and other relevant tax issues such as transfer pricing and its implications for Sicilian wine importation, customs duties and VAT considerations for wine producers.
Catherine Jewell
Partner, Beck Greener
John Hull
Partner, Beck Greener
Steven Bone
Director, Gateley Plc
Mark Galazzi
Partner, Walkers
Mark Fielden
Tax Partner, Moore Kingston Smith
John Hayward
Partner, Gateley Plc
Refreshment Break & Networking
Session Two: Entrepreneurial Issues – Migration, Investment, Exit strategies and Family issues
This session will start with an understanding of immigration concerns for the entrepreneur, his family and key employees and how to incentivise key employees and sub-contractors including share options, growth shares and other benefits. It will consider financial planning strategies in regard to the existing trusts and foundations in light of the sustainable investment strategies stipulated by the entrepreneur. In advance of a future potential sale of the UK company owning the vineyard, we will analyse earn-out strategies and how to mitigate tax on the eventual sale, alongside inheritance tax planning in relation to the offshore entities including pension arrangements particularly in light of upcoming marriages and potential claims by adult children on the estate.
Maurizio Marullo
Senior Partner, LAWP
Rebecca Hone
Director, Moore Kingston Smith
Mark Fielden
Tax Partner, Moore Kingston Smith
David Cox
Head of Greenbank, Rathbones
Lucy Greenwood
Partner, International Family Law Group
David Gubbay
Partner, Farrer & Co
Charlie Fiducia
Senior Manager, EY Private Client Services Ltd
Close of Conference followed by Drinks & Buffet on the Rooftop Terrace
Register
Speakers
Roy Saunders
Founder and Chairman, IBSA
Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1967, Roy Saunders has accumulated a wealth of commercial experience working independently in commercial property, international tax, advertising and other industries. He is the Chairman of IFS, a boutique international tax practice based in central London. Academically, he is known throughout the world for his many books and publications, the foremost being his red book, International Tax Systems & Planning Techniques published by Sweet & Maxwell. Roy has also taught an MA Course on International Taxation at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London.
Roy is very proud of the fascinating client base of entrepreneurial individuals that he has built up at IFS. He feels strongly about the role that ethical tax structuring plays in the growth of an economy, and that this needs to be better understood by the public at large. Roy founded the IBSA to enable business professionals around the world to discover new business relationships and promote best practice by creating sustainable business structures compliant with international transparency, corporate governance and social responsibility.
Catherine Jewell
Partner, Beck Greener
Catherine Jewell is a Partner at Beck Greener LLP and provides patent-related services in the chemical field, from initial advice on patentability, to drafting and filing applications and their prosecution, including opposition and appeals. She has a particular interest in the new unitary patent system which is expected to come into force in Europe in 2017.
She is also a Chartered and European Trade Mark Attorney and has advised on a variety of issues in relation to the use and registration of marks, from clearance searches and pre-filing advice, through to opposition and invalidity/revocation actions.
The majority of her experience relates to European patent and trade mark applications, but she has also handled global portfolios covering countries such as the US, China, Korea, Japan and Canada.
Catherine worked in solid-state and materials chemistry before joining the IP profession, concentrating on the synthesis of inorganic materials and manipulation of their structure and properties.
John Hull
Partner, Beck Greener
John Hull is a partner at Beck Greener. He has over 15 years’ experience as a patent attorney, helping clients to protect inventions, designs and other intellectual property, working mainly in the chemical sector. His practice focuses on the specialist areas of polymers, catalysts, medical devices and scientific instrumentation.
He has also advised extensively on pharmaceuticals, chemical engineering, packaging and mechanical devices.
As well as prosecuting cases at the European and UK Patent Offices for a variety of multinational corporations, John has comprehensive experience of handling oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office, with a high success rate.
John has passed the Intellectual Property Litigation and Advocacy course providing him with enhanced rights to conduct IP litigation in the UK courts and has recently run a case before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
John enjoys representing small and medium-sized UK companies, working closely with clients from early stage development right through to product launch. John has considerable experience and understanding of inventors and bringing new inventions to market including assignments and licensing.
Steven Bone
Director, Gateley Plc
Steven is a tax-qualified chartered surveyor and recognised authority on tax incentives for real estate and innovation activity. For more than 25 years he has specialised in tax incentives including capital allowances, land remediation relief/ credits, R&D tax relief/ credits and Patent Box. He held senior roles in “Big 4”, specialist boutique and national mid-tier accountancy firms before joining Gateley Capitus.
Lucy Greenwood
Partner, International Family Law Group
Lucy Greenwood is a Partner at iFLG. Lucy has a very broad depth of experience and knowledge in resolving family issues having specialised exclusively in the field of family law for the last 18 years.
For further information about Lucy, visit the iFLG website
Mark Galazzi
Partner, Walkers
Mark Galazzi is a partner in Walkers' London office where he is a member of the firm's Global Finance and Corporate Practice Groups, and heads the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Asset Finance team in the European timezone.
Mark trained with a Magic Circle firm before moving offshore – he has 13 years' experience in private practice in London, Jersey and Singapore, and is recognised by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner.
He has extensive experience in advising on both BVI and Cayman Islands laws, and has a strong international practice that covers a broad range of finance and corporate transactions, including listings, aviation and maritime finance and SPAC activity.
Mark has a busy lender-side finance practice, as well as a significant practice working with private banks in London and Switzerland focused on aviation, maritime and real estate financing for HNWIs.
Mark is a member of the Walkers' Global Asset Finance Group.
Mark Fielden
Tax Partner, Moore Kingston Smith
Mark is a tax partner focusing on M&A and real estate tax, advising clients on tax matters relating to corporate transactions. His work covers buy and sell side advisory work on UK and international deals. From a real estate perspective, Mark works with developers, investors and funds, and advises across UK taxes relevant to the sector. Outside of his areas of focus, he works with other specialisms within the firm to achieve the best outcomes for clients. He is regularly singled out for his practical, commercial and realistic advice.
Mark is a Chartered Tax Adviser with 25 years of experience and has been a partner at Moore Kingston Smith for 10 years. He is a past member of the main CBI tax committee and has led a number of transactions for the firm, including the investment by Waterland Private Equity into Moore Kingston Smith and subsequent acquisitions.
While a tax adviser by training, Mark also has extensive experience more widely in corporate finance and funding structures. He is one of the founding members of the Moore Kingston Smith team providing tax services to the W&I and tax risk insurance market.
Rebecca Hone
Director, Moore Kingston Smith
Rebecca leads Moore Kingston Smith’s immigration legal practice, with a primary focus in business immigration. Rebecca helps her clients, ranging from SME’s to multinational corporations, navigate the sponsor licence process to move international staff to the UK. Post-Brexit, she increasingly supports global companies headquartered in Europe to expand into the UK. Known for her proactive and innovative approach, Rebecca provides tailored solutions to comply with the immigration rules, whilst balancing the commercial needs of her clients.
David Cox
Head of Greenbank, Rathbones
David joined Greenbank in 2023 and has over 20 years’ of experience working in the financial services industry. David previously worked at Brunel Pension Partnership, where he was Deputy CIO and spearheaded the setup and management of public market investments and strategies worth c.£30 billion. He has led award-winning initiatives in sustainable and environmental investing across asset classes and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, specialising in alternative asset classes and portfolio and index construction.
John Hayward
Partner, Gateley Plc
ohn is a highly experienced finance lawyer and a recognised acquisition and leveraged finance expert. His expertise also extends to general bank lending, development finance and real estate finance.
John has significant experience acting for lenders, private equity and corporate borrowers.
David Gubbay
Partner, Farrer & Co
Corporate tax expert David Gubbay works across the firm's sectors to help clients through some of the most complex issues they face. He is known for his considered style allied with a grounded pragmatic manner.
Corporate tax expert David Gubbay works across the firm's sectors to help clients through some of the most complex issues they face. He is known for his considered style allied with a grounded pragmatic manner.
David has been practising for over 25 years and has a broad base of experience, falling into three areas.
His corporate tax practice covers all aspects of mergers, acquisitions, disposal, joint ventures, demergers, flotations, re-organisations, capital raising and private equity. The work he does is often international, advising non-UK corporates and funds active in the UK and Europe, and advising clients on the appropriate structures for overseas acquisitions and holding entities in conjunction with other advisers. He also advises individuals selling their companies and businesses, giving advice on entrepreneurs relief, rollover and tax clearances plus new investment structures.
His investment fund work sees him advising both fund managers and funds including the establishment of open and closed-ended offshore funds and onshore funds and investment trusts, the merger and reorganisation of offshore and onshore funds, private equity and property fund work. This includes setting up tax efficient structures for onshore managers and owners, many of whom are non-doms, the use of LLPs and the use of offshore manager structures.
The third part of David’s work portfolio is a mix of real estate, finance and employment and incentive tax work. The real estate work includes property acquisitions, development projects and real estate finance work, including for non-UK purchasers and charities, VAT and stamp duty land tax planning and property fund structures. He advises on a variety of incentive schemes, including EMI and growth share plans, and on the tax issues relating to the commencement and termination of employment, and related employment related securities issues.
Maurizio Marullo
Senior Partner, LAWP
Maurizio Marullo is a Partner at LAWP. His practice focuses on commercial, corporate, international tax law and criminal tax law. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint-ventures, corporate finance transaction as well as in estate and succession planning, insolvency and restructuring procedure. He is also involved in real estate transactions.
Author of publications on commercial and tax law. Maurizio is the co-author of the Italian chapter of the volume International Tax Systems and Planning Techniques published by Sweet & Maxwell.
Lecturer and speaker at seminars and conferences on commercial law and tax criminal law; lecturer at postgraduate Master courses in Taxation and Business Law organized by Il Sole 24 Ore Business School.
Admitted to practice before the Italian Supreme Court since 2015.
Charlie Fiducia
Senior Manager, EY Private Client Services Ltd
Charlie is a Tax Senior Manager within the Private Client team at EY and a trusted adviser to high net worth individuals, professionals and entrepreneurs.
He has significant experience in both advising high net worth clients and corporate bodies on the UK and International tax issues arising on their personal and business interests. With a broad understanding of UK taxes, he is well suited to provide comprehensive advice across a wide range of scenarios that high net worth individuals often face.
Sponsors
With roots dating back to 1742, Rathbones has been a provider of financial services since 1912, when the business was restructured to focus solely on wealth management. The company listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1992, the year of its 250th anniversary. In that same year, they pioneered one of the UK’s first tailored ethical and sustainable portfolio services, which led in 2004 to the formal establishment of Rathbone Greenbank Investments. In 2009, Rathbones became one of the first investment managers to sign up to the UN-endorsed Principles for Responsible Investment, which promotes environmental, social and governance considerations.
LAWP have been providing legal assistance in commercial and tax law for over twenty years. Their mixed teams of lawyers and chartered accountants provide qualified advice on corporate and tax matters to both private and corporate clients.
LAWP's expertise and high-level international relations allow us to manage and support cross border or outbound transactions. Our professionals also participate as speakers in numerous seminars and courses on tax and commercial law.
Beck Greener is a European firm of patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, design attorneys and intellectual property (IP) litigators. The firm has offices in London and Spain, and continues to provide a full range of services relating to both UK and European Union Trade Marks and Designs post-Brexit. They are proud to be one of the oldest IP firms in the world, helping to protect inventions, trade marks, designs, copyright and other IP for over 150 years. The firm can provide you with advice, information and assistance relating to all aspects of registered and unregistered IP.
Gateley is a professional services group which employs over 1,600 people across 23 UK offices including in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Reading, and two international offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. By combining the skills of a full-service law firm with tax consultants, built environment consultants and surveyors, patent and trademark attorneys, and leadership development and transformational change consultants, they provide more than just legal advice. It’s a unique offering which they don’t believe is offered by another legal business in the UK.
Thoughtfully structuring and managing your tax affairs is more important than ever. Working with an advisor who understands the complex range of tax matters impacting your business operations and your personal agenda is paramount. EY’s Private Client services team helps individuals, families and employers with their personal tax related compliance and advisory needs.
At Moore Kingston Smith, they believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding. Supporting a diverse range of clients, they are a multi-disciplinary advisory, tax and audit firm with expertise across multiple sectors, uniquely positioned to help people realise their ambitions. Their teams deliver quality results locally and internationally as part of the Moore Global network.
Venue
30 Gresham St
London
EC2V 7QN
Rathbones is a leading provider of individual wealth management, asset management and related services to private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners.
Upcoming Events
