Jonathan Riley

My formative years as a lawyer were spent with a London based global law firm; this provided an experience of company and commercial law that allows me to provide advice to individuals and families in a way that takes into account the commercial aspects of clients’ affairs much more than would otherwise be the case. Private clients often think of their business and personal assets as very closely connected and understanding their interaction is important in order to advise comprehensively.

Entrepreneurs form a large part of my client base and frequently they have an international element to their affairs. A lot of my work concerns the transfer of business interests from one generation to the next in a way that is tax efficient and meets their commercial and personal objectives. Helping a client’s business and their family in this way can be hugely satisfying work.

There are many clients I look after that I admire; many are successful as result of pursuing their goals and hard work. They have then used their wealth creatively for the benefit of others whether in business or otherwise.

I feel fortunate to enjoy my work. In addition to working alongside excellent lawyers at Fladgate I often advise in collaboration with expert trustees and financial professionals across different jurisdictions; these enduring professional relationships all help when advising clients with complex needs.

• Advising a client how to make gifts of €60m to four children who resided in three different jurisdictions in the most tax efficient way, that ensured fairness for all and that avoided unfettered access to the assets that were transferred.
• Altering a wealth holding structure that was created for a family who operated a series of manufacturing businesses in Asia. Certain family members were moving to the UK and ahead of that move we altered the arrangement to ensure tax optimisation and that suitable control mechanisms were in place.
• Advising non-resident trustees who made a transfer that gave rise to an unexpected very large tax liability. We have successfully applied the doctrine of “mistake” so the transaction was rescinded and the tax liability avoided.
• Working with a European family to create a structure for holding their significant family wealth. This blended family has a dynamic which meant the concept of fairness when sharing the family wealth did not mean “equality” and we created a flexible structure to manage expectations and achieved these succession objectives.