Family Business & Governance
A family business brings together commercial ambition, personal relationships and the interests of different generations. Clear arrangements help families make decisions, define responsibilities and plan for the future.
At AGPLAW, we advise business owners and their families on the legal structures and governance arrangements that support long-term business continuity. We help establish how ownership is held, how decisions are made and how family members participate in the business.
Whether you are welcoming the next generation, reviewing existing arrangements or preparing for a change in leadership, we provide practical advice that reflects both your business objectives and your family’s priorities.
Ownership & Control
Clear ownership arrangements provide a foundation for the business and its relationship with the family. We help owners establish rights, responsibilities and safeguards that reflect their intentions.
Our services include:
- Ownership Structures - Advising on companies, holding structures and trusts for family business interests.
- Shareholders’ Agreements - Documenting voting rights, reserved decisions, dividend policies and protections for minority shareholders.
- Share Transfers and Exit Arrangements - Establishing rules for transfers, valuation, pre-emption rights and the departure of family shareholders.
- Ownership Reviews - Identifying gaps or inconsistencies in existing corporate documents and family arrangements.
As families and businesses grow, informal understandings may no longer provide enough clarity. Agreed governance arrangements help family members understand their roles and how their interests are represented.
Family Governance
We assist with:
- Family Constitutions - Recording shared values, principles and expectations, and distinguishing these from legally binding commitments.
- Decision-Making Frameworks - Defining the roles of shareholders, directors, family councils and management.
- Family Participation - Establishing policies for family employment, entry into management, remuneration and retirement.
- Communication and Accountability - Creating procedures for consultation, information sharing and managing conflicts of interest.
Transferring ownership and handing over management are distinct decisions. Planning for both helps preserve continuity while allowing the next generation to develop its role.
Leadership & Succession
Our support includes:
- Leadership Transitions - Preparing arrangements for the retirement or changing involvement of founders and senior family members.
- Ownership Succession - Coordinating share transfers, wills and trusts with the intended future ownership of the business.
- Different Family Roles - Addressing the interests of family members who work in the business and those who remain passive shareholders.
- Contingency Planning - Establishing arrangements for death, incapacity or the unexpected departure of a key decision-maker.
Disagreements can affect both business operations and family relationships. Clear procedures can help address concerns early and provide a practical route forward.
Resolving Disagreements
We advise on deadlock provisions, internal resolution procedures, negotiated exits and shareholder buyouts. Where disputes arise, our corporate and disputes teams work together to advise on negotiation, mediation or litigation, taking account of the commercial issues and the wider family context.
