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Myers La Roche Celebrates 40-Year Milestone
Myers La Roche, a longstanding and valued partner of Bermans specialising in helping opticians to grow, acquire and sell independent practices, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Continue ReadingNavigating ID Verification Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Act) introduces a new era of corporate accountability in the UK. In two of our previous articles from March 2025 and November 2023, we explored the broader reforms introduced by the Act — including the push for greater transparency and the overhaul of Companies House powers. Now, with the mandatory identity verification (IDV) regime coming into force this month – a move designed to enhance transparency, reduce fraud, and prevent misuse of UK corporate structures, it’s time to focus on what businesses must do to comply.
Major Shake-Up for Business Owners: IHT Relief Slashed from April 2026. ACT NOW
Jon Davage
What’s Changing?
Big changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) are on the horizon—and they could significantly affect owner-managed businesses.
While farmers have dominated headlines with protests over IHT reforms, business owners may be equally impacted, yet the changes have flown under the radar.
Continue ReadingCyber Wake-Up Call for Boards: Why the New UK Cyber Governance Code of Practice Can’t Be Ignored
Nikhil Mehan
If you are a business owner and still see cyber threats as “just an IT issue,” it’s time for a rethink. The UK Government and the National Cyber Security Centre has recently released a Cyber Governance Code of Practice (the Code) — and it’s aimed squarely at the boardroom.
Continue ReadingCorporate team at law firm Bermans advises on sale of RoBAT to Swedish hi-tech company
A Swedish hi-tech company has acquired Cheshire-based RoBAT, with corporate lawyers at north west firm Bermans advising on the deal.
RoBAT designs and manufactures high-value robotic machines for the fast and reliable testing of high-frequency signal quality on printed circuit boards.
The company serves a global market from its headquarters in Macclesfield and its operations in China and the United States. Its specialised equipment is trusted by some of the world’s largest technology companies.
RoBAT, which was founded in 2001, employs 27 staff and recorded net sales of £3m in 2024.
Laura McMorland, Charlotte Mills and Nathan Hughes, of Bermans’ Manchester office, advised the shareholders of RoBAT on the company’s sale to Mycronic’s Global Technologies division for an undisclosed sum.
2025 Update: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
As we step into 2025, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 brings several crucial updates aimed at enhancing corporate transparency, protecting personal information, and combating economic crime. These changes are set to impact businesses across the UK significantly. Here, we explore the key updates and their implications.
Continue ReadingBermans advises finance planning firm on management ownership transaction
Bermans Jon Davage and Laura McMorland recently advised the management team at Clarion Wealth Planning Limited on its management ownership transaction.
Continue ReadingEmployee Ownership Trusts – a win-win path to succession
Robin Hastings
The utilisation of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) as a way of exiting a business has grown massively in recent times. This is partly due to the considerable tax benefits it can propose for a selling shareholder, but also because of the long-term advantages it can create for the business subject to the sale.
This article summarises EOTs typical structures and highlights some of its key advantages– for both the selling shareholders and the company being sold.
Continue ReadingThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Faizan Nayyar
The government has recently introduced new laws aimed at tackling corruption, money laundering and fraud involving corporate entities. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Act) received royal assent on 26 October 2023, and aims to reform the way in which economic crime is tackled and to improve the transparency over corporate organisations.
Continue ReadingFee Earner Focus: Q&A – Laura McMorland (Corporate)
Laura McMorland (pictured below), joined Bermans in March 2023 and is a Senior Associate in our Corporate team. We spoke to her to learn more about her and her work.
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