Neil Pearson
I lead the share plan practice, which designs and implements all types of share plans and one-off incentive arrangements. I also do a lot of tax work for private equity clients, from establishing funds and setting up co-invest and carry schemes to structuring individual investments by those funds.
Tel: +44 (0)870 730 2833
Email: neil_pearson@wragge.com
Highlight of your career so far?
Apart from being appointed a partner at Wragge & Co, my personal favourite was structuring the investments in Leicester City Football Club to help bring the club out of administration. As a keen footie fan this was a great job to be involved in - some interesting technical challenges, a lot of media attention, an industry sector that I love and a deadline that couldn't be missed.
Most challenging job you've ever done?
Acting for a number of VCTs on funding a management buy out of a debt collecting business. We had an interesting newco structure, issues around VCT qualification of a debt book acquisition, potential 'Schedule 22' issues for management and a demanding timetable. Life doesn't get any better for a tax lawyer!
What about outside the UK?
Advising on the launch of a share plan across a number of jurisdictions for a multi-national client. Apart from designing and drafting the plan we had to get lawyers from a number of countries to advise, comment on draft share plan rules and the potential tax and accounting issues and co-ordinate the simultaneous launch of the plan to employees in all countries within a very tight time frame.
An example of your great client service?
Take the last pre-budget report; rather than email a contact database with a ten-page summary of what the Chancellor had said, we have got in touch with clients on an individual basis to look specifically at what it means for them, the deals they do, and whether it creates any business opportunities for them.
Best example of a creative legal solution?
I'd like to think we offer creative legal solutions in every job we work on. But the deals mentioned on this page stand out.
When have you ever given a client a real competitive edge?
For venture capital trusts we've worked to come up with solutions which allow the VCTs to compete on a level playing field against other funds who are not restricted by some of the tax rules relating to VCTs. All these ideas have been agreed with HM Revenue & Customs, yet allow much greater flexibility in the way in which investments are structured to allow VCT fund managers to compete for, and win, deals.
What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?
I've worked, and continue to work, with organisations looking to obtain registered charity status, or to incorporate their existing charities.
What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?
A client on a conference call who said if I'd been in the same room, he'd have kissed me. Given my ugly mug, that was quite a compliment.
