The employee share schemes and incentives team at Clifford Chance LLP is well-equipped to handle an array of remuneration and incentives work. The team specialises in high-profile, global transactions and advisory work for financial services clients and listed companies. Heading up the practice, Sonia Gilbert frequently leads matters involving pay arrangements, remuneration issues, and the implementation of global all-employee share plans. Gilbert has recently been engaged in deals and advisory work with global banks, asset managers, listed companies, and investment firms. Andrew Patterson is a key contact within the team, leading on employee share plan and remuneration matters with multi-jurisdictional elements. Other notable practitioners within the team include Becky Moore and Juliette Graham, who assist with international tax and incentives matters.

Lauded by clients as a ‘diverse team able to offer an integrated full spectrum of legal services to resolve multi-dimensional legal issues’, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP frequently acts for financial services, logistics, and professional services companies. Co-leading the global practice, Paul Ellerman frequently leads on incentives and remuneration aspects of transactions, often working for listed companies and financial and professional services firms. Alongside him, Mark Ife co-leads the global practice, specialising in remuneration, reorganisation, and incentives matters for financial services firms. Niall Crean boasts expertise in assisting clients with matters involving executive recruitment arrangements and incentives arrangements, often acting for local and international private and listed companies. Kiran Khetia is a key practitioner within the team, assisting clients with executive remuneration and incentives matters, often working on transactions, IPOs and demergers. Christopher White consistently provides support on an array of advisory work, including drafting all-employee share and cash plans, employee benefit trust arrangements, and global employee share plans.

Lauded by clients for its ‘knowledge, commercial acumen, responsiveness and reliability’, the practice at Linklaters LLP specialises in advising large multinational corporations on global share plans. The team’s notably broad client roster includes global energy companies, consumer goods companies, banks, and mining companies. Practice head Alexandra Beidas is highly experienced in handling both transactional and advisory work for global, high-profile clients; her recent caseload consists of advising on remuneration and incentives issues for a broad client base, including retailers, energy companies, and asset managers. Cara Hegarty is skilled at advising on remuneration issues and employee stock ownership plans, as is Bradley Richardson, who often acts for banks and consumer goods companies. Ben McCarthy, Kaleigh Jones, and Stephanie Creese are other key names within the team, frequently assisting on remuneration and employee incentive matters.

Slaughter and May boasts a broad transactional and advisory offering, with the team’s client roster consisting of banks, retailers, pharmaceutical companies, and energy companies. The team consistently handles complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional matters, primarily implementing incentives plans, as well as advising clients on employee share schemes issues. Operating out of the firm's wider pensions, employment, and incentives practice, Philip Linnard heads up the employment and incentives team, with his expertise encompassing remuneration, long-term incentive plans, and retention arrangements. Philippa O’Malley frequently leads on high-value matters involving drafting and negotiating settlement agreements, as well as complex transactions and implementing remuneration policies. Ian Brown drafts incentive arrangements and advises on deferred share bonus plans and carried interest arrangements. Rosemary Nelson assists with matters pertaining to regulatory issues and corporate governance, while Chloe Sanderson advises on transactional share options matters, as well as global share incentive plans.

 

Tapestry Compliance's practice is ‘uniquely focussed on employee incentive plans’, offering its specialist expertise to technology, manufacturing, financial services, and consumer goods clients. Dividing her time between London and Leeds, practice co-head Hannah Needle is highly experienced in advising on a range incentive arrangements for companies with multi-jurisdictional interests. Chris Fallon co-leads the practice from London and Birmingham, and he frequently advises on employee and executive share and cash incentive plans, with his broad client roster spanning manufacturing, recruitment, and aviation companies. Also dividing her practice between London and Leeds, Suzannah Crookes specialises in global employee stock purchase plans and executive share, fund, and cash-based incentive arrangements. Emma Parker leads on matters involving the implementation of employee benefit trusts, while Matthew Hunter is skilled at conducting global legal and tax due diligence. Bob Grayson is also a key contact in the team, with his specialisms including plan rule drafting and trust and hedging arrangements.

With strong expertise within the financial services sector, A&O Shearman primarily handles the incentives aspects of high-profile M&A matters, and its client roster includes global banks and asset managers. Practice head Paul McCarthy regularly leads on employee equity incentives and executive remuneration matters, acting for publicly listed and private companies. Kate Pumfrey handles employee compensation and benefits matters, with a particular focus on advising financial services and listed companies. Lauded by clients for his ‘exceptional technical knowledge and experience’, Mahesh Varia is skilled at handling corporate transactions, often advising on incentives and tax issues. Varia joined the team from Travers Smith LLP at the beginning of 2025, and his addition has been noted as adding ‘to an already strong offering in this space.’

Baker McKenzie is highly adept at handling complex cross-border transactions, often advising on tax disputes and international share plans. The team’s client roster consists of private companies, software developers, banks, and beverage companies. Practice head Jeremy Edwards consistently leads on matters relating to global executive share option plans and all employee share plans. Edwards is also knowledgeable of the tax and regulatory implications of complex, multi-jurisdictional share plans. Lauded by clients as ‘practical, intelligent and helpful’, Gillian Parnell frequently advises on employee tax, incentives, and IR 35 issues. Will Clifton often assists clients with tax and regulatory issues, while Amy Thompson is skilled at handling regulatory mandates, as well as all-employee plans.

Lauded by clients for the team’s ‘diligent, professional’ service, CMS is well equipped to handle a broad range of transactional and advisory matters, working for multinational companies and private equity houses across a variety of sectors. Leading the team, Andrew Quayle has recently been engaged in matters involving acquisition, remuneration, share plans, and incentive-related issues. Frequently working on multi-jurisdictional matters, Quayle’s client roster includes professional services firms and listed companies. Considered by clients as an ‘indispensable advisor’, Jaspal Pachu leads on high-value transactional and advisory matters for private equity houses, as well as technology and medical companies. Catherine Merry is experienced in advising on transactional issues, including those surrounding remuneration, share plans, and incentive arrangements, often working on matters with cross-border elements. Other key contacts within the team include Cathy Wears, Sarah McMaster, and Annette Beresford, who consistently assist with high-profile matters.

Latham & Watkins is well equipped to handle employment, incentives, and remuneration-related matters, with particular expertise in cross-border issues between the UK and the US. Co-leading the practice, Sarah Gadd is experienced at advising private equity houses and financial institutions on transactional, tax, and employee incentive issues. With a strong focus on advising technology clients, practice co-head Kendall Burnett frequently leads on matters involving share incentives and employment issues. Burnett is especially skilled at advising on international employment matters. The wider team has a broad offering, working on tax, regulatory, and corporate governance issues, as well as takeovers and M&A.

Macfarlanes LLP has a broad practice, advising clients within the financial services, private capital, manufacturing, and retail industries. Commended as ‘technically excellent’, the team’s capabilities include advising on takeovers, acquisitions, demergers, and incentive schemes. Heading up the practice, Robert Collard leads the rewards team, with his recent caseload including advisory work for professional services and automotive companies. Collard also advises on remuneration policies, incentives plans, M&A tax and rewards issues. The ‘incredible’ Rasmus Berglund often leads on high-value, cross-border matters involving incentives arrangements, tax issues, and share plans, as well as issues arising out of complex corporate transactions, working for a range of clients in the retail, mining, and technology sectors. Mark Petch advises on share plans, remuneration, and employee benefit issues, while Philip Swinburn has recently advised global asset managers on employee incentive structures.

Mishcon de Reya LLP specialises in advising on strategy and implementing incentive arrangements for private equity firms, listed companies, and financial services organisations. Practice head Stephen Diosi is skilled at handling high-value transactions, often advising on share plans and awards matters. Specialising in tax issues, Liz Hunter is also skilled at advising on equity incentive arrangements, particularly in cross-border matters. Recognised as a ‘standout performer’, Sakhee Ganatra is notably strong in advisory work, with a focus on incentive-related issues arising from transactions, as well as the design and implementation of global share schemes and management incentive plans.

Pinsent Masons LLP primarily handles share plans and share and equity incentives arrangements, often working on cross-jurisdictional matters. Lynette Jacobs heads up the practice from London and Manchester, and she has broad capabilities spanning corporate governance, share incentives, and phantom award plans advice. In addition to her advisory work, Jacobs is skilled at acting on transactional matters for both public and private listed companies. James Sullivan-Tailyour frequently leads on matters involving global share plans, long-term incentives plans and the share incentive aspects of acquisitions. Helen Hibbert often assists with implementing share and cash-based plans, as well as handling tax issues across multiple jurisdictions.

Commended by clients as ‘a strong team with excellent technical knowledge and familiarity with all issues concerning share schemes,’ Travers Smith LLP has a broad employee share schemes and incentives offering, with a focus on advisory work. The team’s client roster consists of manufacturing, retail, financial services, entertainment, and technology companies. Heading up the department, Elissavet Grout has been recognised for her ‘well-rounded, creative advice’ and she Grout frequently leads on matters for housebuilding and financial services companies, advising on remuneration, employment tax, and equity incentive issues. Claire Prentice specialises in entertainment and retail matters, frequently advising on incentive arrangements, remuneration, and corporate governance-related mandates.

Addleshaw Goddard advises a diverse client base across industries such as manufacturing, real estate, and gaming; in particular, the practice demonstrates particular strength in the financial services and retail sectors. Practice head Jonathan Fletcher-Rogers has extensive expertise in advising on cash takeovers, incentive arrangements, executive share plans, and executive remuneration arrangements. Frequently working on multi-jurisdictional matters, Ann Moseley specialises in remuneration, incentives, and share option plan arrangements. Based in Leeds, Martin Griffiths is a key contact for advising on employee incentives issues.

Specialising in healthcare, technology, and financial services advisory work, the team at Cooley (UK) LLP is noted for its cross-border capabilities. Practice head Paula Holland is highly experienced in advising on international tax, option plan, and equity incentive arrangements. Nicola Squire focuses on national and international transactions, incentives, and tax matters, with a particular focus on clients in the AI and life sciences industries. Other key contacts include Jia Xie, Bethan Chalmers, and Alice Wong, who all frequently assist with a range of matters in this arena.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's offering encompasses national and international employee incentives advisory and transactional work for a range of clients, with a focus on the financial services, utilities, and asset management industries. Heading up the team, Danny Blum has been lauded by clients for his ‘exceptional knowledge and experience in the structuring and execution of schemes’. Blum is highly experienced in handling incentive plans, cash incentive structures, and employee trust issues for water companies, financial services firms, and healthcare businesses. Often working on cross-border deals, Victoria Green frequently assists with employee trusts, incentives, and transactional matters. Richard Surtees, who is skilled at advising on a range of tax and incentives issues, joined the practice from Slaughter and May in June 2024.

Specialising in employee ownership trusts, Fieldfisher is well equipped to handle transactional and advisory matters in relation to equity incentives, tax, and share option issues. Co-leading the team, Mark Gearing is highly experienced in advising on tax and equity incentives issues, with his client roster including technology, financial services, and listed companies. Alongside advisory work, practice co-head Neil Palmer specialises in employment ownership trust transactions and transfers. Jessica Kilkelly frequently assists with a range of national and international advisory and transactional matters, while Josef Korchinsky focuses on acquisitions for technology and software clients. Francesca Lo's broad client roster consists of energy, recruitment, and listed companies, while Igor Stermsek has recently advised clients within the engineering and financial services industries.

Lauded for its ‘commitment to excellence, innovation, and client-centric service,’ the practice housed at Norton Rose Fulbright is well-equipped to advise on incentive arrangements, employee benefit trusts, and tax-related  issues for global financial services, engineering, and technology companies. Practice head Matthew Findley frequently advises insurers and asset managers on share purchase plan and share option plan arrangements, often handling high-value, cross-border matters. With a focus on supporting mining and engineering clients, Barbara Gaffey handles management equity arrangements, tax, and incentives issues. Ed Spilman's client roster spans private equity firms, insurers, and asset managers, and Katharine Wadia is also experienced in these areas, frequently advising on all-employee plans issues.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is noted for its strong capabilities in national and international matters, working on high-value transactions, incentives, and tax issues. Heading up the team, Louise Batty leads on mandates involving takeovers, equity incentive, and global tax issues, while Kate Crompton is skilled at implementing employee benefit trusts and management incentive plans. The team is active in the handling of both advisory and transactional work, and has a notably broad client roster consisting of technology, sports, retail, and investment companies.

Taylor Wessing LLP provides cross-border advisory services with a primary focus on clients in the technology, consumer and retail, and life sciences sectors. Leading the team, Ann Casey is skilled at handling national and international equity incentives, executive plans, and global plans issues. Claire Matthews advises on incentives arrangements, tax, and employment ownership trust issues, while Katie Lewis frequently assists with demerger and management incentive plan matters.

Chaired by Edinburgh-based Nigel Watson, the team at Burges Salmon LLP advises listed and unlisted companies on reward structures, incentive plans, and remuneration issues. Watson is highly experienced in handling high-value matters for a range of clients, including banks and healthcare and energy companies. Also in Edinburgh, Claire Withers is a key contact within the team, frequently assisting on incentives, tax, and share option plan matters. Both based in Bristol, Will Davis and Sam Taylor are other key contacts within the team.

Specialising in the investment management industry, Dechert LLP is well-equipped to handle incentives and tax-related issues. The team is well-versed in handling cross-border issues, with a particular emphasis on matters involving the United States. Leading the team, Daniel Hawthorne is skilled at advising on option and cash incentive plans, as well as equity arrangement issues, and he is ably supported by Jason Butwick, who often handles mandates surrounding tax, regulatory, and incentives issues. Jennifer Hutchings is another key member of the team, regularly advising a diverse client base that includes asset managers, logistics providers, and pharmaceutical companies.

Postlethwaite Solicitors Ltd specialises in employee ownership trusts, advising a diverse client base that includes architects, technology companies, and law firms. The practice is jointly led by Robert Postlethwaite, a trusted adviser on acquisition, tax, and succession planning matters related to EOTs, and David Reuben, whose ‘pithy, analytical’ advice is valued by clients. Reuben focuses on designing and implementing ownership succession plans and also advises on employment tax and incentives. Judith Harris boasts expertise across a range of commercial and tax-related issues, and the ‘exceptional’ Hannah Tinsley is also experienced in these areas.

Headed up by the ‘commercially minded' and 'knowledgeable' Dan Sharman, the team at Shoosmiths LLP primarily advises private companies on share scheme aspects of M&A transactions. The practice also regularly assists with employee share options, tax issues, and share purchase agreements, often working on matters with cross-border elements. Marie Mann and Tom Wilde are other key contacts within the team, frequently supporting clients on equity incentives and investment issues.

Headed up by Nicholas Stretch, Stephenson Harwood's client roster primarily consists of asset management companies, private equity houses, and private companies. Stretch boasts expertise in advising on employee share plan and executive remuneration issues. Desiree De Lima frequently advises on incentives issues, as well as handling transactional work, while Grace England assists with employee share plan and equity arrangement matters.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP provides expertise in tax, private equity, and finance matters, frequently advising clients on cross-border mandates. The team is jointly led by Oliver Walker and Kevin Donegan, who are both experienced in employee share schemes, acquisition and equity, and cash incentives matters. Lizl Loubser, who specialises in incentives and remuneration, recently joined the team and has contributed to cross-border matters concerning the design and implementation of incentive schemes.

Headed up by Stephen Brown, the team at Akin specialises in advising clients within the financial services and private equity sectors. Brown is skilled at handling equity and joint venture issues, while Matthew Durward-Thomas provides clients with his expertise in international tax and regulatory issues. Iffat Ahmad is another key practitioner within the team, frequently advising on executive and management incentives plans.

Led the ‘outstanding’ Robert Birchall, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP boasts a broad client base encompassing the professional services, technology, energy, and healthcare sectors. Birchall is skilled at advising on private equity, tax, employee ownership trust, and incentives issues. Tessa Newman frequently assists clients with cross-border corporate taxation matters, while Lewis Currie is experienced in advising on M&A, incentives, and private equity matters.

With a focus on the financial technology, business software, and AI arenas, Goodwin handles a range of high-value, cross-border employee share scheme and incentives issues. Practice co-head Saba Rais has extensive experience in M&A transactions, with a particular focus on advising clients on equity and cash-based arrangements. Co-lead Anna Humphrey is skilled at handling a range of incentives, equity, and IPO matters, and she joined the team from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP at the beginning of 2025.

Specialising in employee ownership trust matters, the team at Jurit LLP has a diverse client roster straddling the construction, finance, legal, and technology industries. Praised by clients for his ‘deep commercial knowledge and technical experience’, practice head Jeremy Glover is well-versed in incentives, tax, trust, and buyback arrangement issues. Other key contacts within the team include Helen Cummings and Ian Burton.