Moorcrofts Means Business

Management Teams, Exit Strategies and MBOs

Welcome to Series 4, Episode 4 of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast! In this episode, Corporate Partner Will Pearce and Corporate Solicitor Danil Galushko discuss management teams and exit strategies, with a particular focus on how strong leadership structures impact business sales, valuation, and deal success. As businesses prepare for sale or investment, the strength of the management team is often just as important as financial performance. This episode explores why early planning is essential and how management teams can directly influence the outcome of a transaction. In this episode they discuss key questions including: * When is a management team important in the context of a sale? * When should businesses start preparing for a sale and how does management readiness impact the process? * The role management teams play during due diligence and throughout a transaction * The types of sale structures businesses may consider and how management teams influence outcomes * Why buyers place significant importance on continuity of management post-completion * How earn-outs and deferred consideration can increase the importance of strong leadership teams * What a Management Buyout (MBO) is and why it can be an attractive exit route * The key issues businesses should consider when planning an MBO, including funding, deferred payments and management capability * Whether Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) can provide an alternative exit strategy * Preparing management teams for a successful exit and why early planning is essential Tune in to gain practical insight into how the right management structure can improve deal certainty, support business continuity, and help maximise value during an exit process.

Employment Law Update: What’s changing in 2026 and beyond

Welcome to Series 4, Episode 3 of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast! In this episode, Lindsey Abbott, Employment Partner at Moorcrofts, is joined by Joe Hughes, Practice Manager, to discuss some of the upcoming employment law developments and what they mean for employers over the next 12 months. With significant reforms on the horizon through the Employment Rights Act 2025 and beyond, this episode breaks down what businesses need to know now to stay compliant and prepared. In this episode they cover some key employment law changes coming into force, including:  * The new duty on employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment * Strengthened protections around third-party harassment in the workplace * Changes to unfair dismissal rights, including reduced qualifying service and removal of compensation caps * Increased employment tribunal time limits from 3 to 6 months * Upcoming reforms to fire and rehire practices and contractual variation rights * The growing importance of managing performance and conduct within shorter timeframes * Changes to flexible working requests and the higher threshold for refusal * Expansion of trade union rights and employer obligations * Introduction of the Fair Work Agency and its role in enforcement * Practical steps employers should prioritise in the next 3–6 months Tune in to gain a clear understanding of how these significant employment law reforms could impact your business, what practical steps you should be taking now, and how to stay compliant in a rapidly changing legal landscape.

Renting business premises – what to expect from the legal process

Welcome to Series 4, Episode 2 of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast! In this episode, Julia Ferguson, Partner and Head of Commercial Property at Moorcrofts, is joined by Sharan Uppal, Associate in the Commercial Property team, to discuss the legal process of acquiring commercial premises. They explore what happens after heads of terms are agreed, why the process can take longer than many tenants expect, and the key legal and practical issues businesses should be aware of when entering into a commercial lease for the first time or even the second. They cover: * What happens after the heads of terms are agreed * Key issues to consider * Repairing obligations, surveys and schedules of condition * Fit-out works * What else is involved when negotiating a commercial lease * Title investigations * CPSE enquiries and searches * Timing * Post completion requirements For more information, read our article on 'what to expect when renting commercial premises the legal process explain [https://moorcrofts.com/what-to-expect-when-renting-commercial-premises-the-legal-process-explained/]'. Tune in to gain a clear understanding of the commercial leasing process, avoid common pitfalls and learn how early legal advice can help protect your business and manage costs effectively.

EMI Schemes after the Autumn Budget

Welcome to Series 4, Episode 1 of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast! In this episode, Corporate Solicitors Heather Stewart and Conor Stacey from Moorcrofts’ Corporate Team discuss the recent changes to Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) schemes announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget and what they mean for growing businesses. They explore how these changes could make EMI schemes accessible to a wider range of companies and explain what businesses with existing EMI arrangements need to be aware of. They cover: * The key changes to EMI Schemes announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget * Increases to employee and gross asset limits and what this means for eligibility * Changes to the company-wide share option limit * The extension of the EMI option exercise period from 10 to 15 years, including potential retrospective application * Updates to HMRC notification and reporting requirements Tune in to understand how these changes could impact your business and how EMI schemes can be used to attract and retain talent as your company scales.

Neuroinclusion: How do we get our people to bring their best self to work

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 10 of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast In this episode, Employment Solicitor Leah Waller is joined by Jen Smith, owner and founder of The Curious Mentor, to explore how businesses can foster truly neuroinclusive workplaces and environments where everyone can bring their best self to work. Jen and her team at The Curious Mentor provide coaching, mentoring, accessibility workplace assessments, psychometric analysis, team building, accessibility audits, and training — all aimed at helping organisations become more inclusive, accessible, and effective. As a disabled and neurodiverse woman, Jen brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. She’s also involved in The Lilac Review, a government-backed initiative focused on improving opportunities for disabled and neurodiverse people in entrepreneurship and employment. Together, Leah and Jen explore the topic of neuroinclusion and discuss how employers can ensure their people are supported to bring their best selves to work. They cover: * The rise in employment tribunal cases involving neurodiversity and what this means for employers. * Why increased awareness and identification are influencing how neurodiversity is understood in the workplace. * The limitations of a “one adjustment fits all” approach and why personalisation matters. * Practical steps and quick wins employers can take to create more inclusive, supportive environments. * The importance of the human element, having open, honest conversations to understand individual needs. * The importance of proactively offering adjustments rather than waiting for employees to ask for help. Tune in to gain insight into how neuroinclusive practices can benefit both individuals and organisations, fostering more engaged, productive, and empowered teams.