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Having qualified in 2000, Ian has over 25 years’ experience advising on employee incentives, including bonus/phantom equity plans, share incentive plans and manager equity arrangements. He is a former partner in Simmons & Simmons and K&L Gates and has also worked as a consultant for PwC.
Ian advises on all aspects of the design, drafting and operation of employee incentive arrangements, including tax efficient structuring (EMI, CSOP, SIP and SAYE plans and growth/hurdle share arrangements), corporate laws and corporate governance, securities laws and prospectus requirements, Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requirements, PRA/FCA remuneration regulations, employment law, employee benefit trusts, data protection and tax investigations. He also advises on managing employee incentive arrangements in the course of corporate M&A transactions, general issues relating to payroll taxes, social security liabilities, internationally mobile employees and compliance for global equity plans.
Ian has been recognized as a leading practitioner in the share schemes field by Chambers Legal Directory and the Legal 500, has spoken on employee incentives issues at conferences and seminars and has written articles and commentary for leading publications.
Ian is married with two children. His interests include music (he is an ex-professional saxophone player), football (a passionate Cowdenbeath fan) and rugby (Harlequins and Scotland!).
TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say
I really appreciated that they were both quick on their feet when it came to presenting documents to the other side. Jenni was great at explaining the implications and highlighting risk factors of various technical aspects in a clear and concise manor. It was clear that Matt, Jenni and Ian were there to protect our best interests from day one.
Phil Hayes
CEO,
Ticketsellers
Nikki, Ian and Tristan - many thanks for your assistance in what has been a very smooth sale process - Well done indeed.
Kingsley Tedder
Founder,
Mobius Group
Employee Ownership Trusts are quite a niche area, so while looking for a law firm that could give the correct advice, we were also looking for a team our client would approve of, being lawyers themselves. The price point was also attractive to us as we are a small business ourselves. As we act as an intermediary between our clients and lawyers, we always want to make sure our clients get the best deal possible whilst getting expert legal advice. Ian and the team at Harper James have been a pleasure to work with.
Kingsley Tedder
Founder,
Mobius Group
It's been fantastic - I've worked with 3 lawyers to date (commercial, incentive, employment) and all three have been very competent in their areas.
The value for money is unbeatable - I have already recommended it to another start up who plans to reach out shortly.
Colin Blakely
Head of Finance,
Qargo Tech Limited
We were very happy with the service provided and knowing we can also access other specialised areas of legal services support, as and when we need them, is very reassuring.
Liz Jenkinson
CEO,
Biocleave
I really appreciated that they were both quick on their feet when it came to presenting documents to the other side. Jenni was great at explaining the implications and highlighting risk factors of various technical aspects in a clear and concise manor. It was clear that Matt, Jenni and Ian were there to protect our best interests from day one.
Phil Hayes
CEO,
Ticketsellers
Nikki, Ian and Tristan - many thanks for your assistance in what has been a very smooth sale process - Well done indeed.
Kingsley Tedder
Founder,
Mobius Group
Employee Ownership Trusts are quite a niche area, so while looking for a law firm that could give the correct advice, we were also looking for a team our client would approve of, being lawyers themselves. The price point was also attractive to us as we are a small business ourselves. As we act as an intermediary between our clients and lawyers, we always want to make sure our clients get the best deal possible whilst getting expert legal advice. Ian and the team at Harper James have been a pleasure to work with.
Kingsley Tedder
Founder,
Mobius Group
It's been fantastic - I've worked with 3 lawyers to date (commercial, incentive, employment) and all three have been very competent in their areas.
The value for money is unbeatable - I have already recommended it to another start up who plans to reach out shortly.
Colin Blakely
Head of Finance,
Qargo Tech Limited
We were very happy with the service provided and knowing we can also access other specialised areas of legal services support, as and when we need them, is very reassuring.
Liz Jenkinson
CEO,
Biocleave
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