About

I have been helping businesses and business owners navigate the complexities of tax and incentives for twenty years. Where appropriate, I work closely with my colleagues in other teams to ensure that tax advice is integrated into our advice on corporate transactions, restructurings, incentive planning, property and commercial transactions. Any tax planning has to be right for the client, as well as right for the transaction – and it's crucial for it to be delivered in a way that's clear and easy-to-understand.

Outside of work, I try to balance my more sedentary pursuits (baking and hobby coding) with less sedentary activities like running and open-water swimming.

I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Experience

Corporate, M&A & tax

  • Advising sellers on the tax implications of business sales, helping to structure the transaction and also negotiate key items of tax risk
  • Advising buyers on their business acquisitions and helping to deal with tax and incentive challenges that are raised by due diligence
  • Helping businesses structure their shareholdings in a tax-effective manner, included negotiated exits of a founder or major shareholder

Commercial & real estate tax

  • Advising on all kinds of commercial transactions, with a particular emphasis on marketing, media & entertainment - from sponsorship arrangements and prize promotions, to talent agreements and marketing service deals. My practice encompasses all UK business taxes, as well as facilitating and negotiating cross-border transactions
  • Structuring employee benefit arrangements, such as medical benefit trusts and tax-efficient life insurance products
  • Advising on the tax implications of all kinds of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, lease arrangements, and construction projects

Employee incentives

  • Helping clients to navigate the full range of employee share and share option plans, including EMI options, nil-paid shares and hurdle shares
  • Advising on employee ownership trusts, and other employee ownership structures
  • Dealing with the employment tax issues that arise in relation to the full range of employee benefits
  • Navigating the issues that arise around global mobility and an increasingly flexible workforce
  • Analysing employee status and the application of the off-payroll working (IR35) rules

Testimonials

"Matthew Rowbotham was first rate throughout the process. He displayed technical precision and clarity over all relevant tax matters and we trusted him."
Legal 500

Services

Sectors