Tom Moore (Westbridge Tax) highlighted that high-net-worth planning succeeds when advisers focus on client objectives, not schemes. Key Points: Probe motivations—don’t accept objectives at face value. Tailored solutions outperform generic schemes. Examples: growth shares for estate growth, restructuring for tax-efficient cash extraction, gifting or trusts for succession flexibility. Takeaway: Bespoke, client-driven strategies using legitimate tax and legal tools deliver efficient, risk-managed outcomes.

At the Stellar Estate Planning Summit, Alastair Marsden (Nova Capital) and Sean Burrows (Stellar) explored the role of EIS in estate and tax planning. Key Points: EIS Overview: Supports early-stage businesses with 30% income tax relief, capital gains deferral, loss relief, and tax-free growth after three years. Downside risk ~38.5p per £1 invested. Economic Impact: Over £24bn raised, 33,000+ companies supported, driving jobs, innovation, and UK tech growth. Planning Relevance: Helps mitigate CGT and supports intergenerational wealth when integrated with diversified estate planning. Takeaway: EIS provides tax efficiency and exposure to high-growth opportunities, making it a valuable tool in modern estate planning.

Jeremy Giles (Jeremy Giles LLP) discussed tax planning for majority shareholders of SME trading companies at the Stellar Estate Planning Summit. Key Points: Trading vs Investment: Only trading companies qualify for Business Relief (BR); >20% investment activity risks losing status. Risks: Losing trading status forfeits BR and CGT reliefs. Planning: Regular reviews, gifting, trusts, or share sales can mitigate exposure. Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs): Offer IHT and CGT benefits, staff incentives, and succession planning if conditions are met. Takeaway: Maintaining trading status and using tools like EOTs enables tax-efficient exits and legacy planning, but specialist advice is essential.

The final Stellar Estate Planning Summit panel addressed barriers, communication, and strategies for effective estate planning. Barriers: Misconceptions, reluctance to discuss money or mortality, and conflicting family values. Communication & Engagement: Educate clients, simplify complex topics, show clear examples, and involve the next generation. Tax & Tools: Balance CGT and IHT; use business relief, trusts, structured gifting; ensure liquidity and flexibility. Top Tips: Collaborate with advisers, demonstrate impact visually, encourage early planning, and align advice with client goals. Takeaway: Effective estate planning combines technical solutions with proactive communication, intergenerational engagement, and collaborative advice.

At the Stellar Estate Planning Summit, Mark Marieux (Inheritance Solutions) outlined how residential property incorporation can create a tax-efficient legacy. Key Points: Moving buy-to-let portfolios into companies can reduce CGT, SDLT, and income tax, and improve IHT planning. Typically suited to clients with multiple properties or active portfolios. Combining incorporation with trusts or post-sale reinvestment into BR-qualifying assets enhances flexibility and tax efficiency. Takeaway: Property incorporation is an HMRC-compliant strategy to preserve and transfer wealth efficiently, offering advisers new planning opportunities.

At the Stellar Estate Planning Summit, Lee Coates OBE (ESG Accord) discussed how sustainable finance goes beyond ESG to include responsible investment, impact strategies, and UN SDG alignment. Adviser Role: Ask structured sustainability questions, include younger generations in planning, and avoid poorly framed queries that risk compliance or client dissatisfaction. Tools: ESG Accord provides questionnaires, due diligence, training, and multi-value portfolio options to match client preferences across investments. Takeaway: Sustainable finance helps advisers align investments with family values, engage younger generations, and protect long-term client relationships—ESG is just the starting point.

At the Stellar Estate Planning Summit, Betsy Butterick highlighted communication strategies for sensitive topics like inheritance and wealth transfer. Core Principle: Major requests require deep trust—strong relationships come first. Key Tools: Ask memory-driven questions to strengthen bonds Use inclusive language and settings Reframe negatives positively and make small language shifts Practice active, curious listening Avoid assumptions about family structures Frame requests around clients’ values Invite openness: “What haven’t I asked that you feel is important?” Takeaway: Estate planning success depends on empathetic, inclusive communication as much as technical expertise.