National recognition for our team has been received with the firm named as a finalist in the ‘Best EIS/SEIS Tax Advisor of the year’ category at the EISA Awards every year since 2018, and winning the accolade in 2024.
Our team provides the full range of venture capital trust (VCT) advice, from advising on structuring of investments, reorganisations and exits, reporting to boards on ongoing approval obligations, to liaising with HMRC to obtain advance assurances (where required), and providing opinions to a range of VCT boards, EIS funds and investment managers.
Our knowledge and understanding of the UK VCT and EIS tax provisions means we can deliver innovative solutions to VCT/EIS investors while maintaining compliance with the letter and the spirit of the VCT/EIS legislation. This is borne out by the number of VCT/EIS investors who instruct us on a regular basis and refer us to others. Understanding the requirements of HMRC, the investor and the investee company are the key to our success, allowing us to come up with creative ideas which satisfy all parties.
We are an active member of the EIS Association, the Association of Investment Companies and the BVCA and regularly advises clients on responses to Government consultations in the VCT/EIS arena, as well as submitting our own.
We are a member of the VCTA Advisors Working Group which is working with HMRC to improve guidance and influence policy. We are also a member of the AIC VCT Technical Committee and the EISA Tax and Technical Committee.
Our credentials
Our client-centred approach has delivered excellent results over a number of years, further evidenced by our award-winning track record.
Tom Wilde, head of Shoosmiths’ team, said: ‘Our consistent recognition at EISA awards showcases the strength and depth of our national venture capital team. We have a unique offering of being able to provide high-quality EIS, VCT and corporate advice all under one roof.
That, combined with a brilliant team of talented people working for clients across the UK, means we are a real force to be reckoned with in the VC market.’
“Shoosmiths' tax team has 'very strong knowledge of venture capital trust regulations.'
Recent experience includes:
- Acting for Beringea LLP on its VCT investment into YardLink, a digital procurement start-up in the construction sector, as part of YardLink’s $17.5m Series A funding round.
- Acting for Octopus Ventures on over 40 new and follow-on investments VCT and EIS in the past 12 months. We have advised on investments for Octopus into companies based in the USA, Israel, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland.
- Acting for Gresham House on its £4.5m VCT/EIS investment into Orri, a specialist clinic for the treatment of eating disorders.
- Advising the board of the multiple VCTs, including all the VCTs managed by Octopus Ventures, on the ongoing conditions required to maintain VCT approval.
