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Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
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Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
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Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
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Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
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People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
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Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
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Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
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Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
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Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
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Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
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Global Mobility Services
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Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
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Tax Disputes and Investigations
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VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
Insights from Advisory Partner, Paul Prenter
Key Policy Change: Changes to Business Property Relief (BPR)
The reduction in Business Property Relief (BPR) for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes, effective from April 2026, is a significant change for business owners.
“Labour’s budget in November brought tax changes that are going to have a significant impact on succession planning for business owners,” explains Advisory Partner Paul Prenter. “The reduction in BPR relief for IHT purposes has not received a lot of airtime yet, but this will change through the course of the year, and succession planning discussions will come increasingly to the fore.”
Historically, BPR provided 100% relief on qualifying assets (e.g. unquoted shares in a business), allowing them to pass to beneficiaries free from IHT. From April 2026, BPR will reduce to 50%, creating an effective c.20% IHT charge on the value of company shares upon death. (The first £1m of agricultural or business assets can still benefit from 100% relief).
For a business valued at £20 million, this change translates to an IHT liability of up to £4 million which needs to be financed and paid within six months.
Increase in business sales
As a result of these tax policy changes, more business owners may opt to sell their businesses during their lifetimes. Early succession planning and business valuations will become essential in navigating this change.
Dynamic funding landscape: Availability of growth capital
The funding landscape for growth capital and derisking has never been stronger, with a significant increase in activity from local, national and international investors. Funds across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the US are increasingly looking to invest in Northern Ireland.
We are seeing a lot of momentum, including from Whiterock Capital and 57 Star’s dedicated NI investment funds. Foresight, BGF, Cordovan, Clarendon, Melior, Renatus, MML are amongst many other funds who are highly active, offering a diverse range of investment options and opportunities.
New opportunities for businesses
For companies seeking to scale or owners looking to take cash off the table, 2025 presents significant opportunities.
“The availability of funding for growth capital, and for owners to take cash off the table, has never been greater,” says Paul Prenter. “There is an abundance of options. It is an exciting time.”
However, to maximise value, businesses must:
- Develop a robust, well-informed business plan;
- Ensure financial projections are clear, realistic and investor ready.
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)
EOTs allow a tax-free sale of a business to its employees, provided certain conditions are met. They represent a highly attractive option for succession planning but are underutilised in Northern Ireland.
EOTs have many benefits, including:
- Preserving the culture and values of the business while rewarding employees;
- Generating sale proceeds that are free from Capital Gains Tax (CGT); and
- Establishing a sale process in which the owner has full control, resulting in fewer risks to confidentiality, less stringent due diligence and greater execution certainty compared to an external sale.
EOTs can be particularly relevant in industries where external sales may be challenging or tend to attract lower valuation multiples. They’re an ideal opportunity for owners who prioritise legacy and want to reward their employees, and for companies with strong cash reserves. If CGT rates increase in future budgets, EOTs will become even more attractive as a tax efficient exit strategy.
Our proven track record in M&A
Our Deal Advisory team is proud to be ranked No.1 in Northern Ireland for transaction volumes over the past three years (Experian verified). In 2024, we successfully advised on a number of high-profile deals, including:
- Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd: Sale to Saint Gobain;
- Boyce Precision Engineering: Transition to employee ownership through an EOT;
- Colinwell: Sale to RTU;
- Heron Bros: Sale of a 100MW battery storage project to SSE;
- Fane Valley: Investment in Ready Egg;
We also advised on numerous private equity investments, including:
- BGF investment in Connected Health
- Foresight investment in TES
- Melior investment in Blair Caravans
Global opportunities: Grant Thornton US Transaction
Our recent Grant Thornton US transaction strengthens our ability to deliver seamless cross-border M&A solutions. This collaboration enhances opportunities for clients accessing international markets, whether buying, selling or raising finance.
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