Private Client, winter 2011: growing and protecting your wealth

Welcome to the winter 2011 edition of Private Client: the place for news and expert views on tax and investment issues for entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals

As winter draws in, our thoughts turn to those less fortunate than ourselves who may not have a roof over their heads during the festive season. In this edition, we look at the work of the Create Foundation – a social enterprise which works with homeless people to give them the chance of training, regular work and a career in the catering and restaurant industry. We explain how you can support similar community projects through private investment and bringing your own business acumen to the table.

Also in this issue, we look at the ongoing challenge of funding your children’s university education. Buying a property is one way to ease the financial burden on them, but we also look at other options that will make the most of your investment.

If you’re a UK resident and hold money or investments in Swiss bank accounts, you’ll be affected by the new UK Swiss tax deal. If you fall into this category, based on what was held at the end of 2010, you may be liable to a one-off levy on your funds of between 19% and 34%. We explain the detail of the deal and highlight the options you have before the deal comes into force on 1 January 2013.

As always, we end with our regular Meet our people feature. This time around we catch up with Adam Waller, who heads up our Private Client practice in the North West of the UK.