Business Structure

You and your business partner may have a fantastic business idea and wish to launch your business as soon as possible, but before you do so it is vital that you give adequate thought to what type of partnership will best suit your needs.

A merger occurs when two companies, which are often about the same size, agree to join together to form a new entity. Mergers are friendly, whereas acquisitions tend to be more hostile and occur when a target company realizes that they have no option but to ensure their survival by being bought by the other company.

When most people think of starting a social enterprise they focus on the community benefit and often assume that it will need to be established as a charity. While charities are a sound corporate vehicle for these activities, the rigours of the Charity Commission and charity law can be quite restrictive in nature.

If you are considering setting up a business there are numerous decisions that you will have to make, including whether you will operate as a sole trader, in partnership with someone else or through a company. With the last two options, you will also need to think about the structure of your business.

If you are considering setting up a business there are numerous options about the vehicle through which you can trade.

Have you thought about outsourcing any of your business functions to a third-party provider? If so, you are not alone; many businesses have turned to outsourcing in recent years to achieve different business objectives, including: