Our team

Founder of our firm and a regular speaker on employee ownership in the UK and overseas, Robert is one of the UK’s leading experts in employee ownership and employee share schemes mainly for SMEs.

He has particular expertise in:

• arranging ownership succession through transfers of ownership to employee trusts, including tax-advantaged employee ownership trusts (EOTs)
• helping private and listed companies find the right employee share plan to match their needs, then looking after all aspects of legal implementation

A graduate in law from the University of Bristol, Robert was a partner in a national firm of corporate lawyers before founding Postlethwaite in 2003. He is a Ranked Lawyer in his field in the Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession.  He is a member of the Share Plans Lawyers group and the tax panel of the UK200 Group (a group of independent, quality assured professional advisers).

David is a highly experienced share scheme and employee ownership lawyer. His main areas of expertise are:

• advising all types of company on management incentives, ranging from cash bonus plans to more bespoke tax efficient schemes
• takeovers and refinancing, helping management and vendor shareholders ensure that their tax liabilities are minimised
• where employment is being terminated, helping employers and/or employees minimise their tax liabilities
• designing and implementing Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

David has an LLB in law with German from King’s College, London. He was an employee benefits partner at an international City law firm or many years, before moving to Postlethwaite in February 2010. He is a Ranked Lawyer in his field in the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.

Robin’s 16-year career has focussed on the financial aspects of employee ownership, using financial modelling to inform decisions on the transaction structure, group reorganisations, and how to balance the interests of all stakeholders. After qualifying at a Magic Circle law firm, Robin refined his skills within the financial services team at a Big Four accounting firm covering valuations, accounting for employee ownership, and the taxation of Employee Ownership Trusts.

His areas of expertise include;

• Designing and implementing EOT transactions that align with the commercial objectives of all parties involved.
• Promoting understanding of business valuation and the affordability of transactions
• Leveraging financial acumen to raise capital for smooth ownership transitions and providing a strategic financial viewpoint throughout the sale process
• Documenting transactions comprehensively, focusing on both the EOT and corporate sale perspectives to ensure legal and financial integrity
• Implementing tax-advantaged share schemes to enhance stakeholder alignment and motivation.

Beyond facilitating EOT transactions, Robin actively contributes to industry discussions and initiatives, aiming to broaden the understanding and adoption of employee ownership.

Toby joined us in October 2018 and is an experienced senior share schemes and employment tax lawyer.

He has over 15 years experience specialising in employee share schemes, employment tax advice and employee ownership for a wide range of private and listed companies. In particular, he has advised on and implemented a variety of tax-advantaged and non-tax-advantages incentive arrangements for many companies.

He also specialises in designing and implementing Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from LSE in 1991 and gained experience at a number of firms including DLA Piper, Deloitte and Grant Thornton, before joining the team at Postlethwaite. He is a member of the Share Plan Lawyers Group.

Judith has been with Postlethwaite since 2007 and advises clients on employee ownership and employee share schemes.  Her particular expertise includes:

• employee ownership transactions from design to completion;
• helping companies design and implement new EMI and other share option plans;
• agreeing valuation for EMI purposes with HMRC; and
• advising on the registration of EMI options with HMRC.

A graduate in law from the University of Manchester, Judith qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and worked for a many years in the area of general company and commercial law, particularly for clients in the entertainment industry, before joining Postlethwaite.

Judith is also a member of the Share Plan Lawyers Group.

Hannah joined Postlethwaite in 2022. She assists the solicitors with work across employee ownership trusts and share schemes matters.

Hannah graduated in law with LLB (Hons) from University of Sussex in 2019. Since graduating, and prior to joining us she worked as paralegal with a focus in employment law.

Lorna joined Postlethwaite in 2022. She has several year’s experience of office management and general business management across a variety of sectors including working in a dental practice and a large central London Law firm. She also sits on the membership council of the Employee Ownership Association (EOA).

Her main areas of responsibility include:

• IT, office administration and premises management;
• Financial management;
• Practice development and client care;
• General PA support to the team.

Alison joined us in 2019 after working in the education sector for a number of years. Before that, working in the finance departments of major international companies. She handles the firm’s bookkeeping and accounts as well as assisting in all areas of administration and the general running of the practice.

Her main areas of responsibility include:

• financial administration
• general PA support for the team
• assisting with client management

Marie joined Postlethwaite in 2021 as Marketing Manager.

She has over fourteen years’ experience in marketing within financial and professional services and is responsible for all aspects of marketing at Postlethwaite.

Jennifer joined in 2024 to help the team with all administrative tasks.

Prior to joining Postlethwaite Jennifer worked for ten years in the recruitment sector initially in a sales/database support role before moving into a payroll position. She then took a career break to look after her young family.

She’s now excited for the opportunity to work with Postlethwaite and gain experience within a new industry.