The UK authority on Family Investment Companies
Preserve your family's wealth. Keep control of it.
Family Investment Companies let UK families pass growth to the next generation, reduce inheritance tax exposure and retain decision-making power — without the entry charges of a trust. We explain how, and connect you with specialist advisers.
Confidential. No obligation. Two-minute assessment or a direct conversation.
- 40%
- Inheritance tax on estates above the nil-rate band — a FIC can move future growth outside it.
- 25%
- Corporation tax on a typical investment company's profits, versus up to 45% income tax personally.
- 0%
- Tax on most UK dividends received by the company from its investments.
Built with accredited UK advisers
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Family Investment Companies explained in 90 seconds
Want to know if a FIC suits your family? It takes two minutes.
Why families choose a FIC
Four reasons FICs have become the estate planner's structure of choice.
Since the 2006 changes to trust taxation, Family Investment Companies have become a popular alternative for families with £1m or more of investable wealth.
01
Inheritance tax planning
Cap the value of your estate. Properly designed growth shares held by children or grandchildren capture future gains outside your estate from the outset, with no seven-year wait on that growth.
02
Control without ownership
Founders hold voting shares and sit as directors. You decide investment strategy, dividends and timing; the next generation owns the value.
03
Tax-efficient compounding
Profits are taxed at corporation tax rates and most dividends received are exempt, so more capital stays invested for the long term.
04
Protection and succession
Articles and a shareholders' agreement restrict transfers, help protect family wealth on divorce and set a clear path for handing over the reins.
The FIC knowledge centre
Expert guides to Family Investment Companies.
Foundations
What is a Family Investment Company?
A private limited company used to hold and manage family wealth — combining the control of a company with the tax efficiency of investment structuring.
Read the FIC primerComparison
FIC vs Family Trust
Both structures pass wealth across generations, but differ sharply on control, taxation and flexibility. Understanding the trade-offs is essential.
Compare FICs and trustsTax
IHT benefits of a FIC
When structured carefully, a FIC can move future growth outside the founder's estate while retaining oversight through share class design.
Read about IHT benefitsProperty
Can a FIC hold property?
FICs are increasingly used to hold buy-to-let and commercial property portfolios — with corporation-tax treatment of rental income and structured succession of the underlying assets.
Read about property in a FICImplementation
Funding a FIC & transferring assets
Practical steps for capitalising a Family Investment Company — director loans versus share subscriptions — and the CGT and SDLT implications of transferring shares, cash or property into the structure.
Read the funding guide2026–27 changes
FICs and the new IHT rules
Business relief is capped from April 2026 and pensions enter the estate from April 2027. What the changes mean for family planning.
Read about the tax changesCosts
What does a FIC cost?
The one-off and annual costs of setting up and running a Family Investment Company, and when they are worth it.
See the costsBusiness owners
Selling your business?
How founders use a FIC to reinvest sale proceeds, keep control and pass future growth to their children.
Read the business sale guideComparison
FIC vs Family Limited Partnership
Corporation tax versus tax transparency — how the two structures compare on control, privacy and tax.
Compare FICs and FLPsPensions
FICs and pensions after 2027
How families are combining pensions and FICs now unused pension funds will count towards the estate.
Read the pensions guideCompliance
FIC accounting and filings
Accounts, tax returns, confirmation statements, identity checks and audit exemption explained.
Read the compliance guideTwo ways to start
Prefer to talk it through with a specialist?
Every family's position is different. Speak directly with an adviser experienced in structuring Family Investment Companies — or take the assessment first and we'll come prepared.
How it works
A discreet path from question to clarity.
01
Answer seven questions
Estate scale, family composition, existing structures, objectives and timeline.
02
Receive your suitability score
A tailored summary identifies where a FIC fits — and where it doesn't.
03
Speak with a specialist
If appropriate, a senior adviser will arrange a confidential consultation.
Suitability Assessment
A few confidential questions
What is the approximate value of your family's investable estate?
Including investments, property and business interests — excluding primary residence where relevant.
FAQ
Common questions
FICs are typically considered by families with investable wealth above £1m who want to retain control of capital while passing future growth efficiently to the next generation. They suit principals who value structure and discretion.
A straightforward FIC can be incorporated and capitalised within 4–8 weeks. Bespoke share classes, family constitutions and integration with existing trusts may extend that timeline.
No — that is one of the principal attractions of a FIC. Share class design allows founders to retain voting control and direct distributions, while economic interests sit with future generations.
Yes. Your responses are stored securely and only shared with the senior adviser introduced to you. We do not sell or share data with third parties.
An initial consultation is offered without charge. Should you proceed, advisers will provide a clear, fixed-fee structure prior to any engagement.