Insights & research
Articles from our advisory team
Substance Requirements for Offshore Structures: New Rules Post-BEPS
How the OECD's BEPS project and the global economic substance rules that followed have fundamentally changed the requirements for legitimate offshore corporate structures.
Read article →InvestmentsIntroduction to Structured Finance: CDOs, CLOs, and Tranched Credit
Structured finance — the repackaging of cash flows into tranched securities with different risk and return profiles — has a chequered history but a significant present. This guide explains the mechanics, the 2008 crisis lessons, and how today's CLO market differs from its CDO predecessor.
Read article →InvestmentsChoosing a UK Investment Platform: The Complete Comparison Guide for 2026
With dozens of platforms competing for UK investors' assets, the fee differences are significant — particularly for large portfolios. This guide compares HL, Interactive Investor, AJ Bell, Vanguard UK, Fidelity, and Interactive Brokers on cost, range, and service.
Read article →Property InvestmentStamp Duty and Property Transfer Taxes: A Global Comparison
A country-by-country comparison of stamp duty and property transfer taxes for international buyers — covering the UK, UAE, Spain, Thailand, Greece, Singapore, and beyond.
Read article →Tax PlanningSDLT Planning and Mitigation: A Practical Guide for Property Investors
Stamp Duty Land Tax planning: mixed-use relief, multiple dwellings relief, partnership transfers, first-time buyer relief, SDLT on divorce, incorporation stamp duty, Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) differences, and linked transactions.
Read article →Property InvestmentSDLT for Overseas Buyers: The 2% Non-Resident Surcharge Explained
Overseas buyers of UK residential property face the standard SDLT rates, the 5% additional dwelling surcharge, AND the 2% non-resident surcharge — potentially stacking to over 19% on the upper price bands. Here is everything you need to know.
Read article →Property InvestmentStamp Duty Land Tax: A Complete Guide for UK Property Buyers
Stamp Duty Land Tax applies to most UK residential and commercial property purchases. The rate structure is complex, with surcharges for additional properties and non-UK residents adding significant cost. Understanding SDLT is essential before committing to any UK property transaction.
Read article →Property InvestmentStamp Duty Land Tax in 2026: Rates, Surcharges, and Planning
SDLT rules changed significantly following the October 2024 Autumn Statement and subsequent Budget. This guide sets out the current rates for residential and non-residential property, the additional dwelling surcharge (now 5%), the non-resident surcharge, and key planning points.
Read article →Property InvestmentSPVs and Offshore Structures for Property Investment: What You Need to Know
A practical guide to Special Purpose Vehicles and offshore holding structures for property investors: how SPVs work, tax treatment, ATED, offshore company ownership of UK property, and the post-2017 non-dom rule changes.
Read article →Wealth ManagementSpousal Bypass Trusts and Pension Death Benefits: A Planning Guide
How spousal bypass trusts work to pass pension death benefits outside the estate, the post-April 2027 IHT changes to pension death benefits, the difference from life insurance trusts, and trustee obligations under the Trust Registration Service.
Read article →InvestmentsESG Investing: A Guide for Internationally Mobile Investors
ESG investing has grown from a niche ethical stance to a mainstream consideration for institutional and individual investors alike. Understanding what it means — and what the evidence actually shows — is essential before committing capital.
Read article →News & UpdatesTax and Investment Planning for US Expats in Costa Rica
Costa Rica continues to attract US expatriates for several practical reasons. It offers political stability, a high quality of life, and a territorial tax system that does not impose local tax on foreign-sourced income. However, for US nationals, relocation alone does not fundamentally change their
Read article →Financial PlanningFinancial Planning for Internationally Mobile Sports Professionals
A sports professional's career lasts 10-15 years. The financial decisions made during those years determine security for the remaining 50+ years of their life. Here is the planning framework they need.
Read article →Tax PlanningSplit Year Treatment: How It Works for Leavers and Arrivers
Split year treatment divides your UK tax year into a resident and non-resident part — understanding the eight cases that trigger it is essential for expats leaving or arriving in the UK.
Read article →Tax PlanningSpanish Tax for British Expats After Brexit: A Complete Guide
Spain remains a top destination for British expats, but the tax picture has grown more complex since Brexit. A comprehensive guide to Spanish tax for UK nationals in 2026.
Read article →Tax PlanningSpain's Beckham Law Explained: The Special Expatriate Tax Regime in 2026
Spain's Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados — the Beckham Law — explained: 24% flat rate for six years, the 2023 reforms extending it to the self-employed and digital nomads, the application process, and how to maintain eligibility.
Read article →Property InvestmentSpain Property Market 2026: A Guide for International Buyers
Spain property in 2026: regional price comparisons across Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia; non-resident tax rules; NIE process; mortgage access post-Brexit; and tightening short-let regulations.
Read article →Property InvestmentSpanish Property Investment: Costa del Sol vs Barcelona — A Guide for International Buyers
A comparative analysis of Spain's two most popular property investment markets — the Costa del Sol and Barcelona — covering prices, yields, transaction costs, tax rules and market risks in 2026.
Read article →Expat LifeSpain's Non-Lucrative Visa for British Retirees: The Complete Financial Guide for 2026
The Non-Lucrative Visa remains the main route for British retirees moving to Spain. This guide covers income requirements, Spanish tax on UK pensions and investments, healthcare, and the most popular regions.
Read article →Expat LifeLiving in Spain as an Expat: Beckham Law, Pensions and Property
Spain offers one of Europe's most generous special tax regimes for incoming expats — the Beckham Law — alongside strong property markets, a quality lifestyle, and important planning considerations for pensions and UK obligations.
Read article →Market AnalysisSovereign Wealth Funds: How Government Investment Vehicles Shape Global Markets
Sovereign Wealth Funds collectively manage over $15 trillion — more than all hedge funds combined. Their investment decisions shape global property, equity, and bond markets. This guide explains what SWFs are, how the largest ones work, and what their strategies mean for private investors.
Read article →News & UpdatesTariff Countdown: How Global Markets and Commodities Are Responding
As the tariff countdown approaches, global markets and commodities brace for impact.
Read article →Market AnalysisSovereign Debt Crises: Case Studies, Investment Strategies, and Lessons for Private Investors
From Argentina to Greece to Zambia, sovereign debt crises have created both catastrophic losses and extraordinary returns. We examine real case studies, explain how sovereign bond restructuring works, and identify what — if anything — private investors should do.
Read article →Market AnalysisSovereign Bonds: A Guide for International Investors
Sovereign bonds — government debt — are among the most widely held assets in the world. For internationally mobile investors, they offer currency diversification, capital preservation, and a reliable income stream. This guide explains how they work, the key markets, and how to use them effectively.
Read article →Speak to a Global Investments adviser
Our independent advisers work with internationally mobile clients on pensions, investments, tax planning, protection, and international financial structures.