Sarah Balchin - Steven & Bolton LLP

About

Since joining Stevens & Bolton in 2014 from a City firm, Sarah has advised clients ranging from start-ups to multinationals. Her corporate tax practice includes advising on M&A, private equity transactions, growth capital investments, restructurings, UK real estate and stamp taxes.

With a background in procurement in the oil industry, Sarah provides clear, pragmatic tax advice with a commercial focus. She has a particular interest in designing and implementing employee share schemes as well as exit planning strategies and shareholder-related tax issues.

Sarah is a member of the Shareplan Lawyers group and the Lifesciences sector team at Stevens & Bolton.

Expertise

Corporate exits Real estate tax Share schemes Tax advisory Life sciences

Experience

Recent work
- Acted for Clínica Baviera S.A. on the acquisition of Optimax Laser Eye Surgeries, providing an entry to the UK market.
- Advice to the selling shareholders of a longstanding client (including its Australian and USA subsidiaries) to a US private equity firm, including the exercise of employee share options.
- Continued to act for a longstanding FTSE 100 company client on their UK portfolio acquisitions.
- Advice to numerous clients on the design and implementation of a range of equity incentives, including adaptations of US stock plans for UK employees.
- Multiple exit tax planning and management advisory tax mandates in both trade and private equity acquisitions.
Qualifications and recognition

Sarah holds a Master of Chemistry with Industrial Experience degree from the University of Exeter. She is ranked as an Associate to Watch in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Acted for Clínica Baviera S.A. on the acquisition of Optimax Laser Eye Surgeries, providing an entry to the UK market.
Advice to the selling shareholders of a longstanding client (including its Australian and USA subsidiaries) to a US private equity firm, including the exercise of employee share options.
Continued to act for a longstanding FTSE 100 company client on their UK portfolio acquisitions.
Advice to numerous clients on the design and implementation of a range of equity incentives, including adaptations of US stock plans for UK employees.
Multiple exit tax planning and management advisory tax mandates in both trade and private equity acquisitions.

Sarah holds a Master of Chemistry with Industrial Experience degree from the University of Exeter. She is ranked as an Associate to Watch in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.