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Be a responsible employer and prepare for the 2026 UK HR employment legislation changes occurring. With some of these changes coming into effect this April, find out what you need to adjust within your policies and procedures and don’t be caught off guard in any HR related situations.

This seminar will be hosted by the expert HR team here at Goodwille and will ensure all grounds are covered to ensure you are fully up to date on the changes within the employment landscape.

Our HR Manager Jacqui Brown & Senior HR Advisor Helen Watson will discuss:

• 6-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal
• Unfair dismissal claims
• Harassment
• Pay Rate changes
• Much more…

Our most popular seminar… and for good reason.

For more information on our HR services and how we can help with anything mentioned in our seminars, visit our HR page here: https://goodwille.com/human-resources/

You can read 24/25 Employment Rights Bill Press Release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/employment-rights-bill-to-boost-productivity-for-british-workers-and-grow-the-economy

Bringing goods into the UK from abroad involves more than just shipping and delivery. There are important processes to follow, and these apply to all shipments, regardless of the country the goods are sent from.

If you’re importing products, the first thing you’ll need is a UK VAT and GB EORI number. The EORI is your Economic Operator’s Registration and Identification number, and it’s essential for customs clearance. Without it, your goods won’t move through customs smoothly.

Once your goods arrive, customs will assess any duties and import VAT that need to be paid. Depending on what you’re importing and where it’s coming from, tariffs may also apply. Whilst import VAT can be reclaimed on your VAT return, duties and tariffs will affect your bottom line. So, it’s important to understand what costs you might face up front.

You should instruct your freight forwarders to use postponed import VAT accounting (PIVA), which means import VAT isn’t payable when importing goods and is just included on your UK VAT return as statistical information only. This has no cash flow impact.

To make managing these payments easier, many businesses set up a duty deferment account. This lets you delay paying customs duty and import VAT for a set period rather than paying immediately at the border. It’s a useful way to improve cash flow and simplify your import process.

Another key point is knowing who the importer of record is. For many, this will be the UK business—basically, the person or company responsible for ensuring your goods comply with all UK import laws, paying the correct duties and taxes, and submitting the right paperwork. If you do not have a UK business but are using a freight forwarder or customs broker, they might take on this role.

Navigating customs declarations and making sure your goods comply with UK regulations can be complex, but getting it right means your products reach the market without unnecessary delays or penalties.

At Goodwille, we help businesses understand these processes and set up the right systems to manage importing efficiently and compliantly. If you’re looking to bring goods into the UK, get in touch and let us guide you through the journey.

Looking to innovate or scale your business in the UK? There are a number of government-backed incentives designed to help reduce costs and accelerate growth. And many international businesses don’t realise they’re eligible. Here’s a quick look at some of the schemes available.

If your company is investing in innovation, you may qualify for research and development (R&D) tax relief. Put simply, this is a reduction in your corporation tax liability should you be undertaking qualifying activities. This can include costs relating to staff, software, utilities, consumables, and more.

If you’re loss-making, you may be able to claim enhanced deductions on qualifying R&D costs or receive a cash credit. Larger businesses or those in receipt of grants may fall under a separate scheme offering a tax credit. To qualify, your project must seek a scientific or technological advance and involve some level of technical uncertainty.

The UK also offers various grant and funding opportunities, often targeted at specific sectors, regions, or innovation goals. These may come in the form of matched funding, direct grants, or competitive funding rounds. However, it’s important to understand how these interact with tax credits, as some forms of funding may reduce or shift your R&D tax relief eligibility.

With regular changes in funding opportunities, our partners can help you identify which incentives your business may qualify for, structure projects in the most efficient way, and ensure claims are accurate and compliant.

Closing down your UK operations is never a decision taken lightly. Whether you’re refocusing your strategy, ending a project, or stepping back from the market, it’s essential to follow the correct procedures.

If you’re closing a UK subsidiary that’s solvent, you’ll normally pursue voluntary dissolution. That starts with settling your balance sheet, filing a final corporation tax return with HMRC, and making sure creditors are paid. Once this is complete and HMRC has been notified you’ve ceased trading, you submit a DSO1 form to Companies House. Assuming no one objects, your company will be struck off the register around 2 months later.

If you still have staff on the payroll, you’ll need to manage redundancy before starting the process. UK employment law gives people rights, so a fair consultation process is vital. You’ll need to meet with affected employees, explain why roles are being made redundant, explore alternatives, and follow any collective consultation rules if you’re making multiple redundancies. Statutory redundancy pay and notice periods must be honored, and everyone should receive a clear redundancy letter. Only once the redundancy process is complete and final payroll runs have been made can you move on to closing the company itself.

If you owe money to creditors and can’t pay what’s due, voluntary dissolution isn’t an option. Instead, a formal liquidation process will be required, typically through a creditor’s voluntary liquidation (CVL). This ensures assets are distributed fairly and transparently and allows directors to meet their obligations while reducing personal risk. Continuing to trade while knowingly insolvent can carry serious consequences. So early professional advice is key.

Even if your UK footprint has been relatively modest, closing the chapter cleanly protects your reputation and limits future risks for the parent company. At Goodwille, we support you through every stage, from handling redundancies with care and compliance through finalising your year-end accounts to filing the DSO1 and confirming your company’s removal from the register.

If you’re considering winding down your UK entity, get in touch. We’ll make sure you follow the right process, treat your people fairly, and complete your closure with confidence.

When setting up in the UK, understanding your financial reporting obligations is key. Whether you’ve incorporated a UK subsidiary or registered a branch, you’ll need to prepare and submit accounts, but the requirements differ depending on your structure.

A UK subsidiary is a separate legal entity, meaning it must prepare its own set of financial statements in line with UK accounting standards. These need to be filed annually with Companies House, and depending on the size of the business, they may also need to be audited. Subsidiary companies in the UK are generally required to be audited unless an exemption applies. If the group exceeds certain thresholds on turnover, assets, or employee numbers, an audit may still be triggered even if the UK entity is small. This is particularly relevant for EU parented groups, as UK audit rules apply independently.

On top of this, all UK companies, subsidiaries included, must file a corporation tax return each year with HMRC. This is based on your accounting year end and must include accurate financial information, a tax computation, and any applicable claims or reliefs. Even if your company hasn’t made a profit, you still need to file.

Now, if you’re operating as a UK branch, meaning your overseas company has registered a presence in the UK without incorporating a separate legal entity, the rules are slightly different. A branch doesn’t file standalone UK accounts, but you’ll still need to submit a copy of your parent company’s accounts to Companies House, translated into English if necessary. And just like with a subsidiary, any UK income is still subject to UK corporation tax and must be reported accordingly.

If your UK subsidiary carries out qualifying research and development activities, you may be able to claim R&D tax relief, a government incentive designed to encourage innovation and reduce your corporation tax liability. If your entity is registered as dormant with Companies House, you still have to file dormant accounts and inform HMRC that the entity is not trading.

Getting your financial statements in order is important to stay compliant, avoid penalties, and ensure transparency with HMRC and Companies House. At Goodwille, we support both UK subsidiaries and branches with the preparation, filing, and compliance processes so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.

Need help navigating UK reporting requirements? Get in touch with our finance team.

Handling personal data is now part of everyday business, but with that comes real responsibility. Whether you’re collecting customer details, managing employee records, or simply storing emails, how you protect that information is crucial, and every business, regardless of size, should take it seriously.

In the UK, data protection laws are designed to keep people’s information safe and make sure businesses operate transparently and fairly. The regulator overseeing this is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which enforces the rules and provides guidance to help companies stay on track. Most businesses processing personal data will need to register with the ICO as a first step.

At the heart of UK data protection is the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act, which require businesses to collect, store, and use personal data responsibly, only for legitimate purposes, and with appropriate security measures in place. Whilst UK GDPR is similar to that of the EU, there are some nuances that should not be overlooked.

Of course, mistakes can happen, and when personal data is lost or exposed, it becomes serious. If your business suffers a data breach, you must report it to the ICO within 72 hours and, in some cases, inform the people affected. Acting quickly can reduce the impact and help avoid possible heavier penalties.

People also have rights when it comes to their data. For example, anyone can ask your business to show them the personal information you hold about them. This is called a subject access request (SAR), and you have to respond in the given time frame unless the request is unusually complex, to demonstrate that you’re handling data properly.

You also need to keep detailed records of how you process personal data. This is known as records of processing activities (ROA), and it helps prove your transparency and accountability to the ICO.

UK data protection is about much more than avoiding fines. It’s about respecting people’s privacy and safeguarding your business reputation. Whilst it applies to all businesses, those with employees or working B2C are arguably more at risk and should ensure the correct processes are in place.

If you’re unsure where to start or how to stay compliant, the team at Goodwille is here to help you navigate the UK’s data protection rules with confidence.

When setting up a business in the UK, insurance probably isn’t the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important. Whether you’ve got a team on the ground, an office space, or you’re simply providing a service, having the right cover is crucial for staying compliant and protecting your operations.

Putting together an office policy will provide cover across a broad range of areas. Let’s break down some of the insurances you may require.

Employers’ liability insurance. This one’s a legal requirement if you have employees in the UK. It protects your business if an employee becomes injured or becomes ill because of their work. The law says you need at least £5 million worth in cover, and without it you could face hefty fines.

Public liability insurance. Not mandatory, but highly recommended. This covers you if someone outside of your business, like a client or member of the public, is injured or has their property damaged because of what you do. If you’re exhibiting at trade shows, this is likely to be required.

Professional indemnity insurance. If your business gives advice or provides professional consultancy services, this is key. It protects you against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in the work you deliver. In many industries, it’s required by professional bodies, public and private tenders, or as part of client contracts.

Office insurance. If you have a physical office in the UK, this type of policy typically covers contents, equipment, and damage caused by things like fire, flood, or theft. Depending on your setup, you might also want to consider directors and officers insurance to protect key individuals.

Other policies to consider include cyber insurance, especially if you hold client data, and product liability if you manufacture or sell goods. If you have certain policies in place in your home market, these may cover your UK entity requirements, so it is worth reviewing these before placing UK policies.

Insurance in the UK shouldn’t just be a tick box; it’s a safeguard. And while not every policy is mandatory, the right protection can save you a lot of hassle.

If you’re running a business in the UK, health and safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal obligation. And whilst all employers must ensure a safe work environment for their workforce, if you have five or more employees, you are legally required to have a written health and safety policy in place.

It’s an area that’s often overlooked. But getting it right protects your people, your reputation, and your business. Under the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act, all employers have a duty to ensure the safety of their employees, customers, and anyone affected by their operations. The exact requirements can differ depending on your industry, and they may be quite different from the regulations in your home country.

If you run a manufacturing facility or operate in construction, your policy will need to cover far more detail than a small office-based business. Even if your team works remotely, you still have responsibilities, such as carrying out DSSE (display screen equipment) assessments to ensure safe homework. Failing to meet UK health and safety standards can result in fines and prosecution. Having employers’ liability insurance is also a legal requirement, so you’re covered in case of a workplace injury or illness claim.

We work with health and safety practitioners to carry out full audits of your work environment, identifying risks and ensuring your policies meet UK requirements. From these audits, we help you create tailored policies that suit your business and industry.

Whether you’re managing an office, a factory, or a hybrid team, we make sure your health and safety responsibilities are clear, compliant, and cost-effective to maintain. Health and safety is about protecting your people and your business. Goodwille can help you do both.

Opening a bank account in the UK is an important step when setting up your business here, but can often be challenging and a lengthy process. With increasing pressures on banks to verify business owners and with obligations to know your client, the appetite to provide facilities to businesses with international directors or shareholders has reduced over the years.

Here are our tips to provide you the best opportunity on opening a facility promptly. Despite requiring a UK facility, we recommend contacting any existing banking relationships you already have, regardless of their location. This may be the bank in your home market as a lot of overseas banks have capabilities to open a UK facility.

Determine your banking requirements in the UK in advance, as some NEO banks may provide you a suitable solution, but these may come with limitations. These often cannot be used for sponsorship licenses.

If you plan to relocate people to the UK as part of your UK expansion, get yourself prepared with required documentation to help streamline the process. This should include identification, company registration details, and details of your business activities.

If you’re an overseas company without a UK presence, some banks may be more cautious or require additional documentation. Choosing the right bank and account type will depend on your business needs, how you plan to operate in the UK, and your expected transaction volumes.

Goodwille has supported hundreds of companies through the UK bank account application process, helping to navigate the paperwork and regulatory requirements smoothly. If you’re considering your options, it’s a good idea to get specialist advice tailored to your business.

If you’re entering the UK market, you need to understand how tax works here. And it’s often more complex than it looks. So, what taxes might apply to your business?

All UK companies and overseas companies with a UK presence pay corporation tax on their profits. There are different rates depending on the level of profit, with marginal relief in between. If your company has associated companies, those thresholds are shared between them. Branches or establishments only pay tax on profits that can be attributed to UK activity.

VAT applies to most goods and services. If your taxable turnover reaches the registration threshold, you must register, or you can choose to register voluntarily. For overseas businesses with no fixed UK base, known as non-established taxable persons, the threshold is zero. So you must register from your first taxable supply. There are several VAT rates. The place of supply rules decide if UK VAT applies. For goods, that’s usually where they’re delivered. For services, it depends on the customer and their location. Once registered, you’ll need to charge VAT, submit returns, and keep the right records.

If you employ people in the UK, you’ll need to operate PAYE, deducting income tax and national insurance from salaries and paying it to HMRC. Employers also make their own national insurance contributions. So remember to factor that in.

Depending on your structure and industry, you may also need to think about import/export duties, stamp duty, or sector-specific taxes. If you occupy commercial property in the UK, you may be liable for business rates, a local tax based on your property’s value.

Getting early advice can help avoid unexpected costs and ensure you’re fully compliant. We support international businesses with all aspects of UK tax compliance, from registering for VAT to making sure you meet corporation tax deadlines and filing requirements. Whether you’re just entering the market or scaling fast, we’ll help you stay compliant at every stage.