Editor, International Investment at Incisive Media
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Articles by Mark Battersby
Tree Care Business Ownership Transition: Key Considerations
Photo courtesy of Natalya Kosarevich/iStock. Transitioning ownership of a tree care business, large or small, requires careful planning. Preparing for the transition involves more than financial considerations – it also requires addressing operational, cultural and leadership factors. Without that preparation, owners may have fewer options, potentially reducing the value of the transaction or resulting in expensive delays.
Tree Care Business Valuation Methods Every Owner Should Know
Private equity (PE) investment has brought new attention to valuation in the tree care industry. But not every company will pursue outside investment, and not every owner wants to sell. Understanding value is useful no matter what path a business takes, whether the goal is growth, transition, retirement or simply making better decisions. So what goes into valuing a tree care business? Valuating any business requires analyzing what is owned by the operation and how much revenue it generates.
Solutions for Today’s Payroll Problems
Surveys in many industries show that payroll can represent as much as 40 to 60% of a business’s operating expenses. Today, payroll is no longer just about complying with the rules and making timely payments. Every employer faces countless rules and regulations that are constantly in flux and that regulate payments made by a marina or boatyard to its workers. Modernizing the payroll process can help avoid the potential traps created by mistakes and ommissions.
How to Set Proper Retail Prices
According to SCORE, the Small Business Association’s (SBA’s) education and mentoring partner, 80% of small business owners underprice their products or services. Unfortunately, it is those prices that determine the operation’s profits and play a role in whether customers will deal with the business at all. Understanding if prices are too low or too high is important to the success of every business that caters to the firearms and hunting market.
Save Your Retail Store Money by Cutting Overhead
If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Join other Outdoor Retailers who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Yes, overhead costs help reduce the bite of taxes. But that same overhead is also reducing the profits possible from the tactical retail shop or business. While overhead is often ignored, now might be a good time to think about its role in both the operation’s profitability and its survivability.
Investing in Equipment and Infrastructure
In today’s economy and in the competitive landscape faced by every marina and boatyard, investment in infrastructure, such as dock improvements, dry storage automation and the equipment that is essential in maintaining operational efficiency, impacts every aspect of the operation. To get the best results from any capital investment, there must be a plan that addresses both the marina or boatyard operation’s short- and long-term needs.
Handling Nonpaying & Bankrupt Clients in Construction
It doesn’t take too many nonpaying customers to create an expensive problem. Far too often today, construction business owners must be concerned not only with their own operation’s financial well-being, but also the financial situation of both customers and suppliers. There are always customers that go out of business without warning — or without paying their bills. In these cases, it is often too late to collect anything.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Join other Outdoor Retailers who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. The new Budget Reconciliation Law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), prevented a $4 trillion tax hike from occurring at the end of February 2025, extending -– and making permanent -– the temporary tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Tax Traps and How to Avoid Them
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) extended the statute of limitations for many tax provisions, making it more important than ever for marina and boatyard owners and managers to be aware of the many “traps” among the tax rules, new and old. Employee or Independent Contractor Misclassifying employees as independent contractors continues to be a trap for unwary marine-related businesses.
The Right Entity for Your Firearms Business
If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Join other Outdoor Retailers who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Is the entity used to operate your firearms business costing you money? Although many of the tax law’s provisions apply to all business entities, some areas of the law specifically target each type of entity.
Where Are All of the Workers?
If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Join other Outdoor Retailers who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Archery retailers are not alone when it comes to finding themselves short of the one thing they need to thrive and grow: workers. Approximately 5 million workers have left the United States workforce since 2020.
Planning Now for Renewed Tax Savings (Conclusion)
CHICAGO — The owners and operators of most self-service laundries rely on the tax-saving abilities of professionals or software programs. Substantial tax savings are, however, largely the result of moves undertaken before the close of the tax year. There’s still time for the vended laundry operator to ensure enough hours have been worked to constitute “material participation” in the business.
Planning Now for Renewed Tax Savings (Part 1)
CHICAGO — The owners and operators of most self-service laundries rely on the tax-saving abilities of professionals or software programs. Substantial tax savings are, however, largely the result of moves undertaken before the close of the tax year. There’s still time for the vended laundry operator to ensure enough hours have been worked to constitute “material participation” in the business.
Tax Deductions for Attending Trade Shows and Other Events
Industry events such as The Docks Expo and Marina Conference are a good way to gain know-how, find new suppliers, capture marketplace intelligence and network with other industry professionals. Best of all, Uncle Sam, in the form of our tax laws, is willing to pick up a portion of the expense of attending, at least for some.
Marina Operations and How to Take Advantage of Available Tax Cuts
The new budget reconciliation law, or “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),” prevents an over $4 trillion tax hike from occurring at the end of 2025 by permanently extending many of the temporary tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Of interest to many marina and boatyard owners and operators, however, are the many business-related tax breaks, such as the deductible profits of pass-through businesses.
Big Beautiful Business Tax Breaks
The many items addressed by the new Budget Reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),” include changes, new deductions, and technical modifications that will impact every security business, from global operations to small lockshops. These changes will require the owners and managers of many security businesses to adjust their tax strategies; in fact, the OBBBA complicates tax rules in several ways, meaning business executives face new rules and compliance costs.
Agriculture and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Photo by James Lorimor The recently enacted Budget Reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) will, according to the White House, cut taxes for agricultural operations by over $10 billion. Despite retaining and making permanent the 21% tax rate for incorporated businesses, the new bill will help the 98% of farming operations operating as pass-through business entities.
Inside the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
By Mark Battersby By Mark E. Battersby The new budget reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), prevents an over $4 trillion tax hike from occurring at the end of this year by extending and making permanent the temporary tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Big Beautiful Business Tax Breaks
The many items addressed by the new Budget Reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),” include changes, new deductions and technical modifications that will impact every integration business, from global integrators to small businesses.
Tax Savings at the State and Local Level
Appeared in print as "Tax Savings at the State and Local Level" The owners and executives of many tactical businesses complain about federal taxes. However, more often, the state and local tax burden is far greater for those who operate in one jurisdiction or more than one. What’s worse, many of those state and local laws change from year to year. Plunging revenues have prompted many state and local governments to step up their pursuit of taxes.
Digital Payments - Is There A Downside?
Skip to content Main Navigation Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: Many automotive repair and service shops are in danger of falling behind, becoming less profitable and losing customers because today’s business world is becoming increasingly technical in nature. So-called “digitalization,” the process of adopting digital technology, is rapidly impacting on the funding and financial services that are so important to repair shops and businesses.
Guinness Global Investors opens Dublin office
Guinness Global Investors has opened its Dublin office, signalling its commitment to increasing fund management within the EU and strengthening its presence in Europe. The office, located in Merrion Square, is home to a new subsidiary, Guinness Asset Management (Ireland) Ltd (GAMIL). Guinness has been managing Irish-domiciled funds since 2007 and has established strong relationships with the Central Bank of Ireland and local service providers.
Ardan retains its B rating for financial strength from AKG
Ardan International has once again been awarded a B rating (strong) for Financial Strength by AKG. And the specialist firm also reaffirmed Ardan’s maximum five stars for service. All of this means Ardan has the highest combined rating of any international platform reviewed by AKG. Ardan CEO Sarah Dunnage said: ‘It’s great to receive external validation from AKG and I’m proud that we have maintained our B rating, as well as five stars for service.
Legacy platform players 'may be left behind' by newer entrants
P1 Investment Services, operator of the P1 Platform, believes that the newer UK platform players will be the companies setting the standards for delivering value for money to clients, potentially leaving legacy giants behind unless they can rapidly change their operating models and tech stacks. The investment firm says that new entrants have the “speedboat-like qualities” of speed and agility.
Franklin Templeton to merge local Polish entity with Quercus
Franklin Templeton has entered into an agreement on cooperation to merge its local Polish entity, Templeton Asset Management (Poland), the management company of its locally-domiciled UCITS funds with Quercus, an independent Polish asset manager with $1.9bn in AUM as of 30 April 2025. The completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including court and shareholder approvals.
Blacktower FM expands DIFC presence with new talent, growing strategic focus
Blacktower Financial Management is strengthening its position in the Middle East with key developments at its DIFC office, reinforcing its commitment to serving internationally mobile clients with "best-in-class financial advice". In a statement on 12 May, it said that since launching in the Dubai International Financial Centre in January 2024, Blacktower had made "rapid progress in building a specialist team and enhancing its footprint across the region".
Blacktower FM expands DIFC presence with new talent, growing strategic focus
Blacktower Financial Management is strengthening its position in the Middle East with key developments at its DIFC office, reinforcing its commitment to serving internationally mobile clients with “best-in-class financial advice”. In a statement on 12 May, it said that since launching in the Dubai International Financial Centre in January 2024, Blacktower had made “rapid progress in building a specialist team and enhancing its footprint across the region”.
Just one week to go before II Connect 2025
The fourth annual II Connect 2025 event, to be held in London, has just one week to go before it takes place on 20 May – there is still time to register here, so don’t miss out on a packed and insightful agenda. The impact of the UK Labour Government’s new policies on the cross border advice industry and the Trump effect are among key topics to be discussed, set around a case study which is great for CPD.
Just one week to go before II Connect 2025
The fourth annual II Connect 2025 event, to be held in London, has just one week to go before it takes place on 20 May - there is still time to register here, so don't miss out on a packed and insightful agenda. The impact of the UK Labour Government's new policies on the cross border advice industry and the Trump effect are among key topics set to be discussed, set around a case study which is great for CPD.
How platforms can help overseas investors avoid costly own-goals
It was reported earlier this year that former England football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson was £3.8 million in debt when he died. He blamed his plight on his financial adviser, whom he first met while abroad, says Mark Maplesden, Novia Global’s principal representative officer in Dubai. The news that such a successful and seemingly sophisticated figure ended his days owing a huge sum of money sparked widespread astonishment. Many people were amazed that he could be duped to such an extent.
Alexander Beard opens 2nd office in South Africa
Alexander Beard (South Africa) has opened its 2nd office, situated in Cape Town, under the direction of managing director Warren Berriman. The new branch will be offering ABSA’s usual mix of domestic and expatriate focussed personal financial planning as well as focussing on group pension plan business for SME companies in the Cape Town area. Paul Beard, founder and executive chairman of Alexander Beard Group, said: “I am delighted to see the continued success and development of our SA business.
Two out of three advisers caught up in family bust-ups during IHT planning
Nearly two out of three (63%) of advisers have reported encountering family disputes while assisting with Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, new research from investment manager Downing shows. Its study with advisers and wealth managers found family disputes are more likely during IHT planning than when estates are settled – just 26% questioned said they had experienced family tension over estates.
IHC launches global reinsurance platform in ADGM with strategic partner BlackRock
IHC, a global investment company focused on building dynamic value networks, is excited to announce plans to establish a new AI-driven reinsurance platform headquartered in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This new platform, yet to be named, will provide critical underwriting capabilities, underpinned by cutting-edge AI technologies, to help accelerate the rapid growth in the Gulf region and support the continued evolution of regional capital markets.
Azimut takes a controlling interest in HighPost Capital
Azimut Group, one of Europe’s largest independent asset managers, via its US subsidiary Azimut Alternative Capital Partners (AACP), has entered into an agreement to increase its ownership in HighPost Capital, from 15% to 56%, to attain a controlling stake. This strategic move reflects the shared commitment of both companies to deepen their collaboration and build on a successful partnership that has been in place since HP’s founding.
Pre-II Connect Q&A: Isle of Man's Simon Pickering and Michael Crowe
As part of our run-up to the II Connect event on 20 May, G&M Media managing director Gary Robinson speaks with Simon Pickering, Head of Insurance and Pensions at Isle of Man Department for Enterprise and Michael Crowe, CEO of Finance Isle of Man, in this insightful Q&A. Register here to attend the event. Gary Robinson (GR) Hi Simon, great to catch up with you speaking about II Connect on the 20th of May this year. We're very excited for our 4th Annual II Connect event.
Exclusive: Sean Kelleher resigns from Mondial Dubai after 35 year stint
After 35 years building Mondial, one of the UAE’s oldest financial planning and wealth management firms, Sean Kelleher said today (8 May) he had decided to leave as chairman of its board.
Canada Life guru John Chew to give technical insights at II Connect
Don't miss out on Canada Life guru John Chew's financial planning technical insights at II Connect as the countdown to the big day gets closer.
Exclusive: Sean Kelleher resigns from Mondial Dubai after 35 year stint
After 35 years building Mondial, one of the UAE’s oldest financial planning and wealth management firms, Sean Kelleher said today (8 May) he has decided to leave as chairman of its board.
Quilter Cheviot Europe acquires Irish investment advisory firm
Quilter Cheviot Europe Limited (QCE), the Irish subsidiary of wealth manager Quilter Cheviot, has acquired Dublin-based investment advisory firm, GillenMarkets. GillenMarkets was founded fifteen years ago by Rory Gillen and currently advises over €0.6bn of assets for c.500 families. As part of the acquisition, the firm’s founder, five investment advisers and their support team will join QCE’s Dublin-based team.
Brown Advisory opens office in Abu Dhabi Global Market
Brown Advisory, an independent and privately held global investment management firm that oversees US $161.7bn in client assets globally, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in response to growing client demand for its global and US equities and fixed income strategies. Brown Advisory’s new office in the ADGM underscores its commitment to the Middle East, where it has been advising clients from the UAE and the wider region for over a decade.
Quilter Cheviot Europe acquires Irish investment advisory firm
Quilter Cheviot Europe Limited (QCE), the Irish subsidiary of wealth manager Quilter Cheviot, has acquired Dublin-based investment advisory firm, GillenMarkets. GillenMarkets was founded fifteen years ago by Rory Gillen and currently advises over €0.6bn of assets for c.500 families. As part of the acquisition, the firm’s founder, five investment advisers and their support team will join QCE’s Dublin-based team.
ASIC acts against Macquarie Bank for repeated compliance failures
ASIC has imposed additional conditions on Macquarie Bank (Macquarie) Australian financial services licence after multiple and significant compliance failures – some going undetected for many years and one for a decade. The compliance failures relate to Macquarie’s futures dealing business and its over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trade reporting.
Graphene takes over ownership and operation of Marborough Select Platform
Wealth management technology solutions specialist Graphene, an Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider, has taken over ownership and operation of the Marlborough Select Platform, which is an investment platform for advisers and their clients.
Non-dom exodus could cost the Treasury £12.2bn
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to remove tax exemptions for non-doms could lose the Exchequer £12.2bn over this parliament, according to new research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). Commenting on the CEBR figures, Marc Acheson, Global Wealth Specialist at Utmost Wealth Solutions, said: "These figures are unfortunately not surprising.
M&A challenges for European asset managers 'often outweigh' benefits
M&A challenges for European asset managers 'often outweigh' benefits, according to Morningstar's just published report on consolidation in the European asset management industry. Monika Calay, director of UK manager research at Morningstar said: “The European asset management industry faces growing competitive pressure, including from large, scale-driven US firms.
Manulife launches new Dubai office for HNW clients
Manulife has opened its new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), "marking a significant expansion" of its Global High-Net-Worth (HNW) business. In a statement today (6 May), it said this move positions Manulife as the first international high-net-worth insurer in DIFC with a Category 4 license empowering it to advise and arrange on life insurance contracts dedicated to serving the burgeoning wealth and insurance needs of the Middle East.
Franklin Templeton and Lexington Partners launch Lux-domiciled PE fund
Franklin Templeton has unveiled the Franklin Lexington PE Secondaries Fund (FLEX-I), a sub-fund of the Luxembourg-domiciled Franklin Lexington Private Markets Fund SICAV SA range. It comes to market with over $875m in assets under management from a diversified investor base internationally across APAC, EMEA, Canada and Latin America.
Fidelius takes stake in IFA Vobis
Fidelius, Bath-based IFA firm, on 1 May announced its investment into Vobis Ltd, a financial planning business specialising in high-net-worth clients. Fidelius will acquire a non-controlling holding in Vobis Ltd and will support the growth ambitions of Vobis through a long-lasting partnership improving both productivity and technological efficiency.
ASIC cancels Australian financial services licence of Brite Advisors
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said today (2 May) it has cancelled the Australian financial services licence (AFS) licence of Brite Advisors Pty Ltd (Brite Advisors) following a payment of compensation by the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR). On 30 September 2024, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) made a determination against Brite Advisors, which it failed to pay.
ASIC cancels Australian financial services licence of Brite Advisors
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said today (2 May) it has cancelled the Australian financial services licence (AFS) licence of Brite Advisors Pty Ltd (Brite Advisors) following a payment of compensation by the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR). On 30 September 2024, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) made a determination against Brite Advisors, which it failed to pay.
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