BDO LLP UK

2026 Budget Preview and Predictions Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget on 28 October will carry a heavy weight of expectation from both his party and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who is in a hurry to deliver ‘real change’ for voters. Businesses and individuals will also be hoping for help with the costs of doing business and rising household costs. But will the international economic headwinds have calmed by the autumn giving him a window of opportunity for positive policy moves?

Confidence in personal, financial and regulatory stability is weakening, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWs) are facing a pressing challenge: how can they navigate succession, taxation, relocation and long -term planning when certainty is so scarce? We undertook extensive research to explore the challenges facing the wealthy and their advisers.

Improving accountability in sports – Lessons from funding reviews of local federations Local federations play a key role in sport development, turning international ambitions into action at the national and community levels. To support them, international sports governing bodies allocate significant funding to programmes aimed at growing participation, nurturing talent, and ensuring sustainable development of sports.

VAT on Locums Update on the VAT treatment of locum doctors (applicable to NHS Trusts, GPs/medical providers, and providers of locums). Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s appeal was allowed in its First Tier Tribunal VAT case on 16 September 2025, confirming that the supplies of locum doctors who are deputising should be exempt from VAT. HMRC argued that these supplies should be subject to VAT at the standard rate.

Effective liquidity risk management has never been more critical for investment firms. Following the FCA’s March 2025 multi-firm review, it is clear that regulators expect firms to demonstrate stronger, more proportionate controls—grounded in established liquidity risk management principles and the enhanced requirements of the ICARA process. A robust framework for managing liquidity risk supports stronger financial resilience, reduces regulatory risk and could avoid costly remediation efforts.

BDO has advised the shareholders of leading risk, compliance and safety specialist, Helix International Group Limited (“Helix International Group”), on securing a significant investment from Queen's Park Equity (QPE) to support and continue its impressive growth trajectory.

Company boards are facing increasing pressure, challenge, and scrutiny. The need for effective and sustainable governance has never been more important. So what can boards do to help ensure long-term and successful governance? We have partnered with Board and leadership recruitment specialists Norman Broadbent to explore the key areas boards need to think about when planning for the future. This includes skills development, succession and strategic fit.

Commenting on the changes to Employee Ownership Trusts and Enterprise Management Incentive share option schemes announced at the Budget, Matthew Emms, National Head of Share Plans and Incentives at BDO LLP said: “There’s been exponential growth in the popularity of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in recent years as they’ve provided effective succession and exit planning opportunities for founders and substantial benefits to businesses through greater employee engagement, retention and...

BDO wins multiple regional deal awards across the UK in 2025 Demonstrating market-leading deal advisory capability across the UK BDO’s regional deal advisory teams have been recognised with multiple award wins across Business Insider 2025’s Deal Awards schedule. The awards highlight the firm’s strengths across M&A, transaction services, capital markets, ESG due diligence, restructuring, valuations and corporate tax — demonstrating BDO’s position as a leading adviser in the UK mid-market.

Plugdin Interview: When vision meets hunger: Interview with Gauthier van Malderen, CEO of Perlego Students and academics need access to valuable research, but this often comes at a high personal cost. The alternative? Turn to second-hand books or piracy.