HoldCo Setup & Tax Strategy

I run two established UK limited companies and want to know whether joining them under a single holding company is the right move. My main driver is risk management from the naturally riskier company, with smoother intra-company lending a close second.

Here’s what I need from you:
• A clear, plain-English explanation of the legal structure and implications of a UK holding company, including how liabilities would—or would not—flow between the parent and each subsidiary.
• Practical tax guidance covering group relief, dividend flows, VAT grouping, stamp duty on share transfers and any other points that could materially affect the decision.
• An outline of the typical steps, filings and timelines involved so I can gauge cost, complexity and sequencing.
• A short Q&A call (30-45 min) to clarify follow-up questions once I’ve read your advice.

A concise written memo (PDF or Word) will form the main deliverable; the call can follow once I’ve reviewed it. If you regularly work with UK company formations, group reorganisations and HMRC submissions, I’ll value the insight you bring.