Becoming a minority shareholder or investor in a business may lead you to believe that, given the limited rights you will have, there are not many important considerations to take into account. However, even a minority investor needs to protect their interests as much as possible and to be able to share or exit its investment in a fair manner. While minority shareholders may not usually benefit from voting rights, it is important to ensure they have access to drag along or tag along rights which provide them with a fair exit. All investors need to know what their rights…

February’s cabinet reshuffle saw the creation of a new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), headed up by Michelle Donelan. The new Secretary of State says the department will promote growth, encourage the creation of new jobs and bolster innovation.   For the first time, the five technologies of tomorrow: quantum, AI, engineering biology, semiconductors and telecoms, will be brought together under one umbrella department. Also included within its remit will be life sciences and green technologies.   But what exactly does it mean for UK startups and scaleups operating or planning to operate within the sector?   Big hopes for…

Becoming or working towards being a greener business is nothing new, but the pressures are mounting to take environmental issues more seriously as an important corporate responsibility, and to show real action and commitment beyond just marketing puff. Using sustainable packaging, or planting a tree, or giving back to a good cause is no longer enough. Savvy consumers, increased public awareness, and competitive market forces mean a business must dig further into its supply chain to reduce risk, and demonstrate its position with actions and words, including their contractual commitments. Who wants your business to become greener? The pressure to…

In light of the spiralling cost of traditional forms of energy and an increasing urgency to hit clean energy targets, renewable energy solutions are becoming more attractive, which is why, more companies are investing in sustainability, cleantech and the drive to net zero. The period 2000 to early 2002 alone saw £80.95bn invested from 2,400 investors into the sector in the UK – equivalent to 18% of all European investment in the sector. Energy production had the highest level of investment at more than £20bn, followed by energy asset cleantech at £17bn.   In this article we look at some of…

New rules are planned in the UK to support the need to speed up the development of offshore wind farms. The Government has unveiled a new Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (OWEIP) to help to reduce the time taken in the planning process for proposed developments. It can currently take around four years to gain consent and the new process aims to reduce this to around 12 months. The OWEIP is designed to strengthen commitments in the Government’s British Energy Security Strategy (BESS). Published in April 2022, this set out how the UK will accelerate its transition away from oil and gas, moving towards renewable sources…

The government has unveiled plans to ramp up auctions for its flagship renewables scheme. Changes include plans to award contracts every year - doubling the previous frequency. The renewed urgency for the scheme, under Contracts for Difference (CfDs) trading rules, come at a pivotal moment for energy production in the UK and beyond. Rocketing energy costs are hitting household budgets hard and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made matters even worse, further driving up energy prices. The government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy says its revised strategy will support renewable electricity producers and boost the UK's renewable energy…

The government has unveiled plans to ramp up auctions for its flagship renewables scheme. Changes include plans to award contracts every year - doubling the previous frequency.