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Lease Auditing Now Available

Leasing can drive business growth but poorly structured contracts may include hidden fees, unfair terms, or excessive commissions, posing risks to businesses. Whether it's aesthetics or office equipment, reviewing Lease Agreements carefully is crucial to avoid financial pitfalls.


Our expert, with over 30 years in the UK leasing industry, uses insider knowledge to help businesses save costs. We offer a no-risk, fully compliant audit: if we can't save or recover money for you, there’s no fee. Dr David Eccleston, founder of MediZen, has praised our independent Lease reviews for saving his clinic tens of thousands of pounds.

Autumn Budget Changes

National Insurance (NI) contributions for employers will rise by 1.2% to 15%, with the NI threshold reduced to £5,000. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates will increase to 18% for basic-rate and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers, while gains on business assets will be taxed at 14% from April 2025, rising to 18% by 2026.


Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds are frozen until 2030, with new 20% rates on business and agricultural assets over £1 million. Stamp duty on second homes will rise to 5%, and VAT on private school fees, along with the removal of rates relief, is expected to raise £1.8 billion. These measures represent a tightening on tax obligations for assets and high-value transactions.

Teak Investment Update

Early syndicate members are reaping the rewards of their working relationship with Mere Plantations. This is a recent photograph taken at the plantation in Ghana where the Teak trees are being harvested! Teak wood is an incredibly sought after resource and this wood could be used for some stylish new furniture or even the deck of a super yacht. 


If you don't currently invest in Teak, what are you waiting for? Speak to our team and buy your Teak today.


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We've Moved!

Our new office address is The Curious Guys Limited, Chapel House, Leicester Road, Loughborough, LE11 2AF. Why not get in touch to come and visit?


Chapel House is an extra ordinary conversion to the highest standards of a Victorian, Gothic Revival style building, originally designed by Bellamy and Hardy in 1850. In Nicholas Pevsner's Buildings of Leicestershire and Rutland they were described as the finest in the County.


We're delighted to be settled in our new home!

Shielding your Assets

The team here at The Curious Guys is pleased to announce that our sister company, Oak Shields Estate Planning Limited, has launched. Oak Shields offers:


Estate Planning: whether you are looking to create or update your Will, set up Lasting Powers of Attorney or more, the Oak Shields team is fully qualified to assist.


Secure Document Storage: The Oak Shields team can keep your Wills, LPAs, and other essential Estate Planning documents safe for when your family needs them in fire-proof and tamper-proof facilities.


The Curious Guys endorses Oak Shields to support our clients and we believe that all of our clients should give urgent consideration to these services to protect themselves in the event of death or incapacitation.
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Call 01530 446531, email hello@oakshields.co.uk or visit www.oakshields.co.uk to find out more.

Death Grants (BSP)

Death Grants are a very niche and under-utilised resource that the majority of the UK are unaware of. If an individual passes away under their pensionable age, their next-of-kin can apply for a Grant of up to £2500 to help with funeral costs and other expenses. This grant is paid by the Government within 72 hours and is a simple process for the next-of-kin to undertake. Furthermore, if eligible, the next-of-kin could also receive 18 payments of £350.


The next-of-kin could be eligible if their partner:

  • Paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year
  • Died under the “Pensionable Age”.

Silk of the Year Award - Teak Plantation's Board Member

Michael Rawlinson QC, a non-executive board member of Mere Plantations and a key figure of the wider team, has been awarded Silk of The Year 2019 for his field of practice. The Silk of The Year awards are in place to celebrate the work of Barristers who have achieved excellence in their key fields of practice. The awards are issued by the Chambers UK Bar who conduct rigorous independent research which is then used to rank each Solicitor and Barrister in their field. This research highlights major achievements from the past year, including exceeding in client service, outstanding work, and impressive strategic growth. This award is well deserved by Michael and, not only does it demonstrate the calibre of the man himself, it is also indicative of the quality of the Mere Plantations’ team. Really well done, Mike, from all of us here at The Curious Guys.

HMRC: Million Pound Blunder!

HMRC has recently acknowledged that it over-estimated the Glasgow Rangers' tax bill by £50 million. Additionally, the Revenue has also lost a tribunal against the Cobalt Scheme where £263 million worth of trading losses have been deemed as acceptable.

These events, along with the Loan Charge Review, are a reminder to the public of how sometimes HMRC can make mistakes!

British MP Visits Our Teak Plantation

In early August 2019 Andrew Bridgen, MP for NW Leics, visited our teak plantation in Ghana. Andrew is aware that everything we do at the plantation is counted towards the UK's Carbon Neutral by 2050 target. Our tree-planting also helps the UK Government fulfil other treaty obligations such as those under The Paris Climate Accord, Trading with the Developing World, and Trading with the Commonwealth.

Andrew's visit was invaluable in demonstrating the sheer size of the plantation and his trip was endorsed by The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Trade.

We would like to thank Andrew for spending a few days at the plantation and highlighting the positive work being done by The Curious Guys and Mere Plantations to combat climate change.

Andrew Bridgen (MP) with a plantation worker
L-R: Mike Rawlinson QC, Jamie Mackenzie (TCG), Susie Owen (TCG), Mark Hogg (Mere), Harriet Baldwin (Minister), Andrew Bridgen (MP)

Our Visit to The House of Commons

On 8 May 2019, the two Directors from The Curious Guys were invited by Andrew Bridgen, MP, along with Mark Hogg from Mere Plantations and Mike Rawlinson QC, to present our work on the Teak plantation to Harriet Baldwin, MP, Minister of State for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister of State at the Department for International Development. The purpose of the presentation was to demonstrate how our endeavours can assist the UK Government in meeting its international treaty obligations.

Harriet was extremely interested and expressed gratitude for our work in the important area of climate change. Andrew stated his desire to visit the plantation in the coming months.

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