Case study: UK holding company: pros and cons

So you think you want a UK holding company? The UK is a great place to do business, and the exemptions available look good in theory, but when you actually apply them in practice it is not necessarily quite so easy. How are you planning to fund it? If equity, you'll need to think about the detail of the dividend exemption, and watch out if you're a "small company". Are you sure you'll have a "substantial shareholding"? Have a well thought out exit strategy before you start.