Tapestry Compliance

Tapestry is an award-winning boutique law firm specialising in UK and global executive and employee share schemes and incentives, delivering insight‑driven global solutions alongside leading UK technical expertise. The firm fosters long‑term client partnerships through timely, pragmatic and commercial advice, and, with most of the team based outside London, provides high‑quality service with an ethos of agile working and value for money. As a fully employee‑owned business, Tapestry differentiates itself in the incentives market by aligning structure with practice, and continues to grow in team size and client roster despite competition from larger City firms.

The team is led by partner‑equivalents Hannah Needle, Chris Fallon and Suzannah Crookes, supported by senior lawyers with individual specialisms including Paul Abthorpe, Sally Blanchflower, Sarah Bruce, Matthew Hunter, Emma Parker and Lorna Parkin, alongside experienced lawyers Steve Penfold and Tom Parker; Bob Grayson’s consultancy adds practical expertise and longstanding industry relationships. Clients include many of the world’s leading companies—such as Unilever, Sage, Rolls‑Royce and The Coca‑Cola Company—with services provided to 65% of the current FTSE 100 since the firm’s 2011 founding, and recent wins including AkzoNobel, Glencore and Novo Nordisk. The practice also advises banks, insurers and asset managers including HSBC, Aviva and Schroders on remuneration, regulatory topics, and the impact of transactions on incentive plans.

Recognised for industry leadership, the firm is active in organisations including GEO (with Board representation), ProShare (team leads on Focus Groups), SPLG (Chair, Secretary and Committee roles), NASPP, and supports government/HMRC lobbying; participation on the Practical Law Share Schemes & Incentives Consultation Board further reflects its standing. Tapestry contributed to responses to HM Treasury’s 2023 Call for Evidence on UK all‑employee tax‑advantaged share schemes, and its lawyers frequently present at leading industry events. The firm’s market‑leading online global legal and tax compliance database offers accessible, cost‑effective information on securities laws, exchange controls, employment law and tax considerations in 150+ countries, tailored and branded for clients, exportable and available 24/7, maintained by an in‑house team with updates from global partners; client feedback highlights ease of navigation and practical value.

Culturally, the firm transitioned from LLP to an Alternative Business Structure in 2018 and became 100% employee‑owned in 2020 through an Employee Ownership Trust holding shares for all employees, underpinning a sustainable model where agile and flexible working enable progression at all levels. Reported diversity and inclusion metrics exceed sector averages, with a majority‑female workforce and leadership, higher representation of significant disability, strong socio‑economic diversity, a younger‑than‑average team profile, and widespread part‑time working among senior lawyers. The firm provides the UK’s only professional qualification in the sector—the Certificate in Employee Share Plans (accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland)—with 1,000+ alumni and up to 100 annual participants, sharing technical foundations, market knowledge and best practice. Value‑add initiatives include webinars attracting 100+ attendees, roundtables with policy‑makers, and frequent legal and tax updates via email and LinkedIn.