In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment (TEI) edition of IFA Talk, we’re discussing the role of Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) in an everchanging tax landscape.
Joining us to do this is Will Fraser-Allen, Managing Partner at AlbionVC. Together, we focus on how the role of VCTs is evolving in response to changes in the UK tax landscape, along with the opportunities emerging across the UK’s innovation economy.
Will answers why focused capital is so important as we look to scale the next generation of successful businesses, along with the areas where he sees the biggest opportunities. He also breaks down the recent Budget changes to VCT tax relief and dividend taxation, answering what impact he expects the move to 20% relief to have on advisers and their clients, and why he believes the underlying VCT investment case still holds despite these changes.
Meanwhile, with growing interest in deeptech startups, Will shares how AlbionVC is aligning with these trends, and the opportunities which they are seeing across the sector. Lastly, Will reveals where he sees VCTs fitting within a balanced portfolio in 2026, before outlining what advisers need to be looking for in a VCT manager.
Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!
Will Fraser Allen
Will Fraser-Allen is Managing Partner at AlbionVC. He is a VC veteran who was an early backer of the Booking.com founders and has invested in successful companies spanning sectors as diverse as leisure, media, business services, and healthcare. He was a past Chair of the Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA) and currently sits on the Board of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC).
Will is able to share insights with entrepreneurs that he has acquired through decades spent advising and sitting on the boards of companies. Prior to joining AlbionVC, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has a BA in History from Southampton University.
Disclaimer
IFA Talk is for financial professionals only. All material has been carefully checked for accuracy, but no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies. Wherever appropriate, independent research and whatever necessary legal advice should be sought before acting on any information contained in this podcast. Value of investments and income from them go down as well as up, so you may not get back the amount you originally invested.
