Mark Stapleton

Mark Stapleton advises on UK and international direct and indirect taxation issues. He has extensive experience in relation to advising offshore funds and the investment management sector, particularly global and international private credit/hybrid debt funds and hedge funds. He also has specialist tax experience of providing structuring and tax advice in relation to CLOs. In addition, he advises on acquisitions of public and private companies, real estate acquisitions, securitisations, structured finance and a variety of other banking, financial and corporate transactions. Mr. Stapleton also advises clients on Brexit, helping to shape strategy and provide guidance on related tax issues.

Mr. Stapleton is experienced in advising on structuring and establishing international holding companies and financing companies used in connection with inward investment transactions, cross-border acquisitions and also corporate migrations.

Mr. Stapleton is a member and past chairman of the taxation committee of the Alternative Investment Management Association, a member of the tax committee of the Alternative Credit Council, a Chartered Tax Adviser and also a member of the International Fiscal Association.

He has been recommended as a leader in his field in the independent legal directories The Legal 500 UK and Chambers UK, in PLC Which Lawyer and in Who's Who Legal. He is ranked in Chambers UK, Chambers Europe and Chambers Global for tax investment funds. In Chambers UK, 2022, Mr. Stapleton is ranked as one of the leading experts for tax advice relating to the investment management sector and is described as having “notable experience in the establishment of credit fund platforms” in the 2022 edition and as “composed and knowledgeable” in the 2021 edition. In Chambers Global, 2020, clients praise his “encyclopaedic knowledge of the asset management industry.” The Legal 500 UK, 2021 also lists him for corporate tax, where clients note his “knowledge of the subject matter is second to none.” Mr. Stapleton is described as  "outstanding technically" and "absolutely brilliant with clients" in The Legal 500 UK, 2018. Mr. Stapleton was ranked for his tax work in Chambers UK, 2019, where clients describe him as "thoughtful, diligent, timely and very proactive" as well as "a good communicator". Mr. Stapleton has also been praised for his "creative, thoughtful and helpful" approach in Chambers UK, 2018. Clients say he "stands out for his commercial awareness, practical advice and nuanced understanding of the asset management sector" in Chambers UK, 2017. In the 2016 edition of Chambers UK, a client cites, "it amazes me how responsive he is, and his knowledge and expertise are also very impressive." He is described as "technically very good. He seems to keep an awful lot of stuff in his head, and I am impressed by the recall he has for complex technical matters." In Chambers UK, 2012 Mr. Stapleton is praised for being “very clear and direct” and recommended for his experience in dealing with the UK taxation of offshore funds and investment management, and complex cross-border tax matters. He is ranked in Chambers Global, 2017, which states “stands out for his commercial awareness, practical advice and nuanced understanding of the asset management sector.” A previous edition of Chambers Global states “flexible, straightforward and always aware of clients’ needs, Mark Stapleton is prized for his expertise in international direct and indirect taxation issues. He has considerable experience of advising on the structuring and establishing of international holding companies and financing companies in connection with cross-border acquisitions.”