Month: November 2007

Much of the technology that is now taken for granted has its origins in developments introduced in Northern Ireland three decades ago to monitor the activities of suspected terrorists. The remote number-plate recognition system, now a daily feature of life in the Congestion Charge Zone in London, has its origins in a classified project bench-tested in Ulster, wherein the requirement was to identify a car moving at 80 miles an hour at night in the rain, south of Belfast.

If the intention of the founder, in setting up a structure, is to preserve the family business or wealth for future generations, the founder should be aware that without considerable care family conflict could inflict far greater damage on his wealth than tax. Just as divorce can significantly diminish wealth during an individual’s lifetime, family conflict can similarly damage wealth after the founder’s death.

Skeletons in the corporate closet? Then the last person you want on your case is Anthony Yadgaroff, says Christopher Silvester.