Dreaming of starting your own business — but unsure where to begin?
This book gives you the complete, no-nonsense roadmap to turn ideas into income and ambition into action.
Written by experienced UK business and tax consultants Terry Hodge and Phil Dickinson, this guide takes you step-by-step from your first spark of an idea to running a profitable, compliant, and sustainable company in the UK.
Inside, You Will Learn How To:✅ Validate your idea and build a brand that stands out
✅ Choose the most tax-efficient structure (sole trader, limited company, or LLP)
✅ Register your business properly with HMRC and Companies House
✅ Manage cash flow, payroll, and compliance with confidence
✅ Use AI and digital tools to save time and boost productivity
✅ Hire, protect, and scale your business the smart way
✅ Plan for tax efficiency, growth, and future exit strategy
Each chapter combines real-world experience, checklists, templates, and practical insights from Bespoke Planning Solutions LLP, specialists in helping UK entrepreneurs build businesses that last.
Who This Book is ForPerfect for:
- First-time founders
- Freelancers or consultants ready to go limited
- Side-hustlers turning skills into income
- Ambitious SME owners preparing to scale
- Anyone who wants to start and grow a UK business - the right way
Why This Guide Stands OutUnlike generic “start-up” guides written for US or Global markets, this guide is 100% UK-focused, covering:
- Current tax rules and UK legislation
- UK Funding (Start Up Loans, Growth Loan, SEIS, EIS and Grants)
- Practical steps for HMRC, Companies House, VAT, PAYE, and more
- Real case studies from UK entrepreneurs
This is not theory; it is a working playbook based on decades of hands-on experience.
About the AuthorsTerry Hodge and Phil Dickinson are senior business and tax consultants with 50+ years of combined experience, advising UK entrepreneurs, SMEs, and family businesses on structure, compliance, tax planning and long-term growth.
Build it once. Build it right.
Turn your idea into a profitable, compliant, and future-proof business with The Ultimate UK Business Start-Up Guide.
Phil Dickinson is a seasoned tax consultant with over 24 years of experience in corporate tax, inheritance tax, and business succession planning. He has held senior positions, including Tax Partner at several leading firms, advising entrepreneurs, family companies, and professional clients on structuring their businesses efficiently for growth, sale, and inter-generational transition. Phil's expertise covers corporate reorganisations, group structures, capital gains, inheritance tax reliefs, and exit strategies. Known for his strategic approach and attention to detail, Phil has built a strong reputation for helping clients navigate complex legislation with confidence and clarity. As co-founder of Bespoke Planning Solutions LLP, Phil focuses on joined-up planning that aligns business goals with long-term family and wealth objectives, ensuring every structure is both tax-efficient and commercially practical.
Terry Hodge is a highly experienced business and tax consultant with over 28 years of expertise in corporate structuring, inheritance tax, and wealth planning. Over his career, Terry has advised hundreds of business owners, family enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals on how to protect and grow their wealth through effective planning. Before co-founding Bespoke Planning Solutions LLP (BPS), Terry spent several years working with Hamilton Bradshaw Ltd, a private equity firm, where he gained valuable commercial insight into how businesses are structured, funded, and sold. This experience complements his deep technical background in tax, allowing him to combine practical business understanding with precise, compliant advice. Terry's specialisms include LLP planning, Family Investment Companies (FICs), incorporations under s162 TCGA 1992, corporate reorganisations, and Business Property Relief (BPR). At BPS, he focuses on delivering clear, actionable strategies that help clients structure their businesses efficiently and plan confidently for succession and exit.
