Roy Saunders

Founder and Chairman, IBSA

Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1967, Roy Saunders has accumulated a wealth of commercial experience working independently in commercial property, international tax, advertising and other industries. He is the Chairman of IFS, a boutique international tax practice based in central London. Academically, he is known throughout the world for his many books and publications, the foremost being his red book, International Tax Systems & Planning Techniques published by Sweet & Maxwell. Roy has also taught an MA Course on International Taxation at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London.

Roy is very proud of the fascinating client base of entrepreneurial individuals that he has built up at IFS. He feels strongly about the role that ethical tax structuring plays in the growth of an economy, and that this needs to be better understood by the public at large. Roy founded the IBSA to enable business professionals around the world to discover new business relationships and promote best practice by creating sustainable business structures compliant with international transparency, corporate governance and social responsibility.

Aliasghar Kanani

Tax Partner, LE/AX Avocats

Aliasghar Kanani is a tax partner with LE/AX. His favorite field of activity is Swiss and International corporate tax law, which covers varied topics, such as international tax planning for multinationals and SMEs, group and financial restructurings. He also advises high net worth individuals on Swiss and international tax planning aspects, as well as non-profit organizations.

Following his graduation in Swiss Law, he obtained a Master of Advanced Studies in business law (MBL). In order to complete this Master degree, he wrote a thesis on “Merger and its tax treatment”. He completed an LL.M. in International Taxation, during which he specialized in Swiss and International Business taxation and wrote a thesis on “IP restructurings”.

Aliasghar Kanani teaches corporate taxation at the High School Arc, Bachelor in Business Law www.he-arc.ch/gestion/bachelor/droit-economique/, member of the University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland (HES-SO), as well as at the CAS in taxation of SMEs at the University of Neuchâtel, Law Faculty www.unine.ch/droit/home/formations/formation_continue/cas-en-fiscalite-des-pme.html. In addition, he is a regular speaker at the University of Lausanne, for WEKA Business Media AG and various organizations of which he is an active member. He is also the author of various publications on tax law, in particular in specialized magazines such as Tax News International (TNI) in the USA and for various professional associations.

He has been an active member of the Tax Law Commission of the Association International of Youngs Lawyers (AIJA, www.aija.org), for which he has been the annual national reporter since 2009. He received the Past President Award for his 2009 national report on "Thin capitalization regulations and similar tax limitations on leveraged buy-outs". Finally, he is a member of the International Tax Specialist Group (www.itsgnetwork.com), the International Business Structuring Association (www.theibsa.org) and the Private Client Dining Club (www.pcd.club), as well as the Geneva Bar Association (www.odage.ch) and the International Bar Association (www.ibanet.org). Aliasghar Kanani is fluent in French, English, Hindi/Urdu and Gujarati.

Cees-Frans Greeven

Partner at BUREN / BUREN Avocats S.a.r.l.

Cees-Frans Greeven, attorney and tax lawyer, focuses on advising clients on the Dutch and Luxembourg aspects of corporate and PEVC transactions, including spin-offs, international restructurings and corporate joint ventures. Cees-Frans also works with institutional and private clients on issues related to investment management. Admitted to the Amsterdam Bar, a member of the Dutch Bar of Tax Advisors, IFA and serving on the Tax Committee of the IBA. Admitted to practice in Luxembourg (Liste IV).

Cees-Frans Greeven is "extremely experienced, very structured and efficient, and very reliable," according to commentators. He is noted for his expertise in investment fund formation and tax aspects of financial transactions." Chambers and Partners 2016

Jeremy Cape

Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Jeremy Cape is a tax and public policy partner in the London office, advising on a wide range of issues, including M&A, private equity, finance, restructuring and insolvency, and VAT. He has substantial experience in both domestic and global matters, with specific expertise regarding emerging markets and Africa, counselling both governments and taxpayers. His current initiatives include helping businesses deal with the introduction of VAT in the Gulf in 2018 and helping both UK and international businesses plan for Brexit.

Jeremy is frequently quoted and cited in media outlets, and is a regular speaker and presenter in the UK and abroad. He has been interviewed on BBC News and appears as a tax commentator on the financial TV channel CNBC. Jeremy also writes for numerous publications on a variety of subjects in the field of tax and policy. He was the winner of Tolley’s Tax Commentator of the year in 2018.

Jose Aguilar Shea

Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Jose Aguilar Shea is a partner of the Tax Strategy & Benefits department in the Madrid office. He has extensive experience advising national and international corporations and individuals on the taxation aspects of their investments in Spain. His practice includes the organization and structuring of complex transactions of businesses and real estate assets. He assists with negotiating and implementing contracts, mergers, acquisitions and similar transactions, as well as joint venture agreements. Jose is also well versed in the tax matters arising out of fast-growth technology companies through their entire life cycles, working closely with founders and outside investors to guide clients through the challenging early and growth stages of development. 

He also has ample experience advising, with a proactive problem-solving approach, high net worth individuals and families on their wealth planning, and works regularly with family offices, providing comprehensive advice to help preserve and grow clients’ assets and protect their legacy for future generations. He advises on inheritance planning and acquisitions, donations, family wealth and businesses succession planning, partners’ compensation, financial instruments and investment management. 

Jose is a key member of our Brazil desk and is actively involved in cross-border transactions with Latin America.

Philippe de Saint-Bauzel

Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Philippe de Saint-Bauzel provides advice to large overseas entities on all aspects of their operations including acquisitions, disposals, domestic and international reorganisations. Philippe has also provided advice in relation to optimising group structures in numerous industries such as those of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, distribution and the service industry.

Philippe specialises in managing tax audit and tax litigation before the French Tax Courts and regularly provides assistance to French tax consolidated companies. Philippe is a member of the International Fiscal Association and has previously appeared on a live business programme on French TV channel Direct 8 in relation to the new provisions in relation to pre-completed income tax returns.