Catherine Sear is a partner in the Tax Department and a member of the Private Investment Funds Group.

She focuses on the tax aspects of private investment fund structuring, including the structuring of carried interest and executive co-investment arrangements as well as tax issues relating to the establishment and operation of fund management businesses. She provides advice to fund managers on the tax aspects of private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate and debt funds, including funds of funds, and has particular experience of the tax issues associated with investment partnerships. In addition, Catherine advises institutional investors on their investments in private funds and advises on tax matters on secondary transactions.

In the course of her practice, Catherine advises on a broad range of UK tax issues including VAT, employment tax, capital gains tax in relation to partnerships, and the UK's anti-avoidance rules. She also has considerable knowledge of international tax issues arising for funds and fund management teams with a cross-border dimension.