Shareholders Agreement: established business single investor

Shareholders agreement following the investment in an established business by a single investor under a separate subscription agreement.  The agreement acts as the shareholders agreement between the investor and the founders of the company post-investment.

Read more

When do I use this document?

What are the key features?

  • full form shareholders agreement 
  • 25 clauses and 4 schedules over 30 pages
  • directors:
    • investor director: the investor’s entitlement to appoint a director
    • other directors: the founder shareholder(s) rights to appoint a director
  • board proceedings: how proceedings of the board will be conducted 
  • information rights: rights to information for the investor and other shareholders about the company and its finances
  • future share issues: pre-emption rights on the issue of new shares
  • share transfers: rules governing the transfer of shares, including:
    • pre-emption rights on share transfers
    • compulsory transfer events, including founder good and bad leaver clauses
    • tag-along and drag-along rights
  • reserved matters: matters requiring prior approval from the investor and other shareholders
  • restrictive covenants: restrictions on the founders from competing with the company and soliciting the company’s customers, suppliers and employees

What other documents are available?

For a combined Investment & Shareholders Agreement for an established business with a single investor, see

For a standalone Shareholders Agreement for an established business with multiple investors, see

For standalone Shareholders Agreements for a start-up business, see

When do I use this document?

  • for the appointment of an individual to provide consulting services through a service company
  • for a fixed term appointment or an appointment terminable on notice

What are the key features?

  • 24 clauses over 16 pages
  • time-based appointment for a fixed term, terminable by notice by either client or consultant
  • service performance obligations on the consultant company, including for performance of the services by the named individual
  • consulting fees on the basis of time spent at an agreed contractual rate
  • ownership of intellectual property rights arising from the services
  • status of the consultant as an independent contractor
  • early termination for breach and other circumstances

What else do I need to know?

Often, this type of Consultancy Agreement is also accompanied by a letter from the named individual to the client.  This will contain undertakings from the individual directly to the client covering the following:

  • that the individual owns the service company and will continue to do so
  • that the individual will be employed by the service company by the individual
  • that the client will own intellectual property rights in materials/work product generated by the individual
  • that the individual will be responsible for the service company’s performance of the consultancy agreement

We have a form of this side letter available – see

What other documents are available?

For a form of consultancy for a service company on a project basis, see

For forms of consultancy agreement with an individual consultant, see

Explanatory Guides

As with all of our document templates, your purchase will include access to clear explanatory guidance on the document and its use.

Updated by a lawyer on 02/07/2025

Create your document in 3 Easy Steps
Amanda | Bannister Creative
“It’s hard to find legal documents on the internet you can really trust. Knowing an expert lawyer has drafted what I need, gives my business the edge and gives me peace of mind.”
Elle, Founder | Winslow skincare & aesthetics.
“As an SME Paperrock saves us the legal fees we’ve previously had to spend. In these challenging times that's a big help. Great products and support.”
Giles, MD | Boniti Ltd.
Shopping Basket

Sample available