No if you do a Phd at CERN or similar tier 1 institutions the pay there is often very low I found that for starting work at a world leading RnD organisation.
Its well known that family companies have difficulty lasting more than three generations exceptions Like Bacardi and Charles Wells are rare.
Also based on my Uncles experience the family Bookkie business (Birmingham UK) did not last to the 3rd Gen - ok the transition to legalization wasn't handled well by generation 2.
HMRC Approved schemes only from Share Save through EMI (the gold standard)
If you get RSU's in an American parent company your screwed its just income there's some calculations on the relevant redit r/UKPersonalFinance - basically its treated income and you also don't get the legal protections
As you say your getting a much better tax advantage and can use capital Gains to reduce the tax rate.
Though compared to the US the UK has much better treatment of "employee" share schemes. The most common Sharesave is effectively a risk free investment at a 20% discount.
I am surprised if the Google union hasn't got fairer treatment of stock options on its agenda and I do mean for all employees.