5 minutes read Many of you may be familiar with Michael Porter’s famous work of the same title, on understanding business models more effectively. Porter’s book remains relevant and in 2016, our Chairman Kevin Uphill published “Creating Competitive Advantage in Dynamic Markets”, to address the question of how you stay ahead with your business model and…
12 minutes read There are still some business sales where the full consideration is paid on completion and in cash, particularly in situations where competition to acquire the company has been intense and the asset has been well prepared for an exit. However, in private company acquisitions, we are increasingly seeing ‘deferred or performance-related payment’ deal…
5 minutes read Capitalism is facing challenges, and Employee Ownership is part of the solution. Productivity in the West has stagnated and economic growth for most Western economies has slowed due to aging populations and the increased state burden of associated social costs. Additionally, consumerism, a cornerstone of capitalism, is under scrutiny due to its environmental…
10 minutes read The shadow chancellor is being lobbied heavily to increase Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”). Under the current system, profits from the sale of second homes or shares in businesses are taxed at a much lower rate than wages. For some, the prospect of a CGT increase is a driver for sale and for others,…
5 minutes read Many business owners planning their exit or retirement strategy may be attracted to the idea of transferring ownership to the employees via an EOT. However, for the transaction to take place the EOT needs to have sufficient funds to cover the purchase cost. There are three main routes to funding the Employee Ownership…
6 minutes read Dynamic markets dramatically threaten business models. Evolution may be too slow and so many businesses are turning to revolution as CEOs of larger and mid-tier companies increasingly turn to acquisitions of even small businesses, to satisfy both their market and future customer needs. In a recent PWC survey, 45% of CEOs believed that…
11.5 minutes read Contemporary management theory claims that the primary aim of a business is to generate profit, and this is linked to maximising shareholder value and returns. However, this view overlooks the interests of a diverse array of stakeholders beyond the shareholders, such as society, employees, and creditors. Ethical and social governance principles advocate…
4 minutes read In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and political turmoil, it is easy to succumb to pessimism. Every business encounters obstacles but dwelling on worries can exacerbate issues and lead to burnout. While conventional wisdom advises doubling down and pushing harder in tough times, what if you and your team are already stretched thin?…
3 minutes read Capital Gains Tax (CGT) We had cautiously hoped that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for sellers of businesses would remain untouched following the recent adjustments that significantly reduced Capital Gain Tax annual personal allowances. However, Labour is now advocating an increase in Capital Gains Tax to 45%, specifically targeting private equity executives with the…
7 minutes read Succession has been a huge TV franchise hit for HBO. It has ageing patriarch Logan Roy contemplating what the future holds for him and his media empire. You may not have an empire, but your business is valuable, and you should consider succession. Will it be to the family, a trade sale, a…