12 minutes read Strategic acquisitions rarely fail because of price, they typically fail because of clarity. The fundamental, and yet often under explored questions at the heart of every acquisition should be: What is the strategy, what is the long-term direction of the business and how does this acquisition genuinely advance it? It is easy…
9 minutes read Why the real question is about time wealth, not tax panic For decades, owners of private trading companies operated under a widely accepted assumption, if you die holding a qualifying business, inheritance tax would largely be irrelevant because Business Property Relief (“BPR”) ensured that outcome. However, that assumption no longer holds true. From…
10 minutes read Why now? Since the 2014 legislation, UK employee ownership has accelerated from 80 to now nearly 3,000 employee-owned companies with hundreds more converting each year. Performance uplifts and cultural gains are consistently reported when transitions are well-executed. They are a tax effective exit option for many sellers at just 12% Capital Gains Tax…
8 minutes read Why sale readiness matters more than ever Maximising value in a business sale rarely comes down to timing or luck. It comes from readiness. The strongest outcomes are achieved by businesses that prepare well in advance and shape themselves into assets, buyers genuinely want to own. In today’s market, buyers are not just…
8 minutes read Flux is the new normal. Markets are shifting faster than strategies can keep up, organic growth is increasingly elusive, and many sectors feel fragmented, over competitive, and difficult to navigate. For many, consolidation: acquiring competitors, buying scale and chasing efficiency through M&A, with buyers still very active. For others, a business sale is…
10 minutes read For years, Employee Ownership Trusts (“EOTs”) were sold on a single headline: 0% Capital Gains Tax but that headline has now changed. Since November 2025, EOT sales are now taxed at 12% but despite this tax hike many business owners are still choosing the route as their preferred exit strategy. This demonstrates…
7 minutes read The M&A landscape in 2025 has been neither boom, nor bust, instead it appears more strategic and selective with quality at its centre. Even the US$72 billion Netflix/Warner merger that has just been announced, has strategy at its core – if it can get through the competition authorities. For SMEs who have had…
7 minutes read The ‘perfect’ business sale is a fast, fuss-free transaction on the right terms and with the right buyer. With tax burdens on business sales increasing, achieving the best price from the right acquirer has never been more important. Here are what we consider to be the seven key success factors to achieve a…
7 minutes read CGT: 0% Relief on EOT Sales Potentially at Risk The 0% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief on sales to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) must be considered at risk in the upcoming October Budget. EOTs Becoming a Significant Share of Business Sales This concern arises because EOTs are the fastest growing option of all…
7 minutes read Private equity firms (“PE”) have evolved from the caricature of the 1980s “corporate raiders” to become dynamic, growth-oriented investors. With a staggering £190 billion in capital that is seeking opportunities, today’s PE firms are often just as competitive if not more so, than traditional trade buyers. For business owners considering a sale, engaging…