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…
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,…
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?…
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…
10 minutes read In the title, we draw inspiration from the name of the renowned 1989 book “Barbarians at the Gate” on leveraged buyouts written by Byran Burrough and John Helyar. This narrative characterises financial buyers as modern-day raiders who are not armed with “real money.” However, contrary to the position in 1989, today the coffers…
9.5 minutes read Changes In 1972, David Bowie released “Changes,” a timeless song that still resonates strongly in today’s era of upheaval. Beyond its musical brilliance, the lyrics hold significant relevance to the ever-evolving landscape of business and exit strategies. They encapsulate the need to adapt to the turbulent environment in which today’s businesses operate.…
9 minutes read The market has shifted, and for many, fast-track growth seems like a distant dream. Investors and buyers are treading more cautiously but there is still good money available for shareholders to sell or take investment where the business is profitable, predictable, and robust. So, you might ask “Why sell your business in a…
5.5 minutes read Preparing your business for sale is a critical step in ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Even if you are not actively looking to sell your business, being ‘sale ready’ is essential if you are looking to sell in the future as you never know when a buyer may approach. There are many…
9 minutes read A sale of your business to all the employees via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a relatively simple, advisor and vendor-driven exit strategy and therefore more immediate than a trade sale. What’s more, to encourage such sales, they are currently subject to 0% Capital Gains Tax, provided they meet the qualifying rules.…
8 minutes read From a legal perspective, when purchasing a company in the UK it is your job to check that everything is accurately represented. UK law operates on the principle of Caveat Emptor, which is derived from the Latin phrase, “quia ignorare non debuit quod jus alienum emit” meaning, ‘let a purchaser beware, for…