Why it matters
Start planning earlier than you think
The most successful sales we've seen share one thing: the owner started planning early. Not months before the sale, but years. The two to three years before an exit are when the most valuable work can happen, because your options narrow as the timeline gets shorter.
If you're thinking about selling in the next five years, now is a good time to start the conversation.
- Start two to three years before you plan to sell
- Think about tax and deal structure early, while there's time to act
- Have a plan for the proceeds before the sale completes
- Plan for the person as well as the portfolio
Exit planning
Are you exit-ready?
A well-prepared exit covers six areas, financially, legally, and personally.
Tax-efficient cash extraction
Plan how you take value from the business, before and after the sale.
Business valuation and structuring
Understand what your business could be worth, and how the deal structure affects you.
Personal financial planning
Line up your sale proceeds with your long-term personal goals.
Inheritance and estate planning
Think early about protecting your wealth for the next generation.
Risk management
Spot and reduce the financial and personal risks before you exit.
Emotional and lifestyle planning
Plan for identity, purpose, and fulfilment after the sale.
The detail that makes the difference
Tax and proceeds: two decisions to get right
Making the most of the tax position
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) reduces Capital Gains Tax to 18% on up to £1m of qualifying lifetime gains, compared with the standard rate of 24%. From 6 April 2027 the lifetime limit will be £500,000. Whether you qualify depends on how long you've owned the shares, your role, the deal structure, and any relief you've already used. Some of this can be influenced, but only with time.
Planning what to do with the proceeds
A significant capital sum is one of the biggest financial moments of your life. We help you decide how much income you need, how much to keep in cash, and how much risk feels right, which is often different from the risk you'd take in business. Ideally, this plan is ready before the sale completes.
The part many advisers don't talk about
Selling a business is a personal event as well as a financial one. Many owners find the months after a sale harder than they expected, even when the deal went well. The clients who adjust best are the ones who've thought about what they're moving towards, not just what they're leaving behind. We're happy to have that conversation too.
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Frequently asked questions