A straightforward approach
We are real people
We are genuine in everything we do. No tyre-kickers. No AI bots.
We act with integrity
We do what we say we'll do, and we always respect your confidentiality.
We value your time
We won't mess you around and we don't put off tough conversations.
Our step-by-step process
Get to know us
Contact us using the form below. We'll schedule a call with you to learn more about you and your business. While we will always keep the discussion confidential, we are happy to sign a Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) first if you wish.
Provide key information
If it sounds like your business could be a good fit for us, we'll sign an NDA and request key financial information. This will include the last few years' annual accounts and anything else we feel we need to know before proceeding to a detailed evaluation.
Meet in person
We always like to meet you face-to-face. This could be at the business or elsewhere if you prefer. This is an opportunity for us to ask questions about the business and for you to learn more about our process.
Review our offer
If we're interested to proceed with the acquisition we will provide you with a written Letter Of Intent within a few days. This is not legally binding but it will set out key terms such as valuation. If you choose to accept, we'll get to work on the transaction process.
Support due diligence
We carry out a process of due diligence lasting 6-8 weeks. This is a necessary step to confirm the legal, financial and operational aspects of the business are in order. Your accountant can normally support you with parts of this process.
Review and sign contracts
Once due diligence is complete we will draft a contract for you to review with your legal representative.
Complete the sale
The transaction completes on a mutually agreed date and we take ownership of the business. There is normally a short handover period after which your involvement will end. Our focus turns to managing the business into the future.
Your questions answered
How do you value my company?
We evaluate your business based on its profitability, potential opportunities and risks.
Most businesses are valued as a multiple of their gross profits (EBITA) such as 3x, 4x or, for larger businesses, sometimes more. Our valuation will align with market rates, but the final price will also depend upon factors like deal structure, business size, asset value and financial consistency over recent years.
When we assess a company, we imagine it without the current owners. This means we adjust financials by removing owner salaries and expenses and adding in our own management costs.
When will I get paid?
The short answer is on the day the transaction completes. However, very few buyers will pay 100% in cash up front. Usually you will get a significant up-front amount with the rest of the payment deferred and paid from future profits. This ensures the business remains successful after the sale and can also help lower our costs, potentially leading to a higher overall valuation for you.
What happens with the cash in the business?
Any cash in the business belongs to you. However, we need enough working capital (cash and accounts receivable) left behind to keep operations running smoothly. Our offer will clearly state the required amount of working capital, and the final sale price will be adjusted based on the actual cash at closing.
If your business has extra cash beyond what’s needed for operations, we can structure the deal so you receive it in a much more tax-efficient way than taking it as dividends. This is a great way to provide additional cash to you on top of the sale price.
Should I hire a broker?
That’s up to you. We work with businesses directly and through brokers. Just be cautious of brokers who promise high valuations but charge large up-front fees or monthly retainers.
Regardless of whether you use a broker, we strongly recommend getting legal advice before entering serious discussions with us or any buyer. A good adviser will help ensure the deal is fair and guide you in preparing the necessary documents. Ideally, choose someone with experience in similar business sales.
What happens after the deal closes?
Once the deal is complete, we take ownership and appoint our own board of directors. Our goal is to maintain and grow the business while respecting what you’ve built.
In most cases, we’ll ask you to stay on for a transition period of a few months — not for day-to-day operations, but to help pass on key knowledge. This could include maintaining important customer relationships, explaining past business decisions or simply finding old IT passwords.
You’ll agree not to start a competing business or recruit former employees, but beyond that, you’re free to enjoy a well-earned holiday, begin retirement or start your next adventure — with our best wishes!
How do I find out more?
Several business sellers have recommended the book 'Selling Your Business', a quick reference guide written by UK business broker Ken Gorman. At around 100 pages, we agree it's a helpful resource.