Who will the business be sold to?
If your business isn’t being passed on to the next generation, you’ll need to consider who might be interested. For example, does your business operate in a market that is likely to attract interest from third parties in a trade sale? Been approached by an interested third party before?
You might want to consider enlisting a corporate finance broker, who will understand the current state of the market and guide you on valuation, as well as potentially help you find a buyer. Alternatively, if you have key employees who could take the business forward upon your departure, you could consider a form of management buyout instead.
When is the right time to sell?
Timing is key. If the market is buoyant and the company is in good financial health, this could give a prospective buyer the confidence that the purchase of the business will represent a good investment. If the market is flat, however, this could be reflected in a valuation lower than anticipated.
How will the sale be structured?
There are numerous ways to structure a sale, with the most typical being a share sale where the shares in the company are sold. An asset sale, on the other hand, involves the sale of certain assets of the company rather than the entity as a whole. This is largely determined by the structure of your business, but there are also financial and tax considerations to take into account. It’s important to have a good understanding of your options before beginning discussions with a prospective buyer, as they may have a different view on the best approach.
Necessary preparations
A potential buyer will conduct due diligence on your business to gain a full understanding of what they are buying from a legal, financial and operational perspective. As part of this process, you will be required to produce copies of key documents, so steps that can be taken in readiness for this include ensuring contracts are in place with employees, key customers, and suppliers, making sure all business documents (such as terms and conditions) are up to date, and ensuring your company is up to date with regulatory requirements such as Companies House filings, registers, and accounting records.
Most importantly, having a team of professionals on hand to support you can be hugely beneficial, putting you in a stronger position and protecting your interests.
For more information on preparing your business for sale, contact Matthew Canfield or a member of the corporate team.
Who will the business be sold to?
If your business isn’t being passed on to the next generation, you’ll need to consider who might be interested. For example, does your business operate in a market that is likely to attract interest from third parties in a trade sale? Been approached by an interested third party before?
You might want to consider enlisting a corporate finance broker, who will understand the current state of the market and guide you on valuation, as well as potentially helping you find a buyer. Alternatively, if you have key employees who could take the business forward upon your departure, you could consider a form of management buyout instead.
When is the right time to sell?
Timing is key. If the market is buoyant and the company is in good financial health, this could give a prospective buyer the confidence that the purchase of the business will represent a good investment. If the market is flat, however, this could be reflected in a valuation lower than anticipated.
How will the sale be structured?
There are numerous ways to structure a sale, with the most typical being a share sale where the shares in the company are sold. An asset sale, on the other hand, involves the sale of certain assets of the company rather than the entity as a whole. This is largely determined by the structure of your business, but there are also financial and tax considerations to take into account. It’s important to have a good understanding of your options before beginning discussions with a prospective buyer, as they may have a different view on the best approach.
Necessary preparations
A potential buyer will conduct due diligence on your business to gain a full understanding of what they are buying from a legal, financial and operational perspective. As part of this process, you will be required to produce copies of key documents, so steps that can be taken in readiness for this include ensuring contracts are in place with employees, key customers, and suppliers, making sure all business documents (such as terms and conditions) are up to date, and ensuring your company is up to date with regulatory requirements such as Companies House filings, registers, and accounting records.
Most importantly, having a team of professionals on hand to support you can be hugely beneficial, putting you in a stronger position and protecting your interests.
For more information on preparing your business for sale, contact Matthew Canfield or a member of the corporate team.