As an owner of a business, your exit from the business which you’ve grown and nurtured will likely be the biggest decision you’ve had to make and there are many different paths you can take to exit – a sale to a trade buyer, a sale to private equity, a management buy-out (‘MBO’) or the transfer of the business to its employees via an Employee Ownership Trust (‘EOT’).
All of these options come with different commercial, financial, tax and personal implications. In our experience, far too many business owners leave it too late to fully consider these options and are often led by opportunity as opposed to pursuing a well-planned & communicated strategy.
And it’s not just a question of which transaction type to execute, there’s a much more involved 2-to-3-year pathway in the preparation for this life changing event. Strategy, branding, management, people, systems & technology, marketing, customers, suppliers, contracts, development, innovation, margins, profitability and cash all need aligning to ensure the most successful transition and outcome – both for the business and its shareholders.
The choices you make in exiting your business will have a profound effect on the culture of your business and the motivations and retention of your people, so it is vital that significant time and effort is put into the planning. Here at SWG Advisory, we are well experienced in navigating this complex process – both as advisers and as business owners – and we would be delighted to help you achieve the best possible outcome for you and your business.
If you’d like to discuss your plans or explore your options further, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team is here to guide you through every step of this critical journey and ensure your transition is as smooth and successful as possible. Let’s start the conversation today.
SWG Capital 