Insights

How to sell a business: from valuation to closing

Services and guides

Prepare the business, compare offers and manage a confidential process

Selling a business is often one of an entrepreneur’s most important decisions. Preparation, a clear process and confidentiality help owners compare options and negotiate on better-informed terms.

Define what you want to sell

Clarify whether you want a full or partial exit, whether you will stay involved and which objectives matter alongside the price. Compare a share sale and a business transfer before choosing a structure.

Prepare information and expectations

Bring together accounts, recent financial information, important contracts and information on employees, assets and risks. A valuation connects expectations to representative earnings, financial debt and cash. Read how much a business is worth.

Search for suitable buyers confidentially

A buyer search may include strategic businesses, investors and managers. An anonymous profile can describe the opportunity before more detailed information is shared through an agreed confidentiality process. Our marketplace includes businesses for sale.

Compare offers and agree the main terms

Compare price, scope, available funding and conditions. An NBO can present initial terms; an LOI can organise due diligence, a timetable and any exclusivity. Documents and their sequence vary, and commitments depend on the agreed clauses.

A higher nominal price is not automatically a better offer. Examine payment dates, adjustment conditions and guarantees. If payment is deferred, consider the implications of a vendor loan.

Organise due diligence and agreements

Prepare for financial, tax, contractual and other relevant investigations. Address findings in the price, conditions and contractual protection. The sale agreement should distinguish signing, completion formalities and amounts payable at closing or later.

Allow a realistic timetable

As an operating planning range, an SME seller can reasonably prepare for a 6–12 month process from preparation to closing, sometimes longer. Timing depends on information readiness, finding a buyer, the gap in price expectations, financing and the complexity of investigations.

Avoid preventable problems

Starting too late, relying on an unsupported asking price, neglecting due diligence or ignoring tax can weaken the process. Sharing confidential information without a communication plan and appropriate protection can also damage negotiations. Confidentiality must be coordinated with legally required employee information and consultation: it does not replace those obligations.

Prepare a first confidential discussion

Clarify what you want to transfer, your future role and timing constraints. For an initial message, sector, indicative size and objectives are useful; identifying information and documents can be shared through the agreed process.

We can start with valuation and preparation or organise a confidential buyer search. Tell us your objectives using the form below.

Contact

Describe your needs, we’ll find the right solution for you

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed