A guide to selling your business

Preparation, preparation, preparation.

For many business owners, selling their business is a transaction they will only do once. And for many, this will be one of the most important transactions in their working life and a key step toward providing financial independence and freedom for themselves and their loved ones.

Yet many business owners do not fully prepare their business for the challenges of the exit process, and given the pressures of just ‘running the business’ — that’s hardly surprising. Preparing a business for sale, even if that sale will take place some time into the future, can be viewed as incorporating best practices within your business.

In this guide, we explore the complex and demanding business exit process and provide you with the steps that you can take to prepare for success.

Important information

This guide is provided strictly for your general consideration only and represents our understanding of the law and HM Revenue & Customs practice as at 6 April 2024, including proposals in the Finance Bill 2022. The guide is not intended to (and does not) represent advice. It is essential that no action is taken or refrained from being taken based on this guide alone. Specialist advice (as referred to throughout the guide) is essential. Accordingly, neither Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) nor any of its officers, employees or contractors can accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned as a result of any such action or inaction.

The value of tax reliefs depends on your individual circumstances. Tax laws can change. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax, Will or trust advice. The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investing in shares should be regarded as a long-term investment and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.