Succession and acquisition
Business succession and acquisition, supported from start to finish
Most owners go through a succession or sale only once. We guide owner-directors, family businesses and management teams through the whole process: from the first choices to the handover and the period after it. With one point of contact and a network of M&A specialists, lawyers and funders.
Planning business succession: start with the right questions
Good succession planning starts long before the handover. The first question is who can and will continue the business:
- Family: a son, daughter or relative who takes over the leadership.
- Management: your own management team through a management buy-out.
- An external buyer: a trade buyer, an investor or an entrepreneur through a management buy-in.
Each route asks something different of the organisation, the funding and the tax structure. We set the options side by side and build the plan that fits you and your business.
Selling your business as an owner-director
As an owner-director you are selling more than a company. It is often your life's work, and the outcome determines your wealth for the years that follow. So we look at the whole picture: the sale price, the structure of your holding company, the tax consequences and your own role after the sale. For the tax and legal side we work with trusted specialists from our network.
A well-prepared business sells for more. Read more on preparing your business for sale.
Management buy-out support
In a management buy-out (MBO) your own management team buys the business. It is often an attractive route: the team knows the company and continuity is secured. But it needs solid funding, clear agreements and a team that can handle the role of owner.
We support the management team and the seller with the business plan, the funding structure (bank, investors and possibly a vendor loan) and the negotiations. And we help the new owners work as a team.
Acquiring a business: buying and integrating
Looking to buy a company? We help you find and assess the right target, with due diligence, funding and negotiations. Our strength shows after the deal: the first hundred days, when plans have to become reality.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a business acquisition take?
From first conversations to completion, an acquisition often takes six to twelve months. The preparation, making the business ready for sale, ideally starts a few years earlier.
What is the difference between an MBO and an MBI?
In a management buy-out the existing management buys the business. In a management buy-in an external manager or entrepreneur buys in and takes over the leadership.
What is a vendor loan?
A loan from the seller to the buyer for part of the purchase price. It makes the funding more achievable and shows the seller has confidence in the future of the business.
Can my management team buy my business?
Often, yes, provided the funding can be arranged and the team can take on the owner's role. We assess both and connect the team with suitable funders.
Contact
Let’s get acquainted
Is your business facing a decisive moment, or would you rather stay ahead of one? Call or email Marcus directly for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
Marcus Preijde, partner