Scale, Structure, Sell

Chris Dowling is joined by Ian Grimley of Roxburgh Milkins to discuss:

How important it is to define your ideal exit early and work backwards from it,

The different routes available, including private equity, venture capital, trade sales and management buyouts,

Why choosing the right investor or buyer can be just as important as securing investment,

The risks of giving away too much equity too early,

The importance of trusted advisers and preparing your business ahead of a transaction,

Why making your business less dependent on you can help protect its value and make it more attractive to a potential buyer.

And lastly...

Ian shares his surprisingly strong opinions on pandas, their diet and some questionable evolutionary decisions.

Chris Dowling is joined by Ed Chapman of Acuity Law to:

• Reflect on the importance of preparing early. This protects value, reduces risks and guards against price chipping,

• Hammer out the fundamentals of what we really think matters,

• Outline our experience of deal dynamics,

• Reflect on the stresses of a business sale. How do we manage & reduce “Deal Fatigue”?

Ed also offers his personal, professional pet hate and a surprising culinary tip.

This week, Chris Dowling is joined by John Endacott of PKF Francis Clark to discuss:

• How recent inheritance tax changes are affecting business owners and their families,

• The growing importance of succession planning in a changing tax environment,

• Why many business structures may now be exposed to new inheritance tax risks,

• The role trusts can play in protecting family wealth and business continuity,

• How pension changes could impact long-term wealth and estate planning,

• What business owners should consider when planning an exit or transferring wealth to the next generation.

And lastly...

• Why John Endacott believes that energy matters more than many people realise, and why dynamism remains one of society's most valuable assets.

A conversation with Cate Jackson of Bishop Fleming on what happens when a business owner is ready to step away from their company.

We discuss succession planning, preparing a business for sale, transferring ownership to family or management, and why business owners should start planning for life after ownership much earlier than they often do.

Sam Farrell and Chris Dowling consider how businesses should approach debt funding as part of their growth plans. How do you get the right funding, at the right price? Aligning your strategy, financials and debt capacity are the answer.

Rob Davies and Chris Dowling discuss how tax changes are forcing business owners to plan succession sooner. It’s tricky – our clients need to balance family dynamics, tax risks and incentives to ensure continuity and protect their business’s value.

Brian Hill has been part of many business sales – on both sides of the transaction. He shares how to make yours go well. Early preparation, understanding value drivers, mitigating risks, and focusing on, readiness and deal terms rather than headline price are key.

A conversation with David Goodall on demystifying business funding.

We cover how funding needs evolve by growth stage, when to use equity versus debt, and why clear communication and early conversations with funders are critical to securing the right support for your business.