🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE LIVE: 🚨
Inside a £5M Business Acquisition: How the Deal Was Structured & Closed

Ever wondered what really happens in the deal room? Get the inside story on Episode #26 of The Business Finance Podcast

We’re back with another episode of The Business Finance Podcast, brought to you by The Best Finance Group. This week, Phil and Jack are giving you a front-row seat to the inner workings of real business funding deals, from initial enquiry to completion.

There are three segments in our 10 minute shows:

🔹 On The Desk
 We talk live deals in progress:
 • Corporation Tax Loans
 • VAT Funding Solutions
 • The rise of Revolving Credit Facilities as an alternative to Invoice Finance

Plus, hear how a Bristol coatings company is navigating cash flow pressures and the impact of funding withdrawals for construction firms and couriers.

🔹 The Deal Room (New Segment!)
Ever wondered how a £5 million business acquisition is actually structured? We take you inside the deal room for an exclusive look at a Midlands-based recruitment agency buyout, involving invoice finance, unsecured lending, credit insurance and the specialist advisors that made it happen.

🔹 Deal of the Week
Big congrats to our ace broker Elliott Sharp for securing a £200,000 unsecured loan for a UK manufacturer, consolidating multiple loans into a single, growth-focused facility, delivered in just 5 working days.

🎧 Listen now and stay ahead of the funding curve: 

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly insights on how businesses are funding growth, acquisitions, and navigating the changing finance landscape.

Hello!

In this episode of The Business Finance Podcast, we sit down with Chris Spratling, author of the Amazon Best Selling Book - The Exit Roadmap, this is the best book we have ever read on the subject of selling your business.

Chris is a seasoned entrepreneur, business growth and exit advisor and now an Amazon Best Selling Author. With decades of experience building, scaling, and successfully exiting businesses, Chris now helps business owners navigate the complex process of selling their companies through his consultancy, Chalkhill Blue. Chris has been in the trenchesboth as a seller and a buyer, he now brings real-world insights that cut through the theory and get to what actually works when selling a business.

We met with Christ to uncover why so many business owners fail to maximise their company’s value when selling. Chris shares eye-opening statistics about business sales, the pitfalls of poor preparation, and the critical factors that determine whether a deal succeeds, or falls apart.
We discuss:

🔹 Why 60% of businesses never sell
🔹 The real reason owners regret their exit
🔹 How long it actually takes to prepare a business for sale
🔹 The key value drivers buyers look for
🔹 Understanding the different types of buyers (Individual, Strategic, Financial, Family Office and Internal Buyer)
🔹 How to structure deals for maximum return and minimal headaches

If you’re a business owner considering an exit in the next few years, this is a must-watch conversation that could add serious value to your future sale. We HIGHLY recommend you get a copy of this book, it could make you many moire £000's when it's time to exit (See below for our Free Book Givaway, 10 copies available!)
 
If you would like a FREE, comprehensive report about how ready your business currently if you were to sell today, take 7-8 minutes to go through the Exit Readiness Survey:

🎯 Take the FREE Exit Readiness Survey here today:
 
https://chalkhillblue.org/exitreadiness-survey/

📘 Get Chris's fantastic book 'The Exit Roadmap' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5YB9YWQ

To find out more about Chalkhill Blue and how they can help you with your business growth and exit, visit their website here: https://chalkhillblue.org/  

To connect with Chris on Linkedin, visit here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspratling/ 

If you would like a FREE COPY of 'The Exit Roadmap', we have 10 copies to give away, thanks to Chris!!!

If you would like a copy please email [email protected] with the Email Title ‘The Exit Roadmap’ and just include your business name and address. First come, first served so send us an email today to claim your free copy!

🔔 Don’t forget to kindly support our channel, please do LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more interviews and insights on business finance, growth, and exit strategies.

If you need help finding a buyer for your business, if you have someone looking to acquire your business that needs help with finance or if you need funding to acquire another business, we can help. Please feel free to get in touch by calling 02921 900000, by visiting www.thebestgroup.co.uk or by emailing us to arrange a call back here: [email protected] 


#BusinessSale #ExitStrategy #ChrisSpratling #TheExitRoadmap #BusinessFinancePodcast #SellingABusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessValuation #SMEs #Entrepreneurship

🚨 New Podcast Episode – Season 2 Finale! 🎙️

Struggling with cash flow or facing a large VAT bill? You're not alone and we've got practical solutions that are helping UK businesses right now.

In the final episode of Season 2 of The Business Finance Podcast, Phil and Jack review the key finance strategies we’ve covered this season, including:

✅ Smart ways to fund startups and acquisitions
✅Real-world solutions to cash flow gaps
✅ How VAT and corporation tax loans are helping businesses stay ahead
✅ Why revolving credit facilities are gaining popularity
✅ What's next in Season 3 – featuring accountants, tax advisors, and exit planning experts

Whether you're navigating rapid growth, planning an M&A deal, or just need better cash flow management, this episode is full of insights you can use today.


💬 We’d love to hear your feedback, what topic should we cover in Season 3?

If you need help with any business finance requirements, please contact us at www.thebestgroup.co.uk 

🚨 Thinking About Buying a Business? Here’s What You Need to Know 👇

🎙️ In the latest episode of The Business Finance Podcast, Jack Seymour and Phil Murphy break down how to buy a business in the UK — from spotting opportunities to structuring the deal and securing funding.

✅ Why acquisition can beat organic growth
✅ What to look for when assessing a business for sale
✅ Key red flags to avoid 🚩
✅ Funding strategies — even if you don’t have upfront capital 💰
✅ How ABL, invoice finance & refinancing play a role
✅ Real client case studies (including live MBOs)
✅ Building your “deal team” — accountants, lawyers, brokers

💬 “It’s not always about having the money – it’s about knowing how to structure the deal.”

With thousands of business owners planning to exit in the next few years, acquisition is a huge opportunity — and we’re here to help you navigate it.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly insights on business finance, acquisitions, and funding strategies! 

If you need help or guidance with any form of business finance, please contact us at www.thebestgroup.co.uk

🎙️ LIVE from the NACFB Expo 2025! | Business Finance Podcast | Best Finance Group 💼💡

In this special episode of the Business Finance Podcast, we hit the floor of the NACFB Expo (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) — the UK’s leading event for commercial finance professionals. 🚀

We were there to do what we do best — stay ahead of the curve and connect with a wide variety of lenders to ensure our clients always have access to the widest range of commercial finance solutions available. 🔍💷

👥 We interviewed some of our key lending partners, including:

Funding Circle – Discussing unsecured loans & their new FlexiPay revolving credit facility 💳

NatWest – Talking fixed-rate commercial mortgages 🏢📈

Close Brothers – Covering invoice finance, the Growth Guarantee Scheme and innovative acquisition funding strategies 🧾📊

Premium Credit – Breaking down tax loans and how to spread HMRC liabilities smoothly 📆💰

Asset Advantage – Exploring tailored asset finance options for franchises and new-starts 🚛📦

Whether it's asset finance, tax loans, invoice funding, unsecured loans, revolving credit, or the Growth Guarantee Scheme, we’re always looking to bring our clients cutting-edge, flexible funding options. 🔄📉📈

🎧 Why we attend events like NACFB Expo

By showing up and staying in close contact with the UK's most proactive lenders, we keep our finger on the pulse of commercial finance. This means better, faster, and more creative solutions for your business funding needs. 💼🤝

👇 Don't miss out on this insight-packed episode! 

✅ Need help with commercial finance?
Visit 👉 https://www.thebestgroup.co.uk

📅 New episodes every Friday – Subscribe for the latest on business funding, finance tips & lender insights!


#BusinessFinance #CommercialFinance #NACFB2025 #UnsecuredLoans #RevolvingCredit #TaxLoans #InvoiceFinance #AssetFinance #GrowthGuaranteeScheme #BusinessLoansUK #BestFinanceGroup #FundingCircle #NatWest #CloseBrothers #PremiumCredit #AssetAdvantage #FinancePodcast #UKBusiness #FinanceTips #CommercialLending #SMEFunding

Thinking about selling your business in the near future?🏢💼

In this episode of The Business Finance Podcast, we dive into the top questions business owners ask before selling — from how much your business is worth, how to maximise the value of your business and how to avoid slowing down the sale process.

✅ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• 🔍 How to value your business and what factors impact price
• 📦 How to get your business ready for sale (and what buyers look for)
• ⏳ What slows down a business sale — and how to avoid delays
• 💸 The financial preparation you should start doing in advance of exit
• 🧑‍💼 Who should be on your advisory team for a smooth sale
________________________________________
💼 At The Best Finance Group, we help business owners:

✅ Prepare for exit with clear, expert guidance
✅ Value your business correctly and get it “buyer ready”
✅ Market your business confidentially to the right buyers
✅ Secure the right finance, deal structure, and team support (including legal, tax, and financial brokerage experts (That’s us!)

We help you sell smart and exit strong. 🧠💼💸
________________________________________
📲 Need help selling your business?

Visit us at www.thebestgroup.co.uk and contact our expert team to find out how we can help you sell your business the right way — with clarity, confidence, and maximum value.

📢 Please don’t forget to follow us for more business finance insights every Friday!  

#SellingABusiness #BusinessExit #BusinessValuation #BusinessBroker #M&A #BusinessSale #BusinessFinance #Entrepreneurs #TheBestFinanceGroup #ExitStrategy #SellMyBusiness #HowToSellABusiness #SmallBusinessSale #BusinessAcquisition

🎙 The Business Finance Podcast | Management Buy-Ins (MBIs) Explained

📅 New Episodes Every Friday | 🔔 Subscribe for more expert insights

In this episode of The Business Finance Podcast, Jack Seymour and Phil Murphy dive into the world of Management Buy-Ins (MBIs) — a powerful acquisition strategy for entrepreneurs and investors. If you're exploring business acquisitions or want to understand the difference between MBIs and MBOs, this episode is packed with practical insights, expert guidance, and real-world examples.

🔍 Topics Covered:
00:24 – What is a Management Buy-In (MBI)?
01:05 – How MBIs differ from MBOs
01:31 – Advantages & disadvantages of MBIs
02:36 – Typical MBI process
03:42 – Funding options for MBIs
05:07 – Common challenges in MBIs
07:20 – How long does an MBI take?
08:27 – 💼 Deal of the Week: A post-acquisition success story involving £150,000 unsecured funding
11:44 – A shoutout to the Panath Town U13s football team!

💡 Key Takeaways:
Understand how MBI's work and how they differ from MBOs

Learn about typical deal structures and funding routes (including asset-based lending, private equity, and vendor finance)

Hear about the real-life challenges buyers face — and how to overcome them

Discover how The Best Finance Group helps speed up deals by accessing the whole lending market

📣 Got a commercial finance requirement?
Visit: https://www.thebestgroup.co.uk

🧠 Featured Experts:
Phil Murphy – Business Finance Expert

Jack Seymour – Acquisition Finance Expert

💼 Ideal for:
Aspiring business acquirers

Corporate finance advisors

SME owners planning an exit

Private investors and entrepreneurs

🛠️ Useful Resources:

📚 Book Mentioned: The Exit Roadmap by Chris Spratling
Available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exit-Roadmap-insiders-business-profitably-ebook/dp/B0F5YB9YWQ

💬 Contact Best Finance Group: https://www.thebestgroup.co.uk

#ManagementBuyIn #BusinessAcquisition #MBI #MBO #BuyASmallBusiness #BusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship #SMEFinance #PrivateEquity #CommercialFinance #BestFinanceGroup #BusinessFunding #AcquisitionStrategy #FinancePodcast #SmallBusinessUK

How to Finance an MBO: Most Common Questions Answered - Expert Q&A & Live MBO Case Study 💼💰

In this video, we dive deep into the world of Management Buyouts (MBOs) and answer the most commonly asked questions about financing an MBO. If you're considering an MBO or just want to understand how the process works, this expert-led session will give you all the insights you need. 📊🎥

We’ll cover key topics such as:
🔹 What is an MBO?
🔹 What are the most common funding options for an MBO?
🔹 How is the business valued during an MBO?
🔹 What is the typical timeline to complete an MBO?
🔹 What challenges might arise from an MBO?
🔹 Will I receive the same value via an MBO compared to other exit options?
🔹 What role do external advisors play in an MBO? 🤝

PLUS, we’ll go through a LIVE case study 📚 that we, at The Best Finance Group, are currently working on. This case study will help you better understand how we approach MBOs in real-world scenarios and how financing is structured.

💡 Want more insights on MBOs?
If you have any questions about MBOs or need assistance navigating the process, feel free to reach out to us directly at www.thebestgroup.co.uk. We're here to help! 🤗

This episode of The Business Finance Podcast is a Q and A special!

Phil and Jack discuss five very different enquiries we've received in the last week, giving examples of the challenges faced and the solutions we have implemented or recommended. 

1 - A client looking to use purchase a machine via Asset Finance, to help service a new contract. The challenge is that revenue will not come in for a few months, so they needed a way to put as little cash down as possible. We discuss zero deposits and VAT deferrals.

2 - A client was looking to sell the shares in his business to his son and the general manager, after failing to secure the right finance via a previous broker, we explain how we restructured the deal and delivered an unsecured loan of £400,000.

3 - This business has won a contract in the United States, but needed a solution that would allow him to recieve the majority of his revenue once he's raised an invoice. He was also concerned about delayed or non-payment and how he would be able to protect his business and collect on the debt. We discuss International Single Invoice Finance with Bad Debt Protection included.

4 - In this example a client had bought a commercial property at auction and needed to find the funds to pay for it within 5 weeks. We explain how a bridging loan was the best choice in this instance and how we secured the funding within 3 weeks and set up a commercial mortgage allowing his to pay off the bridging loan within 2 months.

5 - For the final example we discuss a client that works with Eastern European Governmental Departments, but they only get paid at the end of each year when their client gets their EU Funding Grants. They were looking for a loan to help them with cashflow, we discuss how we recommended a Revolving Credit Facility as this was going to be an ongoing challenge. 

It's a value packed 13 minutes! No matter what business you are in, you are sure to find some of these examples of interest.

If you have a business finance challenge, please feel free to contact us via www.thebestgroup.co.uk  

Thanks for joining us, we appreciate your support!

This week, we are delighted to have our first external guest on The Business Finance Podcast. We had a great conversation with Ian Keevil-Smith, Sales Director at Skipton Business Finance, part of the Skipton Group.

We wanted to speak to an #invoicefinance lender that we place clients with regularly, that have a very good range of different funding solutions. This includes standard #invoicefactoring and #invoicediscounting, Skipton Select which is an interest only/bundled fee product and one of our favourite funding solutions, LedgerLite. This is more like a credit line/revolving credit facility. This made Ian representing #SkiptonBusinessFinance an ideal guest for this episode. 

Ian also gives us a great insight into how a lender will assess your application and what you can do to get your business in the best possible shape before submitting your application.

So, thank you very much Ian, we really enjoyed having you on the show and we are sure our viewers and listeners will find a lot of value in this 15 minute chat.

If you currently use invoice finance and are thinking about assessing your options, or if you are looking for funding and would like an informal discussion about the best options available, please get in touch! 

www.thebestgroup.co.uk