Sell Your Company with the UK’s #1 in business sales
We sell more companies on behalf of founders, CEOs, and shareholders than any other UK-based company.
Confidently sell your company with KBS Corporate. We specialise in mid-market SMEs in all sectors and industries.
So if you are looking for an outright sale, quick sale, partial sell-down or a private equity investment we have the expertise, experience, and technical knowledge to do the job. Our deal leaders and directors are entrepreneurs who have built, sold, floated, and secured investments into companies of their own. You will be in good hands with us.
ACHIEVE MAXIMUM VALUE WHEN YOU SELL YOUR COMPANY
We’ve been in operation for 25+ years, and for seven consecutive years have successfully overseen more company sales than any other UK-based business.
Selling your company may sound like a daunting process at times. However, it’s a process we know inside out, having built and sold many ourselves. That’s why we’ve carefully constructed a streamlined process, based on experience, that will be tailored to your specific requirements to help you find the right buyer and approach the market in such a way that will help maximise your company’s valuation.
Let our specialist team lead all aspects of the selling of your company, and provide you with the resources and expertise required for a successful exit strategy.
Six common motivations for selling a business
There are multiple ways to prepare for a business sale, ensuring you are in position to achieve the value your company deserves:
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SELL A COMPANY
Legal services. Tax advice. Aftersale financial information and planning. We can facilitate all aspects of the transaction. That’s why our service is trusted by vendors and buyers all over the world.
Sell your company with us, and you will be in the hands of our dedicated experts. All of whom are qualified in a variety of key disciplines including accountancy, corporate finance, business management and marketing.
We have experience in completing every type of transaction across all industries and sectors. We maintain strong relationships with an extensive depth of acquirers spanning across all sectors. We create market-leading presentation material to showcase your company and its value drivers, making it as attractive as possible to buyers.
MAKE A CONFIDENTIAL ENQUIRY‘I WANT to SELL MY COMPANY’ – FAQs
It depends on the size of your company and the circumstances behind the sale. A relatively straightforward sale may happen in months. More complicated sales — involving disputes between shareholders, for example — may take years. What’s important is that the sale is done properly.
We will spend the necessary time to consult with you, building a relationship that equips us with the knowledge required to deliver a successful outcome. Finding the right acquirer can take an extended period, but it is critical to find a buyer that fulfils all your objectives.
You will have a variety of options. You may wish to consider selling the entirety of your company to a trade buyer looking to expand. Certain companies will appeal to private equity investors, an option which could be suitable if you are not seeking a full immediate exit. We also have vast experience of MBO, MBI and EOT (Employee Ownership Trust) sales, among an array of ‘alternative’ transaction types. The relationships we have with an extensive network of buyers, both in the UK and overseas, allows you to study all possibilities.
Before approaching the market, you can liaise with us to establish your objectives and expectations, as well as align your company’s operations to satisfy what a buyer might be looking for. This could include structuring and strengthening your workforce, as well as clarifying the status of any contracts and leases held by your company.
Once you have accepted an offer for your company, you will go through the formal process of legal checks and due diligence. This is a comprehensive process that allows buyers to confirm the assumptions they have made about the financial and operational standing of your company.
To facilitate a smooth process, ensure all liabilities are paid off or disclosed and be prepared to share the necessary financial documents that confirm the company’s status. Buyers will also look to review assets, contracts, and any intellectual property the company holds, along with your company’s insurance policies.
Read more: how do I prepare for due diligence when selling a business?
Yes. Even if you are selling to a friend or relative with a valuation agreed, everything should be in writing and legal protocols executed correctly. We give our clients the opportunity to team up with a leading UK law firm, with fees dependent on a successful conclusion to the deal.
Yes. There are a broad range of prospective buyers with varying interests. You do not have to commit to a full sale if you are looking to maintain a level of involvement and control in the company. Our company sales experts maintain long-standing relationships with buyers who are ready to provide alternative deal structures including shares.
Yes. This would simply introduce an additional factor to consider during negotiations. We will lead discussions with interested parties to ensure any debt attached to your company is reflected in the final valuation in a way that satisfies everyone involved in the deal.
The valuation can be influenced both internally and externally. Interested buyers will consider your financial performance and operational infrastructure, and current market activity will dictate how profitable your company can be. We have a clear understanding of existing market trends, enabling us to position your company at the right time and as effectively as possible.
Yes. If you are looking to sell your company via a share sale, the new owners may take on liability for its repayment. However, many transactions will be completed on a case-free, debt-free basis and you will have the opportunity to repay the bounce-back loan before completion.
The tax aspect requires significant consideration. If you sell your company for a profit, you will have to pay Capital Gains Tax on anything above your tax-free allowance. K3 Tax Advisory, our sister company, has a team of specialist advisers who know how to mitigate any implications that will arise during the sale of your business.
There are several costs to consider, including adviser fees for marketing your business and securing a sale, as well as solicitor fees when conducting due diligence. We pride ourselves on offering a tailored, bespoke service, charging a competitive rate that fairly reflects our involvement in the sale.
If you make a profit from selling your company, you must pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on anything over your tax-free allowance. Business Asset Disposal Relief means business sellers will be charged CGT at 10% on the first £1m of profit until April 6 2025, when the rate will rise to 14%, and 18% from April 6 2026. For any gains outside of the BADR limit, the CGT rate is 24%.
This will depend on the structure of your final agreement with the buyer. If you have received private equity investment, you may have decided to stay at the company in a leadership role with a reduced shareholding. In a trade sale, you might wish to remain for an agreed period of time for a handover period or on a consultancy basis. Or it may simply be time for you to step away and start reaping the rewards of your hard work.
