10 minutes read The shadow chancellor is being lobbied heavily to increase Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”). Under the current system, profits from the sale of second homes or shares in businesses are taxed at a much lower rate than wages. For some, the prospect of a CGT increase is a driver for sale and for others,…
6 minutes read Dynamic markets dramatically threaten business models. Evolution may be too slow and so many businesses are turning to revolution as CEOs of larger and mid-tier companies increasingly turn to acquisitions of even small businesses, to satisfy both their market and future customer needs. In a recent PWC survey, 45% of CEOs believed that…
4 minutes read In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and political turmoil, it is easy to succumb to pessimism. Every business encounters obstacles but dwelling on worries can exacerbate issues and lead to burnout. While conventional wisdom advises doubling down and pushing harder in tough times, what if you and your team are already stretched thin?…
3 minutes read Capital Gains Tax (CGT) We had cautiously hoped that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for sellers of businesses would remain untouched following the recent adjustments that significantly reduced Capital Gain Tax annual personal allowances. However, Labour is now advocating an increase in Capital Gains Tax to 45%, specifically targeting private equity executives with the…
7 minutes read Succession has been a huge TV franchise hit for HBO. It has ageing patriarch Logan Roy contemplating what the future holds for him and his media empire. You may not have an empire, but your business is valuable, and you should consider succession. Will it be to the family, a trade sale, a…
10 minutes read In the title, we draw inspiration from the name of the renowned 1989 book “Barbarians at the Gate” on leveraged buyouts written by Byran Burrough and John Helyar. This narrative characterises financial buyers as modern-day raiders who are not armed with “real money.” However, contrary to the position in 1989, today the coffers…
9.5 minutes read Changes In 1972, David Bowie released “Changes,” a timeless song that still resonates strongly in today’s era of upheaval. Beyond its musical brilliance, the lyrics hold significant relevance to the ever-evolving landscape of business and exit strategies. They encapsulate the need to adapt to the turbulent environment in which today’s businesses operate.…
Understanding the technicalities of company valuations is of paramount importance for investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. Valuations also offer valuable insights into a business’s financial health and possible sale preparation. In our upcoming webinar, we explore: 1. Company Valuation Methods: Understanding how to assess a company’s worth, encompassing income, market, and asset-based approaches. 2. The…
9 minutes read The market has shifted, and for many, fast-track growth seems like a distant dream. Investors and buyers are treading more cautiously but there is still good money available for shareholders to sell or take investment where the business is profitable, predictable, and robust. So, you might ask “Why sell your business in a…
5.5 minutes read Preparing your business for sale is a critical step in ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Even if you are not actively looking to sell your business, being ‘sale ready’ is essential if you are looking to sell in the future as you never know when a buyer may approach. There are many…
7 minutes read For many, selling your business is the ultimate reward. Providing the opportunity to secure wealth, time, and capital. For many that dream is having enough capital to comfortably live without concerns about work or business, or at the very least having the freedom to make that choice. Wealth is the freedom to decide.…
8 minutes read From a legal perspective, when purchasing a company in the UK it is your job to check that everything is accurately represented. UK law operates on the principle of Caveat Emptor, which is derived from the Latin phrase, “quia ignorare non debuit quod jus alienum emit” meaning, ‘let a purchaser beware, for…
4.5 minutes read The impact of Capital Gains Tax rates on business sale timings The sale of a company is often the ultimate goal for an entrepreneur. Cash in the bank and freedom of time – however, with your business generating a good yield and alternative investments being volatile, many business owners understandably choose to…
6 minutes read Buyers and investors have remained highly active despite the market volatility, but how can you best prepare your business for sale to drive the “we need, we want” motivation in buyers in a market where quality pays? 1. Fail to plan, plan to fail This may be just a saying, but its essence…
3 minutes read Mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) are increasingly common however, the increasing frequency of M&A deals has raised concerns regarding the tax implications. There is a growing debate about whether Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”) rates should be increased for M&A transactions. Proponents of the increase argue that higher CGT rates will generate more revenue for…
5 minutes read In business valuations, ‘Debt Free Cash Free’ is a commonly used term that impacts the sale process. At Avondale, we know that selling your business is a huge step and one that will have a far-reaching, and hopefully positive impact on your future. However, the business sale journey will take you down many new…
3 minutes read With the economy stagnant and following Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget, major stumble in September, Jeremy Hunt today presented a slow and steady budget that aims to trim inflation whilst boosting productivity and growth. But will it work? The key changes for businesses are: Corporation Tax (“CT”): As previously announced this increases from 1 April…
5 minutes read An outstanding business, with great growth potential in an expanding market and strong recurring revenue, will always command a premium value. It can, however, take many years to design and create such a business, and often it requires time, capital, the right team and place. So, if we put aside the exceptions, how…
5 minutes read With nearly a third of M&A deals going to Private Equity buyers in 2022, you may be asking “should I sell to them?” The answer will be driven by several factors including the deal structure and of course price, but in a world of abundant capital, a Private Equity (“PE”) sale may be…
10 minutes read Our series of articles on the ‘Perfect’ Business Sale a couple of years ago proved to be very popular, so we thought it would be good to start 2023 with a summary of what we believe are the key strategies to achieve the perfect business sale. The ‘perfect’ business sale is a fast,…
3 minutes read Firstly we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. We hope you had a good break and are now ready to tackle the year ahead making 2023 a successful and prosperous year. With the announcement of the Spring budget set for the 15th of March 2023, there is speculation about potential changes…
11 minutes read Cost Reduction With margins squeezed and slow growth in a world of inflation, there are fewer opportunities to pass on your increased costs. Business costs are challenging, on second thoughts, they are psychologically difficult – but there are choices. How do you review your cost base and spot ‘layer cake’? Where can…
3 minutes read Today’s Autumn statement resembled a tightrope walk – increasing income (taxes), cutting costs (the state) and improving the balance sheet (debt and interest) – all whilst inflation is rife, and economic growth has stalled. It felt as though the Government was sway-dancing on the tightrope to ‘Everybody Hurts’ (the 1992 REM classic and…
12 minutes read The Market Recessions are not just about poor economic growth, they are often accompanied by other characteristics such as widespread job losses, fewer available jobs, and more Government relief. Investors may baulk, but stocks tend to bounce back rapidly making recessions a good time to invest. With all the turmoil in the…
21 minutes read Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen Some of you may recall “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen“, the brilliant song by Baz Luhrmann. The line “sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…” seems particularly apt in these crazy times, it’s also relevant for anyone selling their business – in that timing is important but so…
Whilst we do not believe that the perfect sale, whether trade or otherwise, exists, in this insight we share some ideas that will help you get as close as possible to your perfect sale. Although predominantly written for sellers, there are a few points that are relevant or even specific to buyers. The Decision to…
10.5 minutes read For many business owners, selling their company to exit is the ultimate reward for years of hard work. Most of the wealth in the world is capital wealth, not income, and realising this wealth can be an important part of a business owner’s journey and the peak of their ambitions. In a world…
12 minute read Introduction Negotiating the best price for your business is key when research shows that more than half of the companies in the UK are undersold. They do not achieve maximum negotiated value – they only secure financial sale value. Surprisingly, the cause of this is not always sale preparation or the company…
An exit strategy is a plan to create succession or liquidate the value of shares. A successful exit will focus on profitable value and ideally realise the goodwill inherent in a business; that being the customer loyalty that results in both current and future profitable revenue. Some corporates will also divest non-core assets to realise…
8.5 minute read The “perfect” trade sale – is a fuss-free, maximum value, strategic trade deal with buyers that just “get it”. Yes, this is great in theory, but how can you achieve it? The Right Stuff Preparation, timing, and process all have a bearing on achieving the “perfect” trade sale, however, strategic buyers will be…
How to Improve the Saleability of Your Business Selling your company is the largest financial transaction most people ever undertake. Despite the large sums of money involved, it is surprising how most business owners do not plan adequately. This is one of the key reasons many business owners get a nasty surprise – approximately a…
How the Russian-Ukraine war affects Mergers and Acquisitions After the shock to the system that was the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy seemed to be healing. This has especially been the case since late 2020 into early 2021, with last year being the best year for M&A, with a new deal value of nearly £4…
In an ever-evolving corporate landscape business leaders must recognise the importance of focusing business strategy on creating valuable companies as well as on maintaining day to day functions and profits. Valuations are centred around balanced risk and longevity of cash flow, present value of money and the likely yield we can generate from its effective…
Mergers & Acquisitions post-COVID Kevin Uphill and Tim Hardman of Avondale Corporate will look at mergers & acquisitions post-COVID-19. From strategic trade deals to Employee Ownership, MBO sales and Private Equity investment. Topics covered include: • Valuation methods and deal structures • Latest trends • Identifying the right deals • Identifying the right buyers or…
Private Equity Demystified Over half of all M&A transactions in the UK in the last year have been Private Equity led or financed. It is no longer good enough to avoid understanding these transactions because we don’t like ‘the suits and spreadsheets’. When structured correctly, they can be hugely effective at blending both exit and…
5 minute read Quite often a ‘good’ company is perceived as being average. In the 1990s, well-known management books such as “Good to Great” and “In Search of Excellence”, further re-enforced this view. ‘Great’ or ‘excellent’ is the mantra and ‘good’ is not sufficient. This is a shame, as it can result in CEOs and…
2021 M&A Trends and Mid-Year Review It’s a world of volatility and low organic growth; yet many businesses are still outperforming expectations. It’s also a world of superabundant capital – too much money that is looking for a yield, which is rocket fuel for buy-outs. M&A is a critical component of strategy, so what is…
Business Exit Strategies: The Do’s And Dont’s A business exit may be the largest transaction a leader will undertake, and the right approach can make a fundamental difference between success and failure. Mistakes can be costly, and here we present the most common slip-ups and how to avoid them. In our Exit Strategies: 11 Worst…
9.5 min read 2021 M&A Trends and Mid-Year Review Increasingly we are witnessing in 2021 M&A trends as the pandemic has changed many aspects of our world. Whilst it has accelerated virtual working and placed technology at the centre of our business models, it has also left organic growth as no more than a pipe…
9.5 min read A business exit may be the largest transaction a leader will undertake, and the right approach can make a fundamental difference between success and failure. Mistakes can be costly, and here we present the most common slip-ups and how to avoid them. 1. Failing to Prepare The Business Exit Strategy Many owners…
So long, and thanks for all the fish! Following Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement earlier today, some form of Brexit deal is looking more likely. Leaving the European Union is a political choice ultimately based on sovereignty, and of course ‘fish’ judging by newspaper headlines. My headline is borrowed from the Douglas Adam’s book -…
10 min read The Tax On Selling A Business And Its Effect On The Business Sale At the start of this series, we defined a ‘perfect’ sale as a fast, optimised sale, with the right buyers or investors, with the right terms and timing, minimal tax on selling a business, and a rewarding onward…
12 min read Completion: Selling A Business And What To Expect Once a deal is agreed, an exclusive period with one buyer is typically undertaken followed by a focused push to finalise the transaction. This involves the purchaser ensuring that they are buying what they believe are being sold through a process of due diligence, finalising…
The Tax On Selling A Business And The Budget In this broadcast, Kevin Uphill and James Heathcote, director of private client advisory services at Lancaster Knox, discuss the current tax regime, potential 2021 budget and opportunities. The webinar is available below, however, first lets talk about the ‘perfect’ business sale, the tax on selling a…
8.5 min read In Week 3 of our ‘perfect’ business sale series ‘Creating Competition’, we examine how to best drive value in your company sale and attract the right buyers through competition. Creating an Auction For Your Company Sale You have worked hard for your success and now you want to realise that value by…
7.5 min read Market Presentation To Sell A Business Presenting the business to create a “we want, we need” motivation in buyers is essential to achieving the ‘perfect’ sale. Here are our top five tips to positively engage the market when you have taken that first step to sell a business. Advisors Making the choice…
The ‘Perfect’ Business Sale – Selling A Business In this broadcast, Kevin Uphill and Tim Hardman discuss the different types of exits, the steps to the perfect sale and the timeline of selling a business. The webinar is available below, however, first we shall talk about the ‘perfect’ business sale that is ‘easy to define…
The ‘Perfect’ Business Sale – A Fast, Fuss-free Transaction on The Right Terms With The Right Buyers, With A Rewarding Journey Afterwards And No Sting in The Tail. The ‘perfect’ business sale is ‘easy to define but hard to align’. Despite the huge distraction caused by the COVID crisis, buyers are still highly active as…
How To Prepare a Business for Sale During the Covid Pandemic In this broadcast, Kevin Uphill and Tim Hardman discuss how to be sale ready despite volatility, how to create a standout position and a ‘we want, we need’ buyer motivation and how to scale to sell. They also share why information technology is critical…
3 min read Blue Ocean Strategy in a Covid and Post-Covid World Confidence is rising, with the expectation that the economy will soon return to sustained growth as the lockdown continues to ease. However, the longer-term recovery prospects remain highly uncertain. Some of the recent gains in markets reflect short-term bounces as businesses returned…
How To Prepare a Business for Sale During the Covid Pandemic: Things to Consider The M&A market continues to be buoyant, with buyers actively seeking out investments. In the main, this is due to trade buyers need to make acquisitions to shift their business models and create scale and there is private capital looking…
M&A Jargon and Its Place For those of you who do not know, a Babel Fish comes from the Douglas Adams comedy science fiction book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. In the book, he describes a bright yellow fish that, if placed in your ear, can automatically translate any language into your native tongue.…
Business Post-Covid: Remain Positive, React Accordingly and We are Usually Successful The media reports constant gloom and we know that shutting sections of the economy such as leisure and travel is going to have a significant long-term shock. However, the history of the economy proves that there are reasons to be cheerful, and the road…
Business Post-Covid: Remain Positive, React Accordingly and We are Usually Successful I was listening to some old songs over the weekend that got me thinking. The lyrics “The road I must travel”, from Mr Mister’s cheerful 1986 song entitled Kyrie Eleison reminds me of the current challenges ahead. What is going to happen to business…
The M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) strategy in both a volatile market and a dynamic market should remain the central theme (Kevin Uphill ‘Creating Competitive Advantage’): Look at who your future customers will be. Take time out to think and research to lead ahead, rather than manage. What niche can you own, where you create pull…
Business Sales During and After Covid-19: What To Expect and Our Predictions There is no doubt we are at the beginning of this journey and we don’t know how long it’s going to last, or how far into the future there will be a knock-on effect on society and the economy. What I can tell…
EBITDAC Valuation Methods During the Covid-19 Age and What It Means for M&A Discusses latest trends and risks, together with possible methods and approaches. Looks at how professional buyers are tackling the challenge and driving shareholder value. Many of you may have seen the coffee mug circulating on social media; EBITDAC, earnings before interest depreciation,…
Entrepreneur Lifestyle in The Age of Covid-19: Time to Reflect It is said there are two certainties in life, death and taxes; now we must add Coronavirus. This new certainty will be with us for some time, and with it comes economic damage and a detrimental social impact, and part of that social impact may…
The Importance of a Covid Business Strategy The interplay of how we protect lives versus the economy is unprecedented, yet essential. When this crisis finishes the economic fall-out will be huge, with a real drop in gross domestic product. In the 2009 credit crash, the UK saw a drop in GDP by 5% and this…
What exactly are the the Entrepreneurs Relief changes and what will be the Covid-19 impact on the value of businesses Yes, we should worry, as we aren’t sure if covid-19 can be slowed down. However, if a tidal wave can be reduced to a heavy sea we should not worry. This can happen if…
Entrepreneur’s Relief: What Does the Price Cut Actually Mean for Entrepreneur’s? It looks as if the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, rather predictably, didn’t read my article “Could entrepreneurs’ relief be a benefit to the economy rather than a drain on the treasury?”. Announced this afternoon in the budget statement, Entrepreneur’s Relief (ER) – the relief…
The Entrepreneurs Relief Fund And What It Might Mean for The Economy According to the Guardian on the 1st March 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is planning to scrap a £3bn tax relief in a bid to raise cash for an expected increase in public spending in the budget on 11 March. With the budget just…
Tim Hardman, Managing Director of Avondale was invited onto an episode of The Leaders Council podcast, which also included an interview with Lord David Blunkett. Host Jonathan White asked both guests a series of questions about leadership and the role it has played in their careers to date. The Leaders Council of Great Britain and…
Do we create our own luck? Whatever your point of view on Brexit, at least the election result will draw a line under the issue. The Prime Minister will be determined to implement it fast and allow the country to move on. History may yet prove that it is to our advantage to have left…
Business culture and it’s importance in the M&A world There is a saying, “before you presume to manage others, know yourself”. The same may be applied to business culture. When you know your people, their values, beliefs and how these combine with decision-making, and therefore how things get done in an organisation, you may understand…
Business failure: Here are three reasons why companies fail to sell and what you can do to prevent them Although rarely spoken about, the fact is that successfully selling a business requires considerable expertise and experience. Businesses are both unique and complex and there is a myriad of reasons why they may not sell. More…
Transactional Risk In Business Sales Business sales are complex, and no two are the same – we all know this. Because of this, many sales fail and leave a very disappointed seller and buyer. Even when an advisor is familiar with the type of challenges that occur most regularly, there will always be issues which…
So How Exactly Did We Help Double A Business Offer Then? Expertise is a word used by many companies; but what does it actually mean? What difference does business expertise actually make in an M&A business offer? In the example we will be talking about today – one of the first in a series of…
What is my business really worth? Lets find out… We’ve all heard the question ‘How long is a piece of string?’. Ignoring the answer that it’s twice as long as half its length, what does string length have to do with the value of your business? Well, the length of this said piece of string…
Christmas is past but for many business owners it was a life changing time. Read my article to find out why
Christmas is past but for many business owners it was a life changing time. Read my article to find out why
Successful leaders recognise that M&A is critical to business strategy – whether acquiring, creating shareholder value, merging or selling.
In recent years, the number of MBO deals has seen a steady rise. Last year, the number of deals rose 20%, from 76 deals in 2016 to 91 in 2017. In the same period, the total value of MBO deals grew from £2.6 billion to £2.7 billion – a 4% increase.
Britain’s SMEs are a critical driver of the economy. Now more so than ever. At a time of heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty, it’s essential that private mid-market companies continue to innovate, grow and create jobs.
A solid understanding of the tax environment is critical when planning a merger or acquisition.
In our annual survey in association with the Institute of Directors, we surveyed the views and opinion of IoD members and users of IoD.com. The results, on the one hand, highlight the difficulties facing CEOs and owners at a low- and emerging mid-market level. However – amid emerging threats and challenges – we are also seeing resilience and a determination to carve out new paths to growth.
M&A activity, whether buying, selling or merging has always been a strong complement to business success and in today’s slow-growth economy, it moves centre stage.
Undertaking your business sale is one of the most important financial decisions you will make and an M&A advisor will help enable you to achieve maximum value and an optimum deal structure.
With the Brexit deal still locked in controversy and confusion, accompanied by pessimism in the press about the economic implications, it is easy to feel downhearted about investment for SMEs and the mid-market particular.
At Avondale, we, as much as anyone, understand the value of M&A in driving business growth and wider economic expansion. For small- and medium-sized companies in particular, acquisitions provide a vital avenue for growth and a key outlet when considering an exit or succession planning.
M&A is technical, so when it comes to selling a business, the focus has tended to fall purely on the “how”. Yet the most effective business conversations start with the “whys” or the “what ifs” – the personal motivations that drive a sale carry their own value and are not to be downplayed.
Big acquisitions create headlines, but lately, Avondale has observed a growing interest in smaller transactions across global M&A markets. With larger, “scale” deals failing to generate substantial returns over a long period, buyers are seeing the long-term potential lurking in the mid-market.
Britain’s SMEs are a critical driver of the economy. Now more so than ever. At a time of heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty, it’s essential that private mid-market companies continue to innovate, grow and create jobs.
Here are our six key predictions for 2018 that we believe will make an impact on the year.
Download our Strategic M&A Outlook Report to gain valuable insights into the trends and dynamics of mergers and acquisitions market.
Read how technology deals remain high in the M&A world as business owners want to stay ahead of the competitors, bringing technology in-house through acquisitions.