My Process
Selling your UK SME? My direct acquisition process offers a streamlined path to exit—no broker fees, faster timeline, and maximum confidentiality. Here's exactly how it works.
The Direct Sale Process
A straightforward, 6-step approach designed to close in 30-90 days with minimal hassle
Use my free valuation calculator to get an instant estimate based on your industry, revenue, and EBITDA. This gives you a baseline to compare against any formal offer.
Complete my inquiry form with your company basics, financial snapshot, and why you're selling. The more detail, the faster I can respond.
Within 7-14 days, if your business fits my criteria, I'll send an indicative offer—a non-binding valuation range. If it's not a fit, I'll provide honest feedback and suggest alternatives.
Note: This is a preliminary offer based on your initial information. The final offer comes after due diligence.
If you accept my preliminary offer, I move to due diligence. I'll sign an NDA and request detailed documentation to verify financials, customer contracts, employee details, and assets.
After due diligence, I'll present a binding Letter of Intent with purchase price, payment terms, transition support, and closing timeline. While I try to make my best offer upfront, I'm open to discussion on structure and timing.
Once you accept my offer, solicitors draft the Sale and Purchase Agreement, handle final details, and coordinate completion day—when documents are signed, payment transfers, and ownership changes hands.
Completion Day
Payment transferred, business transferred, deal done
✓ Direct Sale Makes Sense When:
- You want to close quickly (within 2-3 months)
- You prefer maximum confidentiality (not marketing publicly)
- You'd rather keep 100% of the sale price vs. paying 3-10% commission
- You value certainty over potentially squeezing the last pound
- Your business is £250k-£2M (sweet spot for direct sales)
→ Consider Partners Below If:
- You want to test the market with multiple buyers bidding
- Your business is £2M+ or highly complex
- You have 6-18 months to wait for the right buyer
- You want professional marketing and buyer outreach
- You need institutional buyers or complex deal structuring
Need a Different Approach?
If a direct sale doesn't fit your needs, I work with trusted partners who can help. Whether you need broader market exposure or sophisticated deal structuring, here are your options.
✓ Pros:
- • Market to multiple buyers simultaneously
- • Professional marketing materials & campaigns
- • Negotiation support throughout process
- • Access to established buyer networks
✗ Cons:
- • 3-10% commission (£30k-£500k on £5M sale)
- • 6-18 months typical timeline
- • No guarantee of sale
- • Less confidentiality (public marketing)
✓ Pros:
- • Access to institutional & international buyers
- • Complex deal structuring (MBOs, PE, earn-outs)
- • Due diligence coordination across advisors
- • Auction processes for maximum value
✗ Cons:
- • 2-5% fee (£100k-£250k on £5M sale)
- • 9-18 months typical timeline
- • Higher complexity & requirements
- • Only suitable for larger, profitable businesses
| Dimension | Business Broker | Corporate Finance Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Client | Small business owners (£100k–£5M turnover) | Mid-market companies (£5M–£200M+ turnover) |
| Primary Role | Match buyer & seller | Structure, negotiate, and fund complex transactions |
| Typical Deal Type | Asset sale or share sale to individual/small trade buyer | MBOs, MBIs, PE exits, mergers, recapitalisations, growth capital |
| Approach | Sales-oriented ("list and sell") | Advisory-oriented ("analyse, structure, optimise") |
| Fee Structure | Success fee (commission %, usually 3–10%) | Retainer + success fee (1–3% for larger deals) |
| Valuation Basis | Market comparables or rule-of-thumb multiples | DCF, adjusted EBITDA, normalisations, synergy analysis |
| Buyers | Local entrepreneurs, trade buyers, small investors | Institutional buyers, PE, family offices, corporates |
| Regulation / Background | Often unregulated, sales background | FCA-authorised, accountancy, banking, or investment background |
Quick Comparison: All Routes
| Direct Sale | Business Broker | Corporate Finance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Timeline | 30-90 days | 6-18 months | 9-18 months |
| Cost (on £1M sale) | £0 | £30k-£100k | N/A (too small) |
| Cost (on £5M sale) | £0 | £150k-£500k | £100k-£250k |
| Your Time Required | Low | Medium | Medium-High |
| Certainty of Close | High | Medium | Medium |
| Best For | £250k-£2M, speed priority | £100k-£5M, market testing | £5M+, complex deals |
Ready to Explore Your Options?
I'm actively acquiring UK SMEs across multiple sectors—and I can also introduce you to trusted partners for broker or corporate finance routes if that's a better fit. Start with a free valuation to understand your options.
Or learn more about me and my acquisition approach