Selling Your Business, on Your Terms
Selling your business is a big decision. Entrepreneurs Hub helps owners of UK businesses prepare for sale, understand their options, find the right buyers and negotiate the right deal.
Sell Your Business with Experienced M&A Advisers
Whether you want to sell your business this year or in three years’ time, our experienced M&A team will guide you through every stage. How the process works, what your business could be worth and what it will cost, before you commit to anything.
Achieving a successful outcome is about more than valuation. It’s about finding the right fit, for you and your business on terms that suit you.
Proven Success in M&A for Companies with £500k-£5m+ Profit
I want to sell my business: where do I start?
Most owners who contact us fall into one of three groups:
Ready to sell now
Book a confidential consultation. We will talk through your goals, give an initial view on value and explain the route we would recommend.
Selling in one to three years
This is the best time to start. Take our Exit Readiness Assessment to see where value can be added before you go to market.
Not sure yet
Start with the Business Valuation Calculator for a guide figure, then talk to us when you are ready. There is no obligation.
How to sell your business: the six stages
Selling a business in the UK usually takes 12 to 18 months from first preparation to completion. The formal sale process, once the business is ready for market, typically takes six to nine months. Timescales vary depending on business readiness and the complexity of the transaction.
At Entrepreneurs Hub, we guide you through six key stages:
For a more detailed look at what happens at each stage, typical timescales and what to expect from preparation through to completion, read our Complete Timeline for Selling Your Business.
How much can I sell my business for?
Most UK businesses are valued as a multiple of their sustainable profit, usually adjusted EBITDA. The multiple depends on how much risk a buyer sees and how much growth they believe is achievable.
- What pushes the multiple up: recurring or contracted revenue, a broad customer base, a management team that runs the business without you, clean financial records and a clear growth plan.
- What pulls it down: reliance on one or two customers, reliance on the owner, falling profits and messy records.
Illustrative example only: a business with £1.8m adjusted EBITDA valued at 4-6x would have an enterprise value of between £7.2m and £10.8m. In practice, determining the appropriate multiple is where the real valuation work begins.
What does it cost to sell a business?
We think you should understand how our fees work before you start. Every business sale is different, so we do not publish fixed fee figures, but our structure is simple:
- Engagement fee: A monthly retainer covering preparation, sale documents, buyer research, outreach and engagement. This supports the upfront work needed to build a strong sale process from the outset.
- Success fee: A percentage of the deal value payable only when you receive funds, so our interests remain aligned with achieving the best possible outcome.
- What is included: An experienced Director-level lead adviser, dedicated buyer research, preparation of key sale documents, targeted buyer outreach and engagement, plus CFO-level financial analysis and transaction support.
- What is separate: Your solicitor and tax adviser will have their own fee structures. We can introduce trusted advisers or work alongside your existing team.
Your initial consultation is free and confidential. We will set out the fees for your business in writing before you commit to anything.
Meet the team who will help sell your business
Success Stories
What is it really like to sell your business?
For most owners, selling a business is something they will only do once. In the video below Shuretech owners, Lewis and Carl, talk about how they decided who to work with.
Hear directly from business owners who have been through the process about what surprised them, what they learned and what they valued from having experienced advisers alongside them.
What are my options for selling my business?
Every business owner’s situation is different, that’s why we help you explore the most suitable route to exit – based on your goals, timescale and best outcome for you.
We advise on a range of exit strategies:
I want to sell my business, but I’m not ready yet
You don’t need to be ready to sell before speaking to us.
In fact, some of the most valuable work happens several years before a business reaches the market.
Early preparation gives you time to reduce owner dependency, strengthen management, improve financial reporting, address customer concentration and demonstrate future growth.
Even if a sale is three to five years away, understanding what buyers are likely to value today can help you make better decisions about the business you are building.
Our Insights
FAQs – Selling Your Company
How do I sell my business in the UK?
Selling a business in the UK typically involves preparing financial information, obtaining a valuation, identifying suitable buyers and negotiating the terms of a sale. Most owners work with an M&A adviser to manage the process confidentially, approach qualified buyers and maximise the value achieved.
At Entrepreneurs Hub, we talk about five key areas that make the difference between success and failure when selling your business. Read more…
What is my business worth?
A business is typically valued by applying a multiple to its sustainable profit, often EBITDA or adjusted net profit. The appropriate multiple depends on factors including growth, recurring revenue, customer concentration, management strength, owner dependency, market conditions and buyer demand.
Determining what your business is worth involves more than applying a simple formula. Use our Business Valuation Calculator to obtain an initial valuation range, or read our simple business valuation guide to understand the factors buyers consider.
How long does it take to sell a business?
Selling a business in the UK typically takes 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to completion, although the formal sale process itself may take around 6 to 9 months once the business is ready to go to market. The exact timeframe depends on factors such as how prepared the business is, buyer demand, the complexity of the transaction, due diligence and how quickly legal and commercial terms can be agreed. Preparing financial information, contracts and other key documents in advance can help reduce delays and make the sale process more efficient. Read our complete business sale timeline to see what happens at each stage.
When is the best time to sell a business?
The best time to sell a business is usually when it is performing strongly, has clear growth potential and you are not under pressure to complete a deal. Buyers are typically more attracted to businesses with stable or rising profits, reliable financial information and credible opportunities for future growth.
You may be in a stronger position to sell when:
- Revenue and profits are growing or consistently strong.
- Financial records are accurate and up to date.
- Future growth opportunities can be clearly demonstrated.
- The business is not overly dependent on you.
- An experienced management team is in place.
- You have prepared for the sale well in advance.
Market conditions can also influence buyer appetite and valuation. Sector growth, access to finance and competition between buyers may support stronger deal activity. However, the performance and sale-readiness of your business are usually more important than trying to identify the perfect month or year to sell.
Ultimately, the right time to sell is when both you and your business are ready, and the company can demonstrate sustainable performance, manageable risk and future value to potential buyers.
Use our Exit Readiness Assessment to assess how prepared your business is.
Do I need an adviser to sell my business?
You are not legally required to use an adviser to sell your business, but many owners appoint an experienced M&A adviser to help manage the process. An adviser can prepare the business for sale, identify and approach suitable buyers confidentially, coordinate negotiations and support the transaction through due diligence.
The right adviser can also help create competitive tension, protect your time and reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. Read our guide to choosing the right business sale adviser to understand the different types of support available.
How do I prepare my business for sale?
Preparing a business for sale involves strengthening its financial performance, reducing risk and making sure it can operate successfully without heavy reliance on the owner. Buyers will also expect accurate financial records, clear contracts, organised documentation and evidence of future growth.
Preparation should ideally begin well before approaching the market, giving you time to address weaknesses that could affect value or delay the transaction. Use our Exit Readiness Tool to assess how prepared your business currently is.
How is confidentiality protected during a sale?
Confidentiality is protected through controlled information sharing, anonymised buyer approaches and non-disclosure agreements. Potential buyers usually receive limited information at the start of the process and must sign an NDA before commercially sensitive details are released.
Prospective buyers should be assessed before receiving further information, with documents shared gradually according to their level of interest and credibility. A well-managed process also allows the business owner to retain oversight of who is approached and what information is disclosed.
What documents do I need to sell my business?
The documents needed to sell a business commonly include financial accounts, management information, forecasts, customer and supplier contracts, employment records, tax information and evidence of intellectual property ownership.
Buyers may also request details of property, insurance, legal disputes, regulatory matters and company ownership. Organising this information before due diligence begins can reduce delays and help maintain buyer confidence. Our Business Sale Due Diligence Checklist explains the main information buyers are likely to request.
What’s the quickest way to sell a company?
The quickest route is usually a sale to a buyer who already knows your business, such as a competitor, a supplier or your management team, or to a buyer with funds ready. Even then, legal work and due diligence normally take two to three months. Speed usually costs money: with only one buyer at the table there is no competition on price. If timing matters, tell your adviser at the start so the process can be built around it.
Can I sell my business online?
You can list a business on an online marketplace, and for very small businesses this can work. For businesses with a value above around £2m, public listings carry risks: staff, customers and competitors may spot the sale, and the buyers who respond are rarely the best fit. A managed process that approaches selected buyers confidentially usually produces stronger offers and protects the business while it is for sale.
How can I increase the value of my business before selling?
You may be able to increase the value of your business by improving sustainable profits, developing recurring revenue and reducing reliance on individual customers or the owner. Buyers also value capable management teams, reliable financial reporting, scalable operations and clear opportunities for future growth.
The earlier you identify the factors affecting value, the more time you have to make meaningful improvements. Use our Business Valuation Calculator for an initial indication of value and our Exit Readiness Tool to identify areas that may need attention.