News

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Sometimes the motivation to get something done can result in unexpected benefits. If you own a business you may not be thinking of selling it right now. But what if the measures you took to prepare it for sale actually…

Why use a business broker to sell your business

Can a business broker enhance your business sale experience?

18th December 2020

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Let’s be realistic, there are no guarantees when selling a business. You may not be able to find a buyer, sell within a specified timeframe or achieve the price you have in mind. But just like choosing the best estate…

Letting Go of a Family Business

18th December 2020

Phil Shearing

Advice (PS), News, Phil Shearing, Selling your business

Selling your business can be a huge change in your life, especially when you’ve been running that business with relatives or if it has been in your family for generations. Selling can be the right move for both your family…

Selling a Seasonal Business

17th December 2020

Michael Wright

Advice (MW), Michael Wright, News, Selling your business

Getting the timing of your business sale right can make a significant difference to the offers you receive, but it is particularly important when your business is seasonal. Buyers may be reluctant to invest in businesses that aren’t going to…

When is the right time to sell your business?

8th December 2020

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Experience in business has value, but the longer your business is out there, the more risk you expose it to. This is why timing is critical when it comes to selling a business. Changes in Attitude and Lifestyle People’s attitude…

Are You Ready to Sell Your Business?

30th November 2020

Douglas Craig

Advice (DC), Douglas Craig, News, Selling your business

The right timing can make all the difference when you’re selling your business. It can ensure that your business is on the market when it has the best chance of selling for a high price. Getting the timing right will…

Keeping your business sale on track

28th November 2020

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Not all business sales go to plan. They take time, but if you begin to feel left out on in the cold, with a general lack of communication or activity, it’s time to get your sale back on track. In…

What Would a Capital Gains Tax Rise Mean for Business Sellers?

23rd November 2020

Simon Fraser

Advice (SF), News, Selling your business, Simon Fraser

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on everyone in 2020, but it will continue to have longer-term effects as governments look for ways to address the unexpected spending and lost income, they have faced this year. One possibility…

Ill-health and how it can impact selling a business

20th November 2020

Douglas Craig

Advice (DC), Douglas Craig, News, Selling your business

We are often asked to help businesses that have arrived at the decision to sell due to ill health. This can be due to the poor health of the owner themselves or of their close family members. It is a…

How to prepare your business to sell

14th November 2020

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

When is the right time to start thinking about leaving your business? Have you even considered it? If you have, then do you have a clear strategy in place? Would you even know how to go about realising your company’s…

Franchise role marks fresh start for experienced business broker

1st November 2020

Local news (SF), News, Regional news, Simon Fraser

Business Partnership have welcomed Simon Fraser as their regional partner for Perth, Highlands and Islands. An experienced business broker, Simon joins the franchise to build on his previous role selling businesses. Born and bred in Inverness, he has extensive local…

Knowing your business potential

27th October 2020

Case studies (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Success stories

Do you know your Growth Potential? Preparing for a sale or exit from your business might seem like the end but it’s important to realise that for whoever is taking your place, it’s the beginning. Potential buyers aren’t solely concerned…

Does your cashflow support your business sale?

3rd October 2020

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Does your business fund its own overheads? Does your cash get absorbed immediately by costs? Is your cashflow healthy? If your cashflow is unbalanced, the value and sale of your business could be compromised. When a prospective buyer is contemplating…

COVID 19 update – 11 May 2020

24th April 2020

News

Who would have thought when we set down to work on 1st March that we would find ourselves here by April. Unprecedented times for business globally. Here at Business Partnership we work with and represent businesses across all sectors, including…

Welcoming a new regional partner for Bromley, Croydon & South East London

15th January 2020

Douglas Craig, Local news (DC), News, Regional news

Douglas Craig, who ran a family business supplying high quality fresh produce to restaurants in the West End of London for 17 years, will use his experience of SMEs and providing excellent customer service to help owners achieve the best…

Why Buying a Care Home Business Is a Good Investment

27th November 2019

Advice (PD), Buying a business, News, Paul Dodgshon

Care homes are becoming an increasing necessity and will continue to be into the future. As the population ages, the demand for care homes grows. Investing in a business that provides care for this ageing population is going to reap…

Structuring Your Business Now Is Vital For Your Future Selling Potential

22nd September 2019

As you watch your business grow, it is hard to imagine letting it go someday. However, with future uncertainty, you need to be ready for the inevitable. When selling your house, a fresh coat of paint and quick renovations can…

Colin Howell, North Essex, East Hertfordshire and South Suffolk Regional Partner for Business Partnership

Colin Howell Looks East with Business Partnership

12th September 2019

Advice (CH), Colin Howell, Local news (CH), News, Regional news

Whilst the country was sunning itself (or sheltering from torrential rain), Business Partnership was opening the doors to our newest member, Colin Howell. Colin bases himself in Little Dunmow, Essex. He is now representing businesses in North Essex, East Hertfordshire…

Defining Your Business Goals Before Buying Your Dream Business

5th August 2019

If you’re thinking about buying your dream business, it’s very easy to drift away on the novelty and excitement of the whole experience. So, if you’re not careful, there’s a chance you could end up faced with the cold reality…

What effect does your work “uniform” have on business?

25th July 2019

Advice (PD), News

Should your staff be wearing a uniform at work? If you’re a health professional, airline operative, in retail, or in banking, wear overalls as a mechanic or engineer, white coats as a chemist, then uniforms are likely to be standard…

Using social media to sell your business

Using Social Media to Help Sell Your Business

12th March 2019

Social media has become a part of our everyday lives. There are not many businesses that don’t have some kind of social media presence. That’s why, when selling your business, social media can be a tempting option as a way…

The Moat That Protects Your Customers

28th February 2019

Advice (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon

Warren Buffett has a philosophy, he invests in businesses that have a moat around them. A moat that is hard for their customers to swim across and requires a large siege for a competitor to breach. Why? Because this protection allows the…

Six Steps: An Effective Strategy for Selling Your Business

30th January 2019

Selling a business you have passionately nurtured through the years can seem like a daunting task. But, just like most other issues you have encountered, when you break it down into simple bite-sized chunks it starts to look a lot…

Managing a Case to its Conclusion

14th January 2019

Advice (RD), News, Selling your business

Advice (BW), Brian Wallace, Case studies (BW), News

Back in August 2017, we received an enquiry for a business that had been on the market with ourselves only a matter of months. The enquirer, a large multi-million pound turnover business hot on an acquisition trail and keen to…

The right time to buy a business?

14th January 2019

Phil Shearing

Advice (PS), Buying a business, News

We have all seen the headlines, shops closing, major retailers scaling back or closing altogether, and when you might be considering going into business as a high street shop or café it would not be surprising if you were put…

Be Prepared – Make sure your business is self sustaining

7th November 2018

Robert Dean

Owner managers are highly motivated, talented & skilled in their particular field. However, sometimes they can overlook some very important responsibilities. Business owners have responsibilities to a huge network of people and organisations, not just limited to their staff, customers,…

Selling a Business Do’s and Don’ts

16th October 2018

If you are about to sell your business, it is important that you get it right the first time. This is because it is not something many managers and owners will do more than once. Therefore, below is a list…

How to Nurture an Existing Business

12th October 2018

You’ve found a great business with lots you can get excited about. Then your due diligence uncovers some questionable sales figures, or some debt that has not even been mentioned. You could easily walk away at that point – but…

How to add value to your business

14th September 2018

All business owners aim to add value to their business, but it can be difficult knowing where to start, particularly if you are a small to medium-sized business and feel that you are starting to plateau. However, there are in…

How to Go About Selling Your Business

4th September 2018

So, you’ve decided to sell your business. The journey can be rather complex, with several things to consider. The amount you profit will depend on the reason you’re selling, the time you decide to sell, the strength of business operations,…

How Intellectual Property Can Add Disproportionate Value to Your Business

14th August 2018

Advice (JK), News, Selling your business

Intellectual Property (IP) and other ethereal assets, such as patents and licenses, can add value to your business, just as tangible assets such as machinery do – if not more so. For one thing, IP doesn’t take up room like…

Selling A Business? Just Do The Job Properly!

31st July 2018

Advice (GT), News, Selling your business

Selling a business can be an absolute minefield, with vendors having to overcome many obstacles. First, the business owner has to very carefully analyse the reasons why they are considering selling their business, and then ultimately take the decision to…

What Business Should You Choose in 2018?

5th July 2018

Often would-be entrepreneurs are very clear where their future lies. However, sometimes, the urge to buy a business is strong but you may want to spend a little time reviewing your options before deciding which sector to choose. Following your…

Tips for buying a business.

26th June 2018

Buying a business, News

I would suggest that you ask yourself some questions before you buy a business. I don’t mean the obvious questions about your intended acquisition. It is important that during the due diligence phase of the purchase you make sure that…

Why are businesses offered for sale under “Offers Invited” and why a buyer shouldn’t be put off by this?

12th June 2018

Advice (JH), Buying a business, John Hatt, News

Firstly, larger businesses which involve the sale of shares in a limited company are generally marketed as ‘offers invited’. As it sounds offers invited listings are provided without price guidelines or ballpark figures. This allows the seller and buyer to…

Why buy an existing business?

5th June 2018

Advice (RD), News, Selling your business

Starting a business from scratch and buying an existing business both have their pros and cons. Generally, buying an existing business is less risky than starting one from scratch but there are also other benefits. Here are some of the…

Know your numbers – growth and investment for your business

29th May 2018

Robert Dean

Owner managed businesses are often innovative, creative places, thriving by responding to change and opportunity. Growing the business is a natural ambition which will require investment in assets & staff. Spending time budgeting and planning the next move are essential…

No Surprises! – Working with your Business Broker

17th May 2018

Advice (JK), Buying a business, News, Selling your business

I recently read an article regarding a business owner misrepresenting the facts when selling their business. It was regarding a dental practice that had fraudulently claimed their £400,000 turnover was derived entirely from private patients when in fact only just…

The different ways you can sell a business

10th May 2018

If you’ve spent years building a business, selling it can be a difficult decision to make. Sometimes you just can’t run it any longer, or you may simply want to move on to something new. However, even once that decision…

The Role of a Warranty in Business Purchasing

1st May 2018

When buying anything, be it a television or shares in a company, we usually carry out a certain amount of due diligence. We research the item and find out what we can about the product beforehand. However, there’s always an…

How should I prepare my business for sale?

24th April 2018

Case studies (TB), News, Selling your business, Success stories

…a commonly asked question. The best advice is that you should try to avoid waking up one morning and deciding that you just can’t do this anymore. This is the worst-case scenario, and it probably means that you are not…

Acquisition of National Autorax by Inneva Ltd

17th April 2018

Timothy Bayley

Locked Box or Completion Accounts? BP Corporate recently completed the sale of National Autorax to Inneva Ltd. National Autorax, established some 30 years ago and acquired by our Client just after the turn of the millennium offers a full design,…

Virtual Reality – the future of property letting

10th April 2018

Raymond Blin

Advice (RB), Local news (RB), News

As technology becomes ever more impressive, Virtual Reality applications are going to be increasingly used in the future to generate additional revenue streams for businesses. Properties and business lettings are already being shown in VR using 360 video technology. There now exists…

The importance of having a good team around you when selling your business

5th April 2018

When valuing a business it often feels like we are providing an education in how to sell a business and ensuring the benefits that have been gained over the years are not lost in excessive taxation or poor planning. I…

Writing a Memo of Sale

26th March 2018

The term ‘memorandum (memo) of sale’ may be familiar to anyone who’s bought or sold a property. But this is a common area of confusion. In this context, a memo of sale is a document that states both buyer and…

Top 5 Tips For Buying A Business – Business Partnership & Small Biz Experts

15th March 2018

Advice (PD), Buying a business, Local news (PD), News

This video was made in partnership with https://uk.businessesforsale.com You’re interested in buying a business. You have the capital, you know what you want, now how do you go about starting the ball rolling? Where do you begin? Paul Dodgshon, Regional…

Negotiating the best deal for the client

12th March 2018

Advice (BW), Buying a business, News, Selling your business

Finding the right business broker is a priority because selling a business can be a lengthy and difficult process, therefore, using the right team with the best negotiators is imperative. It’s important to find the right Broker that has experience…

Top 5 Tips For Selling Your Business – Business Partnership & Small Biz Experts

27th February 2018

This video was made in partnership with https://uk.businessesforsale.com It can be a tricky business (excuse the pun) to sell your company, there are nuances and procedures that no regular business owner should be expected to know. So Paul Dodgshon, Regional…

Preparing a business for sale – part 2

20th February 2018

News, Selling your business

The first article on this subject looked at the issues surrounding selling a business within a short time frame. The article offered advice as to what measures and actions a potential seller could undertake to increase the value of their…

Is NOW the time to be thinking about capitalising your future income through a business exit?

15th February 2018

Advice (JK), John Knight, News, Selling your business

A lot can happen in 12 months. That’s the average time it takes to sell a business. In recent years, qualifying business owners in the UK have been able to take advantage of an unusually generous tax break under Entrepreneurs’ Relief, where Capital…

An overnight success? Not always…

5th February 2018

Advice (GT), Local news (GT), News, Selling your business

Selling businesses can often be a difficult and lengthy process. Once we have gone through the process with our client of appraising their business and preparing it for sale, drafting and producing sales particulars and uploading it to the various…

5 Things that add value to your business

29th January 2018

Most businesses owners begin with the end in mind, and so when they set up a business, they visualise an exit plan. Creating a sustainable business model makes sense regardless of whether you’re a new start-up or if your business…

What to look for when buying a business

23rd January 2018

Buying a business doesn’t have to be an arduous task. If you know what you’re looking for, you can get the right answers to your questions to make a well-informed and profitable decision. When you are looking to buying a…

How finding a strategic buyer increases value

17th January 2018

Michael Anderson-Brown

Advice (MAB), Buying a business, Case studies (MAB), News, Success stories

There is no doubt that finding a strategic buyer is the best way to maximise the value of your business when it comes to a sale. If you can find two competing buyers then it ensures you are in the…

Business Partnership welcomes new team in Hampshire

9th January 2018

Paul Bulpitt

Local news (PB), News, Paul Bulpitt, Regional news

Business Partnership are marking the expansion of their Business Broker coverage with the addition of not one, but two additional partners in Hampshire. The husband and wife team of Paul and Maria Bulpitt have taken over as Regional Partners for…

Valuing a business, art or science?

27th December 2017

Advice (JH), News, Selling your business

‘What is my business worth?’ Good question. And you’re not the only one to ask it. My experience suggests that asking for the right price feels like more of an art than a science, and, although there are certain formulas,…

The Challenge of Starting or Buying your own Business

11th December 2017

Robert Dean

Advice (RD), Buying a business, News

Starting or buying your own business, whether it’s Industrial, Service, Innovation or the Café you’ve always dreamt of owning, is a hugely important decision. After taking that step, you are faced with opportunities, rewards, challenges & disappointments, all in equal…

Why you should never try to second-guess who your Buyer might be

26th October 2017

Advice (JK), Buying a business, News, Selling your business

I sit in many meetings with clients, potential clients and their advisers where everyone moots who might buy their business and where they might come from. True, you should always look at which buyers would make the best fit and…

Completion of your business purchase

13th October 2017

In the business world, completion can have a variety of meanings. In project financing, for example, completion is when the cash flow of the project becomes the primary source of repayment on loans. Prior to completion, a turnkey contractor or…

Who are our customers?

6th October 2017

Advice (GT), Local news (GT), News

In short, everyone! When marketing a business for sale and manoeuvring through the sale process, we encounter many different people who are involved, either in a minor or major way, with the business in question. All of these people become…

Running your own business is great!

29th September 2017

This blog is to encourage all those that have ever dreamt of running their own business to pursue their dream. It may not always be a walk in the park, but it’s likely to be the best decision you ever…

How to find the ideal small business for sale

25th September 2017

Things to consider when choosing an industry and business type Discovering exactly what you’re looking for could be the key to success when looking for the perfect small business to buy. Once you’ve identified the criteria for your ideal small…

Entrepreneurs relief

8th September 2017

Entrepreneurs Relief gives you the opportunity to reduce your Capital Gains Tax on gains stemming from the sale of things like shares, assets, leaving partnerships and LLPs, and can cut the CGT by half. If you are interested in benefitting…

Business Partnership – Why a franchise model for a new business might be perfect for you

24th August 2017

Buying a franchise offers all the benefits of running your own business without the stress and risk of starting from scratch. Looking for a low-risk way of owning your own business? Owning a franchise offers the independence of running your…

Buying a business and what you should consider

18th August 2017

Make sure you’re informed about the buying process before you begin searching for your first business to buy to get things off to a smooth start. Finding and buying the ideal business can be an arduous process if you don’t…

Tax vs Value – Why paying tax can be the best strategy

4th August 2017

Advice (PD), News

When thinking about ways to add value to your business, paying tax may not be the first thing that springs to mind – but that’s exactly what we’re going to advise you to do. As business owners ourselves we know…

Case study: Positive Environmental Ltd acquired by Busters Group

20th July 2017

Case studies (JH), News, Success stories

Positive Environmental, which provides domestic and commercial pest control services across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and the West Midlands, has been acquired by Birmingham-based Busters Group in a sale brokered by Business Partnership. Founded in 2009 and privately run by our…

Case study: Flexible Lining Products Ltd acquired by Green-Tech Ltd

20th July 2017

Case studies (JH), News, Success stories

Buying and selling a business – Business Partnership: A case study A brand leading and profitable UK-based company supplying construction and landscaping materials to the public, commercial and domestic sectors has been sold by Business Partnership Corporate to one of…

Leasing hints and tips

14th July 2017

Case studies (TB), News, Success stories

As a business broker, we are obviously working for our vendors. However, it’s never nice to see a buyer enter a business deal without taking the proper advice, especially when entering a lease agreement. Whether it’s our business vendor leasing their premises or a…

Many factors affect a business sale but occasionally it is all about location!

30th June 2017

Timothy Bayley

Russell Gorman Podiatry in Birmingham has been established for more than 30 years and, at the ripe old age of 83, it was time for our clients to hang up the nail clippers for the last time and enjoy the…

Preparing a business for sale – Part 1

23rd June 2017

Often when meeting new clients for a potential business sale the first question I am asked is ‘What can I do to increase the value of my business?’ The answer is dependent upon the timescale for the sale. The suggestions…

How to purchase your own business

16th June 2017

In recent years entrepreneurs have increasingly come to see the numerous benefits of purchasing a preexisting business as opposed to creating a startup. It can make the overall process a lot quicker and easier, but that is not to suggest…

Unusual reasons why some business sales break down

12th June 2017

“You cannot be serious!” These are the words proclaimed by the Business Partnership team when a business sale breaks down unexpectedly, and sometimes for bizarre reasons. Buying and selling businesses is a complex and often lengthy process. So it’s comforting…

5 Great ways to add value to your business

9th June 2017

Advice (JK), News, Selling your business

1) Repeat after me: Repeat business adds value to my business. Acquirers like nothing more in a business than customers who keep coming back for more. And if they have to come back to buy from you because they’re contracted…

The pitfalls of buying a business

2nd June 2017

Many people grow up dreaming of owning their own business and believing that being their own boss will lead to a better life, but this isn’t always the case. Most entrepreneurs in recent years have been venturing into acquiring businesses…

A sale with many layers

26th May 2017

Advice (GT), News, Selling your business

This was a particularly complicated yet hugely successful story. Completed in summer 2015, this was an extremely unusual and diverse business for which we had to a) find a buyer, and b) walk them through the business purchase process from…

Re: Sale of Sonic Services Limited and Sonic Door Services Limited.

19th May 2017

Alistair Glaze

Case studies (AG), News, Selling your business, Success stories

The business started trading in 1994 as a contract manufacturer of UPVC doors and windows, their core market being the manufacture and supply of UPVC windows and doors into the very demanding and high specification public and housing association sectors.…

5 Great reasons to buy your own business

12th May 2017

Everyone wants to be their own boss; living life on their own terms, choosing their own hours and pursuing a career they love. The obvious route to this for most people is to start their own business but as with…

Is it a good time in your life to sell your business?

5th May 2017

Despite the fears that Brexit would completely demolish the British economy, the current outlook is surprisingly positive and arguably now is the perfect time to sell your business. Over the past couple of years, the sale value of businesses across…

Selling a small/medium sized business: What questions to expect

27th April 2017

If you are planning on selling your business you need to be prepared for a lot of questions from potential acquirers. It is important for them to understand every single aspect of your business, even things that you think are…

How to become an entrepreneur

19th April 2017

As anyone who’s ever done it will be able to tell you, starting a business is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. The rush of energy as you start trading and the sense of satisfaction as…

Time to break free

5th April 2017

Times are hard for employees and they have been for a number of years. It’s a difficult decade for the ambitious career-builder, particularly those in the hard-hit public sector. Our jobs become ever more uncertain, yet simultaneously our bosses are…

Frightened of starting a business?

30th March 2017

News

You’ve always wanted to run a coffee shop or a dog-grooming parlour. It’s the only dream you ever had. Many of us have a hobby or a skill that we think we should be able to use to earn a…

Time to hang up your boots

23rd March 2017

Advice (PD), Local news (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon

Retirement comes to us all. Even if you’re not working in an occupation with a fixed retirement date, there will come a day when you just don’t have the energy to keep going anymore. You want to shed the pressure…

Planning to sell

10th March 2017

Advice (PD), Case studies (PD), Local news (PD), News, Paul Dodgshon, Selling your business

Why do you want to sell your business? The biggest question you’ll get asked when selling a business is ‘why do you want to sell? Whilst it is a seemingly simple question if you don’t have a concise and comprehensive…

Is your business ready to sell?

24th February 2017

Advice (TB), Case studies (TB), Local news (TB), News, Tim Bayley

Just as with selling a house you want to make sure that every aspect of your business is appealing from the indoor and outdoor aesthetics to its location. The things you first see when looking at your business are exactly…

How to protect your business

17th February 2017

News

Protecting your business from the competition allows you security in the market and gives you better control of your pricing. It is a lot harder for smaller businesses to find ways to create this barrier so they have to be…

How to increase your Business Value

9th February 2017

Depending on what industry you are in, the value of your company will undoubtedly vary. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of the key areas you should be concentrating on as a business owner to ensure that…

Time for a fresh start

2nd February 2017

When we keep doing the same thing year on year, it’s bound to get a little boring. For those of us with the sort of drive and creativity to start a new business, it can be especially so. You’ve done…

Is it time to Buy a Business?

27th January 2017

Buying a business

It’s the season when we want to make changes in our lives. New Year has gone, and we’re back to the boring paper pushing for ungrateful managers. It’s been driving you mad for ages, but now you’re at the beginning…

Selling your company: What you should look out for

19th January 2017

Alistair Glaze

When it comes to selling your business you should be prepared for what may feel like an overly intrusive process. Potential acquirers will want to probe your business top to bottom, understanding every inch of what they would be purchasing.…

Ways to attract buyers when selling your business

13th January 2017

In the past, a smaller business looking to sell usually would have to go looking for potential buyers and subsequently be heavily driven down on the price. However, as a result of the current market, it has never been easier…

How to increase your company value

5th January 2017

Advice (AG), Alistair Glaze, Buying a business, Selling your business

Before starting the process of selling your company it is only natural for you to want to as much as possible. If you are able to successfully take the necessary steps in doing so you will likely be selling your…

The true value of an independent valuation

15th July 2016

Alistair Glaze

Located throughout the UK, Business Partnership’s experienced regional partners all offer an important service to business buyers and sellers alike – valuation. It’s a straightforward enough process, you may think. After all, our over-riding objective is to provide impartial, professional…

Familiar face joins Business Partnership board

8th July 2016