What do Warren Buffet, Idris Elba and long jump have in common? In the first of a new series of posts, we get to know one of our Regional Partners. Geoff Kwateng supports business sales and purchases across Crawley, Guildford and Reigate and the surrounding areas. He reflects on his personal and professional highlights since joining Business Partnership, and the best piece of advice he’s ever been given.

Meet the team and find your local business broker

It’s been 18 months since you joined Business Partnership. How is life as a business broker?

Very positive. I joined when there was a lot of uncertainty in the market thanks to legislation changes that came into force in April. At the time, buyers and lenders were ultra cautious. I took the opportunity to join local networks to build my profile and raise awareness of the Business Partnership brand.

Thankfully, there were no more big changes announced in the Autumn 2025 Budget. Buyer confidence returned, and the market picked up. Since then, it’s been very busy, and I currently have four business sales in progress, with offers on the table for all of them.

What’s been your highlight so far?

Getting my first business sale under my belt was a big milestone. I supported the sale of a storage and removals business, using the strength of the Business Partnership network to find a buyer. I’m also proud to have offers coming in for all four businesses I am currently working with.

How have you developed since joining Business Partnership?

I am someone who is always learning – through research, sharing ideas and asking for opinions – so I have found our Partner meetings so valuable. It’s a great place to get new ideas and ask for feedback. The best thing about Business Partnership is that you run your own business, but there’s always this brilliant network of minds to call on. I’ve worked on building local connections – both online and through networking. I enjoy attending tailored events focused on accounting, finance and wealth management.

Has anything surprised you over the last year?

Yes, the amount of people I meet who are unaware people like us exist! It’s been a real eye-opener and a good opportunity to raise my profile and awareness of what Business Partnership does. I am now the go-to person for brokering business sales in several local networks!

From a client perspective, what are the benefits of choosing Business Partnership over one of the big brokerage firms?

I would say there are five big benefits:

1. We are relationship based – we get to know you, your business, and what you want to achieve from a sale or purchase.
2. Local knowledge – we know the area your business operates because we live and work there.
3. Simple structure – you deal directly with a partner, not an office junior.
4. Massive network – covering all sizes and sectors of business, enabling access to a large pool of buyers.
5. Whole of market coverage – larger firms tend to operate in niches above a certain level and size.

If you could change one thing about selling businesses in the UK, what would it be?

Preparing to sell. I would raise awareness that there are people out there who can help you get everything in order and prepare to sell your business. It’s incredible how many owners think they can sell without putting in the groundwork. I like to think of preparing to sell as washing your car before you sell it!

Do you have a message for anyone considering joining Business Partnership?

It’s an ideal fit for anyone experienced in business development or consultancy. If you have a sound understanding of how the market works and are good at building relationships, joining the network is a great opportunity to build on that knowledge and develop your own business.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

When I’m not working, you’ll find me in the gym, listening to music or watching sports. Athletics and football are my favourite sports to watch.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which would you choose?

Long jump. I enjoyed competing as a child and reached a pretty decent level.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Focus on what you’re good at and let the experts deal with the rest. Someone shared this with me in the last year, and since I took their advice, my business has really taken off.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Idris Elba. He needs no introduction!

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would you choose?

The CEO of Red Lobster, Damola Adamolekum. We’re the same age, and I would love to hear his story.

Warren Buffet – a fascinating man I could learn a lot from about finance and investing.

Michael Jackson – I’ve always been a huge fan of his music.

Get in touch with Geoff

If you own a business in a GU or RH postcode and are planning to sell, working with Geoff could provide the impetus and support you need to achieve your plans. Get in touch to start the conversation.

Business Partnership is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with The Value Builder System™, a leading global methodology for assessing and improving the value of privately owned businesses. This collaboration brings together Business Partnership’s proven expertise in business sales, valuations, and exit planning with The Value Builder System’s evidence-based approach to helping owners increasing the value of their companies ahead of sale or succession.

Through this partnership, Business Partnership’s clients will benefit from The Value Builder System’s eight key drivers of value, providing a clear, structured process to increase attractiveness to buyers and deliver stronger outcomes at exit. With seven Accredited Value Guides across the UK, our nationwide team is uniquely placed to combine local market knowledge with a globally recognised framework.

Paul Dodgshon, Managing Director and Accredited Value Guide^TM commented:

Business Partnership’s mission has always been to help business owners secure the best possible result when selling. This partnership strengthens that mission by giving us a proven, consistent, and highly practical approach that works in any sector.

John Warrillow, Founder of The Value Builder System^TM and Built To Sell explains:

At the core of The Value Builder System^TM is a simple but powerful principle: businesses that are designed to run without their owners, built around repeatable systems, not singular personalities, are the ones that truly deliver value. Partnering with Business Partnership means more UK business owners can access this framework through advisors who understand both the local market and the real drivers of long-term value. In this partnership we can give owners the clarity, resilience, and details the choices they need to make to deliver the best possible outcome when it’s time to move on.

This alliance reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to providing business owners with trusted, transparent, and results-driven advice ensuring they can plan their next chapter with confidence.

Geoff Kwateng, Partner, Guilford Office and Accredited Value Guide^TM further commented:

The Value Builder framework gives our clients real clarity. It identifies exactly where their business excels, where it needs attention, and how to make it more valuable in the eyes of a buyer.

About Business Partnership

Business Partnership is one of the UK’s most experienced independent business broker. Our nationwide network of Regional Partners gives us real presence on the ground, reaching locations others don’t.  This local knowledge, backed by partner insight means we deliver trusted advice and proven results. Find your Accredited Value Guides^TM here.

About The Value Builder System^TM

The Value Builder System^TM is a scientifically proven methodology that helps you increase the value of your business by focusing on the 8 key drivers that are proven to impact the value of your company. This system offers an assessment to baseline the sellability of a business and provides a framework to improve its value, ultimately creating a more resilient and profitable company. Find our more here.