Exit Strategy Companies in the UK: Guide to Advisory Firms
AC
Acumon Chartered Accountants·16 min read
Exiting a business is one of the most significant decisions an owner can make. Whether the objective is a sale, succession, management buyout or private equity investment, a well-planned exit strategy can help maximise value while reducing disruption throughout the process.
The UK is home to a broad range of firms offering exit strategy services, from corporate finance advisers and chartered accountants to specialist business consultants. While their approaches vary, many combine financial, tax and strategic expertise to help business owners prepare for a successful transition.
This guide highlights a selection of firms providing exit strategy services across the UK. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to offer practical context, explaining the types of organisations they support, the services they typically provide and the areas where their expertise may be most relevant. Understanding these differences can help business owners identify an adviser whose experience aligns with their goals, timeline and the complexity of their exit.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and advisors providing exit strategy services to business owners and organisations across the UK.
The firm works with owner-managed businesses, growing companies, corporate groups and shareholders considering future business transitions. Exit strategy services are designed to help organisations plan for ownership changes, maximise business value and manage the financial, tax and commercial aspects of an exit.
Acumon provides exit strategy services as part of its wider accounting, tax and advisory offering. The firm supports clients with financial planning, business valuations, tax planning, financial reporting and transaction readiness, helping business owners prepare for successful ownership transitions.
Acumon holds a Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence, enabling the firm to support organisations subject to enhanced regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom. In addition to its UK statutory audit registration, the firm also maintains audit licences in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Jersey and Isle of Man. These licences enable the firm to support organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Planning an exit is an important stage in the lifecycle of many businesses. Professional advice can help business owners prepare for future opportunities, understand the financial and tax implications of different exit options and ensure that the business is well positioned for transition.
Acumon works with business owners, shareholders, directors and management teams to support exit planning while helping organisations strengthen financial reporting, governance arrangements and strategic decision-making.
Exit Strategy Capabilities
Acumon provides exit strategy services across a wide range of organisational structures and sectors.
These include:
UK companies and corporate groups
owner-managed businesses and growing companies
UK subsidiaries of international groups
regulated organisations
organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions
established businesses preparing for ownership transition
Exit strategy engagements are typically led by experienced professionals with direct involvement throughout the engagement.
Regulatory Licences and Registrations
Acumon holds several audit registrations that enable it to support organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions.
These include:
UK statutory audit registration
Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence
Jersey audit licence
Isle of Man audit licence
Cayman Islands audit licence
British Virgin Islands audit licence
These registrations allow the firm to support organisations operating across both the UK and key international financial centres.
Core Services
In addition to exit strategy services, Acumon provides a range of accounting, tax and advisory services.
These include:
business valuation and transaction readiness
statutory external audit
group and subsidiary audits
Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits
charity and not-for-profit audit
internal audit and governance reviews
risk management and compliance support
Exit strategy work is often delivered alongside discussions with management regarding business performance, financial reporting, tax planning and long-term strategic objectives.
Many organisations seek exit strategy support as ownership objectives evolve, succession plans develop and businesses prepare for future transactions or leadership changes.
Acumon works with organisations that are:
managing financial and tax obligations
strengthening governance and internal processes
supporting business growth
improving financial reporting
operating across multiple jurisdictions
responding to changing regulatory requirements
Early engagement can help ensure that financial reporting, tax planning and business preparedness remain aligned with the organisation's long-term objectives and chosen exit strategy.
Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
Phone: 020 8567 3451
Sigma Chartered Accountants
Sigma Charterяd Accountants focus on helping SME owners prepare for one of the biggest stages in the life of a business - its exit. Their approach looks beyond the transaction itself by considering business value, tax implications and the owner's long-term financial goals before any decision is made. Exit planning forms part of a wider accounting and tax advisory service, allowing financial and strategic considerations to be reviewed together.
Different exit routes are explored depending on the circumstances of the business, including management buyouts, family succession, mergers and third-party sales. The planning process also covers business readiness, tax structuring and post-exit wealth planning, helping owners understand the practical steps involved before a transition takes place.
Key Highlights
Focus on exit planning for SME owners
Business valuation and exit readiness reviews
Tax planning linked to business exits
Support for succession and ownership transitions
Advice covering post-exit wealth planning
Exit planning delivered within wider accounting and tax services
THP approach business exists from both a financial and practical perspective, helping business owners plan for retirement, ownership changes or future investment opportunities. Their exit planning service is built around understanding the business before identifying suitable options, with valuation and financial preparation forming part of the process.
Every exit follows different circumstances, so the planning may involve preparing the business for a sale, supporting a management buyout or arranging a family transition. Alongside exit planning, they assist with the financial information and documentation that potential buyers or investors are likely to expect during negotiations.
Key Highlights
Exit planning for different ownership scenarios
Independent business evaluation
Business valuation services
Preparation for business sales and management buyouts
Support with buyer documentation
Corporate finance and tax services available alongside exit planning
WR Partners support business owners who are planning the next stage after ownership, whether that involves selling a company, passing it to family members or exploring a merger. Exit planning is closely linked with succession planning and tax advice, giving clients a clearer picture of how different decisions may affect both the business and personal finances.
Tax forms an important part of the process, particularly when preparing for a business sale. Their advisers look at available reliefs, ownership structures and future plans so that financial decisions can be considered before negotiations begin. This sits alongside broader business advisory and corporate finance services where required.
Key Highlights
Exit and succession planning for business owners
Tax planning for business sales
Advice on ownership transitions
Support with mergers and business sales
Business strategy and corporate finance expertise
Exit planning integrated with wider tax advisory services
Address: Unit 10, St Giles Business Park, Newtown, SY16 3AJ
Phone: 08083 030 337
Gravitate
Gravitate centre their exit planning service on preparing business owners well before a transaction takes place. The focus is on making the business ready for sale or succession while addressing tax matters that could affect the final outcome. Their approach covers different exit routes, including trade sales, management buyouts and family succession, with planning tailored to the circumstances of each business.
Tax planning runs alongside the wider exit process, covering ownership structures, capital gains considerations and transaction readiness. Corporate finance support is available within the same service, allowing business owners to look at valuation, deal structure and negotiations while keeping financial and tax planning aligned.
Address: Unit 13E, 92 Burton Road, Neepsend, Sheffield, S3 8BX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 114 321 7459
Perrys Accountants
Perrys Accountants include exit strategy planning as part of their wider accounting and tax advisory services for businesses. Their support is aimed at owners preparing for a future transition, with attention given to financial planning and tax considerations before an exit takes place. The service is available alongside broader business and legal advisory work, allowing different aspects of the process to be considered together.
Business exits often involve more than completing a sale, particularly when succession, ownership changes or tax planning are involved. Their advisers help business owners review available options and prepare for the next stage with a structured approach that fits their long-term plans.
Key Highlights
Exit planning for business owners
Tax and accounting support linked to business exits
Advice on succession and ownership changes
Corporate and personal tax expertise
Business advisory services available alongside exit planning
Accounts and Legal encourage business owners to think about an exit long before a sale is expected. Exit planning is treated as an ongoing process that combines business strategy with tax planning, helping owners understand how decisions made today may influence future outcomes. Early preparation is a consistent part of their approach, particularly where tax efficiency and succession are concerned.
Each plan takes into account the owner's circumstances, the structure of the business and the intended exit route. Alongside tax advice, they consider business value, compliance and succession planning so that owners have a clearer view of the steps involved before moving towards a sale or transfer.
Key Highlights
Long-term approach to exit planning
Tax planning for business sales
Succession planning support
Business strategy linked to future exits
Advice on Business Asset Disposal Relief
Exit planning integrated with accounting and legal services
Services
Exit strategy planning
Succession planning
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) planning
Tax planning for business exits
Business valuation guidance
Business strategy advice
Compliance support during exit
Ownership transition planning
Contact Information
Website: accountsandlegal.co.uk
Address: The Hop Exchange, 24 Southwark Street, South Bank, London, SE1 1TY
Phone: 020 7043 4000
O'Connor Associates
O'Connor Associates look at exit planning as part of wider financial leadership for growing businesses. They encourage business owners to think about an eventual exit from an early stage, using long-term financial planning to shape decisions as the business develops. The aim is to build a stronger business over time while keeping future ownership changes in mind.
Exit strategy planning is delivered alongside Fractional CFO services, giving business owners ongoing financial support before an exit becomes a realistic option. This allows value creation, financial controls and business performance to develop together, making future transitions easier to manage when the time comes.
Key Highlights
Exit planning linked with Fractional CFO support
Long-term financial planning for business owners
Focus on business value and exit readiness
Financial strategy aligned with future ownership changes
Support for growing businesses
Exit planning integrated with wider finance leadership
Address: Maple Works, 73 Maple Road, Surbiton, KT6 4AG
Phone: 020 8064 1545
Menzies LLP
Menzies LLP views exit planning as part of the wider process of preparing a business for a change in ownership or leadership. Their approach connects business exits with succession planning, helping owners think about what happens after they step away and how the business can continue to operate with minimal disruption. The focus extends beyond the transaction itself to the long-term stability of the organisation.
An exit may involve a disposal, a management buyout or another ownership structure, depending on the circumstances of the business. Alongside strategic planning, they bring together deal advisory, business valuations and corporate finance services so financial, commercial and succession considerations can be reviewed as part of the same process.
Key Highlights
Exit planning linked with succession planning
Support for ownership and leadership transitions
Deal advisory for business exits
Business valuation services
Management buyout advisory
Corporate finance expertise within the exit process
Saffery approaches business exits from the perspective that every owner's goals are different. Their planning considers personal objectives alongside the future of the business, recognising that retirement, succession, investment or a complete sale each bring different financial and practical questions. The exit route is shaped around those individual circumstances rather than following a fixed model.
Preparing for a transaction includes reviewing the business from a buyer's point of view. Financial reporting, internal controls, tax matters, business structure and succession arrangements all form part of the planning process. Employee ownership trusts, third-party sales and investment options are among the routes considered where they fit the owner's plans.
Address: Midland House, 2 Poole Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5QY, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1202 204744
S&W
S&W places considerable emphasis on planning several years before a business is expected to change hands. Exit planning begins with understanding what the owner wants to achieve, followed by reviewing the available options and the tax implications attached to each route. Future financial needs and long-term personal plans are treated as part of the conversation alongside the business itself.
Attention is given to making the business ready for potential buyers by reviewing its structure, financial performance and internal processes. Their teams combine corporate finance, tax and consulting services to help owners prepare for a sale, improve business readiness and address issues that could affect negotiations or valuation.
Key Highlights
Long-term exit planning for business owners
Business readiness assessments
Tax and restructuring advice
Corporate finance support
Vendor due diligence services
Business valuation expertise
Services
Exit strategy planning
Business valuation
Vendor due diligence
Business restructuring
Tax reviews before sale
Corporate finance advisory
Sale preparation
Exit readiness planning
Contact Information
Website: www.swgroup.com
Twitter: x.com/S_W_Group
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/swgroupuk
Address: 45 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BG
Phone: +44(0)204 617 55 00
Hawsons
Hawsons treat exit planning as a structured process that starts well before a business changes hands. Their advisers look at both the owner's personal objectives and the commercial position of the business, helping identify what needs attention before an exit becomes realistic. Financial planning, succession and tax considerations are reviewed alongside the overall condition of the business.
Looking at the company through the eyes of a potential buyer is an important part of their approach. This helps identify areas that may influence value or make the business more attractive during a sale. Beyond financial matters, they consider operational processes, management, legal issues and business performance as part of a broader exit plan.
ABM Chartered Accountants encourage business owners to begin planning their exit well before a sale is expected. Their service combines tax planning with practical preparation, helping owners understand how different exit routes may affect both the business and the proceeds they receive. The process covers sales, succession, employee ownership and company closure where appropriate.
Preparation continues beyond choosing an exit route. Financial records, business valuation, tax reliefs and transaction planning all form part of the work carried out before negotiations begin. They also include post-sale tax considerations so owners can plan for the period after the business has been transferred.
Address: Suite 3G/H, 10 Tiller Rd, Canary Wharf Estate, London E14 8PX, UK
Phone: +44 (0) 771 827 7546
Xeinadin
Xeinadin include exit planning within their wider corporate finance services, supporting business owners who are preparing for a change in ownership. Their approach considers the financial and commercial aspects of an exit, helping businesses plan for a transition while keeping long-term objectives in view.
Corporate finance advice is available throughout the process, covering business growth, acquisitions and exits as connected stages in a company's development. This allows owners to review their options before making decisions about the timing and structure of a future sale or transfer.
Address: Level 5A, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7383 3200
Kirk Rice
Kirk Rice helps business owners explore different ways of leaving a business, with planning that starts long before a transaction takes place. Their advisers consider personal circumstances, business performance and market conditions when reviewing the available options. The aim is to help owners understand which route fits their situation before moving towards a sale or succession.
Different ownership transitions are covered, including third-party sales, management buyouts and Employee Ownership Trusts. Preparation for buyer due diligence, business valuation and tax planning all form part of the process, giving owners a clearer picture of what needs to be in place before negotiations begin.
Planning a business exit is rarely just about finding a buyer. It often involves understanding the value of the business, considering tax implications, deciding on the most suitable exit route and preparing the company for a smooth transition. Because every business is different, the right adviser will depend on the owner's goals, the stage of the business and the type of exit being considered.
Many organisations look for advisers who can combine financial, tax and strategic guidance throughout the process. Experience with business valuations, succession planning, corporate finance and transaction support can also be important, depending on the complexity of the exit.
The firms featured in this guide offer different approaches to exit strategy services in the UK. Some focus primarily on tax planning, while others bring together corporate finance, valuations and succession advice. Comparing their services, areas of expertise and approach to planning can help business owners identify the support that best matches their circumstances and long-term objectives.
AC
Written by the Acumon team
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors
based in London, with offices in Pitstone, Aylesbury and Bournemouth. Need advice on
anything covered here? Talk to us.
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An internal audit function must be assessed by a qualified, independent assessor at least once every five years. That requirement is Standard 8.4 of the Global Internal Audit Standards, which…
An internal audit function must be assessed by a qualified, independent assessor at least once every five years. That requirement is Standard 8.4 of the Global Internal Audit Standards, which…
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