Purpose:
To achieve a successful exit without damaging clients, staff, or your reputation.

Step-by-step:

  1. Understand what buyers really buy
    Buyers pay for recurring income, adviser continuity, and low regulatory risk. They rarely pay for brand or effort.

  2. Reduce key-person risk
    Over-reliance on one principal suppresses a firms value. Start delegating early.

  3. Stabilise clients before sale
    Client movement during or post a transaction is the fastest way to lose value.

  4. Choose the right buyer type
    Consolidator, independent, or strategic buyer each brings different trade-offs. Do your diligence.

  5. Negotiate beyond headline price
    Earn-outs, deferred consideration, and post-deal control matter more than headline multiples.

Key principle:
A good IFA or wealth management sale is 95% organisation 5% inspiration.

Power in Knowing