Ideally, several years before you expect to sell or step back. Early planning gives you more time to consider the structure of the business, improve its sale readiness and explore potential tax, pension and succession opportunities.

Yes. Exit planning is really about creating options. Decisions around ownership, funding, governance, pensions and business structure can all affect what you are able to do later, even if a sale is many years away.

Think about your business the way a buyer eventually will. A track record of solid earnings, clear financial reporting, well-run governance, a capable team that isn’t reliant on you personally, and properly documented contracts all help build confidence — and reduce the chance of surprises coming up during due diligence.

Depending on your business and objectives, options could include a trade sale, family succession, management buyout, private equity transaction, partial sale, refinancing or merger. We can help you consider the financial and personal implications of the alternatives.

The right structure will depend on your circumstances and the transaction. A share sale and an asset sale can have very different implications for the company, buyer and seller, so this should be considered carefully alongside appropriate legal and tax advice.

The way your company and personal finances are structured before a transaction can affect the eventual outcome. Potential considerations can include how proceeds are received, pension funding and the availability of relevant tax reliefs, subject to your circumstances and prevailing rules.

If you intend to pass the business to family, succession planning becomes a central part of the exit strategy. It can include future ownership, governance, preparing the next generation, funding your own lifestyle and ensuring your wider family wealth is structured appropriately.

There are a number of ways business owners may be able to extract and structure wealth over time. The right approach depends on your company, remuneration, pensions, tax position, personal needs and eventual exit plans. Starting the conversation early can give you more options.

That depends on what you want your wealth to achieve. You may need to provide an income, hold cash for future commitments, invest for long-term growth, support family members, make gifts or fund future ventures. We can help you build a strategy around those objectives.

Not necessarily. After a major liquidity event, taking a considered approach can be valuable. We can help you establish how much liquidity you need, your investment objectives and risk appetite before deciding how and when capital should be invested.

Start with what you want life to look like, rather than simply what you want to do with the money. Understanding your future spending, family commitments, ambitions and legacy can help turn the proceeds of a transaction into a clear long-term financial plan.