Ensure your business is positioned to achieve the best exit for you


There will come a time when you need to think about the next steps for you and your business. Whether this is because of a personal desire to take a step back, or because it’s a prime time to sell, you’ll want to know how to achieve the best possible exit.

You may be ready to exit through sale, management buy-out or stock market flotation. Or you may want to keep your business in the family and carry out succession planning. Whichever route you choose, handing over your company can be difficult.

Avonglen will help you understand how your business will be viewed from an external perspective and will assist in the preparation your business for the most appropriate exit/handover strategy.

What we can help with....

Succession planning

We have worked with several family-owned businesses that have undergone generational change. In our experience, handing a business over from one generation to another is a surprisingly difficult process. The older generation can find it difficult to let go, whilst the younger generation can struggle to make their mark, when they have the previous Chief Executive sitting round the board room table. Tough conversations are often avoided in a family situation.

An experienced external advisor can be very helpful in this process to provide an interface between the generations, to provide guidance to the next generation without being seen as the ‘critical parent’.

We’ll support you to look past the emotional decisions and come up with a plan that will work for everyone, including considerations of equity structure, tax planning and balancing the income and wealth of both generations

Management buy-out

Selling your business to your existing management team has many benefits, not least of which is that they will have in-depth knowledge of the business already, an emotional attachment and a desire to maintain (or even exceed) its current success.

Whether you are the management team looking to buy or the proprietor looking to sell, we can assist in the preparation and delivery of the process; from preparing the business to advising on valuation and funding options.

Trade sale

We at Avonglen have bought and sold many businesses as part of the incumbent management team. We are familiar with the process and know how to prepare a business for sale in order to achieve the best possible outcome whether you are looking to maximise the sale price or ensure the long-term continuation of the business you have built.

We can help you select the right corporate finance and legal advisors. We will assist you throughout the process to ensure that all of the materials required during the due diligence process are available and provided promptly. We’ll be by your side when that crunch negotiating point comes and, in our experience, there always is one.

Public listing

If you’re an ambitious business looking to grow, an initial public offering (IPO) could support you in raising the capital you need to expand, but it’s a daunting process, and is both time-consuming and complex.

We have led the listing of a company on the main market of the London Stock Exchange so we can offer advice from a position of knowledge and experience. However, we would only recommend it in exceptional circumstances.

We have been so impressed by Lynne and the Avonglen team since they took over our accounts. We know that no stone is left unturned and every possible action to help our company has been taken. They have expertise in all areas and we cannot fault their commitment to our business.

Amanda House
RHH Franks Ltd

I have been using the services of Avonglen, and Tim and William in particular, since I started my business in 2004. From a one-man band to a business with several offices throughout the South, they have guided me at every step of the way as my business has grown. Their practical help as well as their strategic guidance have ensured that the decisions I’ve made have been well thought through. Their input at every stage, from their preparation and analysis of my management MI to my application for SEED/EIS status, has been invaluable.

Duncan Revolta
One Pension Consultancy

Hobbs Rehabilitation has grown in size and complexity over 12 years without a designated financial lead. The founders were finding it increasingly difficult to keep on top of all of the demands of a growing business especially in the area of finance. The engagement with Tim from Avonglen has allowed them to delegate the key financial tasks and freed them up to focus on planning the future growth of the company. Tim has assisted with strategic advice, budgeting, financial reporting, re-structuring the Hobbs group of and in negotiations with key partners. This has helped us to realise new avenues for growth and reduce key risks in the business. He is a good listener and always offers valuable advice.

Helen Hobbs
Hobbs Rehabilitation

Explore more

    1. Ambitious icon

      Ambitious scale-up

    2. Growing Expanding icon

      Growth & expansion

    3. Change icon

      Improving clarity & insight

    4. Exit icon

      Managing change

    5. Review icon

      Planning an exit

Line break
Line break