Business Sale Advisors for Selling a Business
Considering selling your business? Our Corporate Finance team work alongside business owners to navigate the complexities of a sale and achieve the best possible outcome. We advise owner-managed and private businesses across a wide range of sectors on transactions including full company sales, partial exits, management buyouts, and employee ownership transitions.
By engaging an experienced business sales advisor early, you gain clarity and confidence while we help prepare your business for market, identify the right buyers, and negotiate effectively to maximise value and minimise risk.
Expert Advice for Business Owners Considering a Sale
Business owners choose to sell for many reasons: retirement, succession planning, raising capital, or simply realising the value they’ve built over time. Whatever your motivation, selling a business is a complex and often time-consuming process.
Planning early is essential. Many of the key decisions that impact value, such as financial structure, management strength, and risk exposure, take time to optimise.
Without expert guidance, business owners can face challenges such as:
- Underestimating the time required to complete a sale
- Struggling to position the business effectively for buyers
- Misjudging valuation expectations
- Navigating complex negotiations and due diligence
With the support of experienced advisors, you can approach the process with confidence. We help you prepare thoroughly, present your business in the strongest light, and create competitive tension to maximise value.
If succession is part of your thinking, you may also find our guide helpful on succession planning in business.
How We Help You Sell Your Business
Business Valuation
Sale Preparation
We prepare your business for sale by strengthening financial information, addressing risks, optimising structure, and creating compelling sale materials.
Buyer Identification
We identify and engage the most suitable buyers, including trade, private equity, management, and employee ownership, while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Negotiation Support
Due Diligence & Completion
We manage the final stages of the transaction, coordinating due diligence and advisors to ensure a smooth and successful completion.
Business Sale Options
There is no single approach to selling a business. The right route depends on your objectives, timeline, and the nature of your business. We advise on a range of sale options to ensure the best fit for your circumstances.
Selling to a Trade Buyer
A trade buyer is typically another company operating in your sector or a related industry, looking to expand through acquisition.
Our approach includes:
- Strategy – Advising on how to achieve your objectives while maximising value.
- Preparation – Ensuring your business is in the best possible shape for sale.
- Marketing – Creating compelling sales materials to attract buyers.
- Buyers – Identifying potential acquirers locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Offer selection – Managing offers and helping you choose the best deal.
- Closing the deal – Handling due diligence and supporting negotiations through to completion.
Selling to a trade buyer can often deliver strong value, particularly where there are clear synergies and growth opportunities.
Selling via a Management Buyout (MBO)
A Management Buy-Out (MBO) can be a great exit strategy for business owners, rewarding the management team while preserving the company’s identity and securing staff employment. Our corporate finance team can guide you through the process, including:
- Approach – Either management-led (seeking finance) or vendor-led (deal structured by the owner).
- Feasibility – Aligning price expectations early to prevent conflicts.
- Price & structure – Ensuring valuation and affordability for long-term success.
- Funding – Structuring a mix of cash, deferred consideration, equity, and retained shares.
- Vendor negotiations – Managing sensitive discussions to avoid conflict.
- Transaction management – Overseeing due diligence and completion for a smooth process.
MBOs can provide a smooth transition and preserve the culture and legacy of the business, while still delivering value to shareholders. Learn more: What is a management buy-out?
Selling to an Employee Ownership Trust
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) are an increasingly popular succession option for business owners, providing a tax-efficient way to sell a controlling stake to employees while preserving the business’s independence and culture. Our team can guide both sellers and employees through the EOT process.
Our services include:
Feasibility study – Assessing key aspects such as valuation, structure, funding, employee engagement, and share plan options.
Valuation and structure – Informed company or asset valuation of the target business and structuring advice for informed decision-making.
Funding – Structuring the purchase price using a mix of cash, deferred consideration, retained shares, and potentially external funding.
Tax clearance – Working with tax specialists to secure HMRC clearance and maximise tax benefits.
Employee engagement – Supporting employees and management through the transition, including governance, employee councils, and communication strategies.
Business Valuations – Do you need one?
A professional valuation is one of the most important stages in the sale process.
It helps you:
- Understand what your business is worth
- Set realistic expectations
- Identify opportunities to increase value before going to market
Valuation is influenced by factors such as:
- Financial performance and profitability
- Growth prospects
- Market conditions and buyer demand
- Risk profile and management strength
We work closely with you to enhance value before launching a sale process, ensuring your business is positioned as strongly as possible.
For a detailed guide, visit our guide on how to value a business.
Why Choose Henderson Loggie as Your Business Sales Advisor for Selling a Business?
Henderson Loggie offers a highly experienced corporate finance team with strong technical expertise, backed by specialist qualifications and a proven track record advising owner-managed businesses on successful exits. Our team brings years of hands-on experience supporting transactions across a wide range of sectors and complexities.
We have delivered numerous deals across different industries and transaction sizes, giving us a deep understanding of what drives value and how to position your business effectively in the market. Our strong knowledge of the Scottish market, combined with established regional networks, provides valuable insight into both local and broader deal dynamics.
We also take a collaborative approach, working closely with legal, tax, and financial advisers to ensure a smooth, joined-up process from start to finish, with clear communication and a focus on achieving the best outcome for you.
Testimonials
Meet our Business Sales Advisors
Rod Mathers
Partner
Gregor Miller
Manager
Robin Denissen-McIntosh
Manager
Conor Adamson
Manager
Selling a Business FAQs
How long does it take to sell a business?
How is a business valued before a sale?
Why should I use a business sales advisor?
When should I start preparing to sell my business?
What information do buyers look for during due diligence?
Can I sell my business to my management team?
What is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)?
What types of buyers could acquire my business?
