Contact us
Newlands Corner, Surrey

SELLING A COMPANY

A personal approach
to selling your business.

Selling a business you have built is as personal as it is financial. We guide you through every step, keep everything calm, and keep everyone focused on the outcome you want.

Start a confidential conversation See how the process works

WHERE WE WORK

Mid-market and owner-managed.

Advising owners on the sale of their business since 2012.

TRANSACTION SIZE

£3m — £75m

Mid-market transactions of owner-managed businesses, typically with an EBITDA in excess of £500k.

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

UK & International

We sell on behalf of UK based businesses, and attract buyers from both the UK and overseas.

COMPANY FOCUS

Business to business

Exclusive focus on B2B companies with predictable revenue and a strong niche.

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

A fire alarm call point and fire action sign on a concrete wall

Fire & Security

An engineer on a lift platform working on the services in a building ceiling

Built Environment Compliance

A CNC machine cutting a steel part

Engineering

A production line running the length of a factory

Manufacturing

Racked aisles in a distribution warehouse

Wholesale & Distribution

The reception desk of a modern office building

Business Services

An empty boardroom table and chairs

Professional Services

An engineer in a high-visibility vest working on plant equipment

Contract Services

Lines of code on a dark screen

Software & IT

Network cables running into a server rack

Technology

Box Hill seen from Denbies Vineyard, Surrey

WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE

You have spent years in the business. Now you have to step outside it.

Most owners we act for have been engrossed in their company for years. A sale process will ask them to see things as a buyer does, navigate a process they’ve not been through before, all while still running the business day to day.

It can get emotional. Our job is to take the weight of the process off you, explain every step before it happens, be there for the moments that feel hardest, and keep you focused on achieving the sale of your company.

“When we started the sales process, it was like everyone else in the room understood what was going on, apart from me, so Leith M&A’s guidance was invaluable.”

Jim Hague HDS, sold by Leith M&A

WHY LEITH M&A

A select number of clients
and a personal service.

Research first

Our in-house research team take their time to identify and target the right type of buyers who’ll see real value in your business.

Deliberately selective

We run only 10-15 mandates at a time, so you get our full attention. If we don't think we can sell your company, we'll say so.

Tenacious execution

We drive the process forwards every step of the way. Deals can get difficult in places and we’re here to ensure they keep moving.

Director-led

You’ll work with a Director from start to finish. Our sole focus is on ensuring a smooth process and the right result at the end of it.

OUR PEOPLE

Meet the team

More about us
Surrey woodlands

CONFIDENTIALITY

Nothing goes out
without your say-so.

Confidentiality is one of the biggest concerns owners have about a sale process, and something we take very seriously.

  1. We never advertise your business or list it on M&A portals.

  2. You approve the list of buyers we approach, before we approach anyone.

  3. Buyers first see a blind profile, with nothing that identifies you.

  4. Your name is only released once an NDA is signed and you have approved that buyer.

THE PROCESS

How a sale runs

TYPICAL TIMELINE

Three to nine months

That's a typical timeline from first conversation to completion. However long it takes, we won’t give up, and will keep working until a deal is done.

  1. Preparation and valuation

    We get to know the business, test the numbers the way a buyer will, and give you an honest view of value.

  2. Research and buyer list

    We research the market and the acquirers already active in it, and agree the buyer list with you.

  3. The approach

    Buyers are approached confidentially. Your name is only shared once an NDA is signed and you have approved them.

  4. Offers and negotiation

    We create competition, compare offers on more than price, and negotiate the terms with you.

  5. Due diligence to completion

    We manage the information flow and work alongside your lawyers and accountants until the money lands.

  6. Post completion

    We remain on hand once the deal completes for whatever you may need.

OWNERS WE HAVE ACTED FOR

What people
say about us.

Green Team InteriorsPlanteria Group

“Professionalism, courtesy and respect along with a very friendly and caring approach made the process easier, less stressful than it might have been, and ultimately with a very successful outcome.”

Ruth Neal

Green Team Interiors, acquired by Planteria Group

CASE STUDIES

View all case studies

QUESTIONS OWNERS ASK

Questions you might
want answers to.

What is my business worth?

It depends on a number of factors, including your profit, the quality of your revenue, and how much the business relies on you. After a short discovery call, we can give you a realistic range.

When should I start thinking about a sale?

Earlier than most owners think. Much of what shapes the value of a business takes time to change, so an early conversation gives you more options.

Will my staff or customers find out?

Not unless you decide they should. Buyers only learn who you are after signing an NDA, and only buyers you have approved.

How long does it take?

Typically three to nine months from the first conversation to completion.

Will I have to stay on afterwards?

It depends on the buyer, how the deal is structured, and your role in the business. Some owners step away soon after completion, others stay for a handover period or an earn-out. We help you agree terms that suit you before anything is signed.

Will the process stay confidential?

Yes. We never advertise businesses or list them on portals. We approach buyers directly, and nothing identifying is shared until they have signed a non-disclosure agreement.

What if we already have a buyer?

We can still help. We’ll test their interest and price against the wider market, then run the deal through to completion. Having a buyer in hand is a strong starting point, not a reason to go it alone.

Leith Hill Tower, Surrey

NOT READY TO SELL YET?

Prepare with the
Leith Value Accelerator™.

Access your business the way a buyer will.

Become sale ready, and worth more before you go to market.

Explore the programme

EVERY NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION

Contact us for an initial
confidential discussion.

Start a conversation