Selling Your Business
Our expert Corporate Lawyers have advised on a broad range of exits, from valuations in the £10,000’s to large-scale exits of £100m+, with an excellent record of making the sale of a client's business as smooth and uncomplicated as possible.
The sale of your business marks the culmination of, in some cases, decades of hard work, stress and risk – in our experience, it is often one of the most important moments in our clients' business journeys.
Our Corporate Lawyers know this all too well – we not only appreciate the emotions that come with such a process, but have an intimate understanding of how important it is that your sale runs as smoothly as possible.
From the moment you decide your business is ready to go to market, to the moment you sign on the dotted line, Leathes Prior’s Corporate team is on hand to advise and assist every step of the way. As one of the largest Corporate teams in Norfolk, we act on a broad variety of sales, acquisitions, Management Buyouts (MBOs) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) each and every year – we’ve seen it all, and have the resource to handle any problem that may arise over the course of your deal.
There is no hard and fast rule. Some prefer having a lawyer instructed from the get-go so they are on hand when negotiating the terms of the deal. Others prefer to wait until the legal process officially commences. If opting for the latter, it can still be useful to communicate with the lawyer you intend to instruct as early as possible, as this way they will already be up to speed when you need them to start moving things forward.
Depending on the complexity of your deal, it may be beneficial to agree a set of ‘Heads of Terms’ with your buyer. The ‘Heads of Terms’ document seeks to set out, in short form, all of the fundamental terms of the deal. While the agreed terms set out in the Heads of Terms are not legally binding, they can be a good way to ensure you and your buyer are on the same page from the start of the deal.
The smoothest corporate transactions are those where Buyer and Seller get along, so opening direct channels of communication with your buyer early on, and maintaining those channels over the course of your deal, can give yourself the best chance of growing this relationship.
At Leathes Prior, we have seen more and more business owners on the brink of an exit ask what they can be doing to get ‘sale ready’. In response, we developed our ‘Company Sales Tool’ (more details below) – a free tool to help identify problem areas in your business and how to tackle them ahead of an exit.
While the best structure for your deal is not discernible by your lawyer alone, there are inevitably legal implications to the structure you decide upon. Including your lawyer in conversations with your accountant, your financial adviser or other professional advisers you may choose to instruct can make sure all bases are covered ahead of your decision.
Often, upon taking their business to market, business owners will ask prospective buyers to enter into a ‘Non-Disclosure Agreement’ (or ‘NDA’). This seeks to ensure that confidential information is only used in connection with the potential acquisition, and is kept strictly confidential.
Company Sales Tool
You may be ready to exit, but is your business exit-ready?
To help you to evaluate how prepared your business currently is to take to market, Leathes Prior has developed a simple and easy-to-use tool, powered by AI, to help you identify the areas which, if not dealt with at this stage, may cause delays over the course of your deal.
Our tool is straightforward and easy to use – simply answer a few tailored questions on key areas of your business using the various options provided. You will then receive a free email report identifying which areas of your business need further attention.
Completing the Company Sales Tool will only take approximately five minutes of your time and will give you a better understanding of how ready your business is for sale. To get started click the button below.
Sell My Business
To help you to evaluate how prepared your business currently is for the sale process, Leathes Prior have developed a simple and easy-to-use tool, powered by AI, to help you identify the areas of your business that may need some attention ahead of the sale process to make the transaction as smooth as possible.
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Reported Cases
Leathes Prior’s Corporate Team are highly experienced in assisting clients with a variety exit options. Learn more about some of our recent transactions here.
We are pleased to announce that Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz of Leathes Prior’s Corporate Team have acted on the sale of Highbury Support Services to Birch Faraday Capital.
We are pleased to announce that Richard Guthrie and Jack Horwitz of Leathes Prior’s Corporate & Commercial Team have acted for sellers Ronnie Blyth and Steve Carter on the sale of the UK’s leading gas engine repair and overhaul specialists ABC Power to landfill site operator Enovert.
Leathes Prior is delighted to have advised Canham Consulting Limited on its transition to an employee-owned business under an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure.
The transaction was led by Alex Saunders, Partner in the Corporate Team and Jack Horwitz, Associate in the Corporate Team.
Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to announce that it has acted for Stellar Global Holdings Limited in its recent sale to the Marvesting Group. The transaction represents a strategic step forward for the business, founded in 2019, which specialises in helping brands create better connections with their customers through the design of omnichannel retail experiences.
We are pleased to announce that Richard Guthrie and Nina Ryan of Leathes Prior’s Corporate & Commercial Team have acted for Mervyn Douglas and the other shareholders of the Daro Group of UK manufacturing companies on their sale to Intellego Technologies AB for a deal value of up to £10m.
Leathes Prior is pleased to have acted for the shareholders of the Greensleeves Group, David and Laura Truby, on the sale of the Group to Neighbourly Brands Limited (“Neighbourly UK”).
The transaction was led by Alex Saunders, Partner in the Corporate & Commercial Team and assisted by Sam Poulter, a Solicitor in the Corporate & Commercial Team. Lucy Whipps, Partner in the Commercial Property Team and James Conley, Solicitor in the Employment Team, acted on property and employment matters respectively.
Leathes Prior is delighted to have advised shareholders, Dave and Julie Wilson, on the sale of leading iManage Partner, Tiger Eye Consulting Limited (“Tiger Eye”) to private equity-backed CTS Group (“CTS”).
Alex Saunders, assisted by trainee solicitor Joseph Thompson, advised on the corporate aspects of the transaction.
We are very pleased to announce that Leathes Prior have acted for the shareholders of Rent4sure Ltd (“Rent4sure”) on the sale of Rent4sure to PIB Group Ltd (“PIB”), as part of the Barbon Insurance Group.
Alex Saunders, Jack Horwitz and Sam Poulter advised on the corporate aspects of the transaction, with support from Lucy Whipps and Julia Routledge on the commercial property elements and Dan Chapman on the employment matters.
We are pleased to announce that Leathes Prior have acted for The New European Ltd (TNE) in the acquisition of the multi-award winning publication, The New European, from UK-regional publisher group, Archant. Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz advised TNE on the corporate aspects of the transaction.
We are delighted to announce that Leathes Prior have assisted in the corporate acquisition of shares in Stellar Global Ltd and Mash Staffing Holdings Limited.
Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz advised the shareholders of Stellar and Mash Staffing on the corporate aspects of the transaction. Moving forwards, the merged business will trade under the Stellar brand, and the merger between the two agencies will bring an impressive global retail offering, changing how people experience and buy brands, products and services. Operating in ten countries and eight languages, Stellar will represent a broad and diverse client base including Sage Appliances, Samsung, Nike, Beats, Lavazza, BMW and Peloton.
We are pleased to announce that Leathes Prior have acted for the shareholders of Salix River & Wetland Services Limited (“Salix”) on the sale of the company to RSK Environmental Ltd (“RSK”).
Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz advised the shareholders of Salix on the Corporate aspects of the transaction, and Lucy Whipps and Georgia Short in Leathes Prior’s Commercial Property Team advised on property matters.
Paul Warman and Nina Ryan of Leathes Prior’s Corporate Team have assisted Angling Direct plc, the UK’s largest specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, in raising up to £5.5 million through a placing of new shares on the alternative investment market of the London Stock Exchange. The placing was announced on 11 June 2020, with admission of the shares proposed to take place in two tranches over the next few weeks.
SDI Group, which designs and manufactures scientific and technology products for use in digital imaging and sensing and control applications, has said “Chell Instruments is another step in our Group growth strategy. It is a complementary fit providing potential areas for growth. The acquisition is in line with our previously announced strategy of organic and acquisitive growth and is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full year of ownership."
Broads Tours and Norfolk Broads Direct, one of the largest boating companies on the Norfolk Broads, have sold the business back to the previous owner Len Funnell.
Paul and Barbara Greasley have run the award winning company for the past 17 seasons, most recently being awarded the 2019 Broads Boatyard of the Year by Hoseasons. The company has grown, and now operates 60 premier holiday hire cruisers, 49 day boats and day cruisers, 5 passenger trip boats, along with 14 waterside self-catering holiday cottages, from its base at Wroxham Bridge in the heart of the Broads.
Leathes Prior are pleased to have been able to assist on the management buyout (MBO) of Huddersfield-based Greensleeves Lawn Care Limited.
The West Yorkshire business is one of the UK’s oldest established lawn treatment providers, having a network of 88 franchises around the UK since 1998. With the funding from NatWest as part of the deal, Greensleeves aims to grow to more than 150 franchises.
Leathes Prior are pleased to have been able to assist Norfolk fishing retailer Angling Direct plc in their latest acquisition of the well-established Erics Angling Centre, which sees the addition of the Company’s first lakeside premises at Farlows Lake in Buckinghamshire.
Following the integration of Erics, Angling Direct will now have 31 stores across England, with the directors hoping that it will be an opportunity to engage both seasoned and novice anglers on one of the country’s most popular fishing sites.
Two of the region's best-known firms of financial advisers are joining forces to create one of the biggest groups in East Anglia.
The combined operation will have 125 staff, with around one-third having come from Almary Green, and will include 35 advisers, 18 of whom are individual chartered financial planners.
The two companies believe the partnership will give them a greater ability to invest in technical resources and skills, and bring new blood into the profession.
Mr Hughff said staff were enthusiastic and no jobs were at risk.
Two multi-million pound haulage businesses have joined forces after a share buyout – creating a partnership worth more than £475m.
Jack Richards and Son have sold 80% of its shares to Turners (Soham), meaning the alliance will now have a headcount of more than 4,000 members of staff.
But the chief executive of Newmarket-based Turners, Paul Day, has assured staff that the Richards name will live on.
The senior management team of one of the region’s largest office supply companies has successfully completed a buyout of the business.
Mayday Office Equipment Services, based in Norwich, has been taken over by Operations Director Karen Aldred, Commercial Director Jamie Mulhall and Sales Director Adam Northcut.
Paul Warman, Alex Saunders and Nina Ryan of our Corporate Team, together with Sarah Appleton from the Employment Team and Rob Sibley from the Commercial Property Team, supported fishing equipment retailer Angling Direct as it was successfully admitted to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange on Thursday 13th July 2017. The company raised £9m, with a post funding market capitalisation of over £27m.
What our clients say
When that once in a lifetime opportunity knocks, its essential to get it right. We did our groundwork, and on recommendation, we chose Leathes Prior. They did the job, above and beyond. If we had to do it all again I’d chose them, and we would recommend them to anyone with a business to sell. Our team (Alex Saunders, Jack Horwitz and Milan Pandit) was the ‘A’ Team (‘A’ for advice, ability, accuracy, approach, and attitude). In my view, its essential to have the right people, have the full set of expertise on hand, and rely on their expertise to get you through the tough bits. Now we are all going to the races to celebrate!
Leathes Prior did an excellent job acting for us during the sale. Their attention to detail, availability to help and sense of humour held us in good stead to ensure the right outcome in the right timeframe. Thanks, in particular, go to Alex and Jack for all their hard work, it was appreciated.
From start to finish Paul and Nina were in complete control of our affairs offering nothing short of perfection in communication to complete the acquisition of my company.
We have looked at different succession options for some time. The most important thing for Canham Consulting is that the culture and values we work so hard at, continue to develop. The only way we could be sure of this, was to transition to an Employee-Owned business, and form an EOT. The EOT process requires true collaboration, and transparency. It was essential for us, that we surrounded ourselves with practical, pragmatic, and truly understanding legal support. Alex Saunders and Jack Horwitz have guided us through the EOT process and been an integral part of the team. Their knowledge and collaborative approach have made the process enjoyable for everyone. I cannot praise or recommend Leathes Prior high enough. Thank you for your support.
After a lifetime running businesses, and building YTKO Group to 100+ people and £7m turnover, I thought carefully about various exit and succession options for some time. Establishing an Employee Ownership Trust was the best way to ensure that our values endured for the next 40 years and that our dedicated team would be able to reap the rewards of their hard work, commitment, loyalty, and passion. Choosing the right professional advisors to help us through the process was essential. Alex, Nina, and the Corporate team were outstanding, not just in terms of the legal due process, but in how they supported us - swift and practical replies, often out of hours, great availability by phone/teams, a super attitude, and a real team push to get us over the line when we encountered a last-minute obstacle. They really felt like an integral part of our senior team. I would absolutely recommend them without reservation.
I wanted to drop you a line to say what a fantastic job Nina did on our recent business sale. She worked tirelessly throughout often working out of hours to complete on a deal which had its ups and downs along the way. This is the second deal Nina has worked on for us and interestingly on the first deal we did with her the buyers were so impressed that they are using her on a deal of their own! A very nice lady who goes the extra mile to get the deals done!
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
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Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
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Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
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Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
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