From assessment to completion, we simplify the journey
18–36 months before you sell: Assess your readiness, improve what matters, and build strategic value
When you're actively selling: Navigate the deal from preparation through to completion
Building value before you go to market
Where the business stands and what a buyer will notice.
Duration: 4–6 weeks
Reduce risk and build value.
Duration: 6–18 months
The high-stakes calls, made with a clear view of each option.
Through buyer conversations, diligence and completion, with an adviser on your side.
Duration: See Part 2 below
Navigating the deal from first contact to completion
We learn about you and your business, your values and what you are hoping to achieve. We'll discuss valuation, take a look at the current state of affairs and develop a strategic exit plan. Not necessary if you've been on the preparation journey with ESS.
More about our Exit Readiness AssessmentDeciding to sell is just the start. Here's how we set the stage for success.
We'll ensure you are ready for the process and know what to expect. We'll prepare for curveballs and make sure you're ready for the emotional and operational challenges ahead.
The teaser (2–3 pages) sparks buyer interest. The CIM (30+ pages) provides everything buyers need to understand your business and opportunity.
A quality-of-earnings review - normally your accountant’s work - shows what a buyer’s own analysis will find. We help you read it from the buyer’s side and prioritise what to fix before diligence begins.
Customer agreements, staff contracts, tax and compliance, financial reports, and much more. We help you get organised and start preparing for buyer due diligence.
When the sale starts. Your corporate finance adviser, or you and your accountant, run the approach to buyers. Here is where we help.
Through The Buyer Landscape we find out who might buy your business and agree a shortlist with you, and your introducer where you have one. We then research each shortlisted buyer in depth and set out how each is best approached.
Outreach runs through whoever runs your sale. Our part is helping you set who should and shouldn’t be approached, what a serious buyer looks like, and how confidentiality holds as the list widens.
Information requests come thick and fast once buyers engage. We help you decide what goes out, when and in what order, and prepare you for the early conversations - so momentum is kept without giving away position.
Finding the perfect balance of price, structure, terms, and timing. Together with your legal advisers we review the LOI/HoTs - once signed, you'll normally offer exclusivity to the buyer during the upcoming due diligence stage.
The hardest part is here - but together, we'll get it done right.
Signing the HoTs is a huge step forward, but it's not the finish line. With your legal and CF advisers, we ensure you fully understand what you're agreeing to and that there won't be any last-minute surprises.
Due diligence can be stressful but we'll help you through it. Our goal is to minimise disruptions to your business, address any concerns quickly, and maintain momentum so the deal keeps moving forward.
We coordinate with solicitors, accountants, tax specialists and CF advisers. We act as the central hub, ensuring clear communication and resolving issues quickly.
We’re beside you through the last-minute negotiations, every term tested against the lines you set at the start - while your solicitors hold the documents.
Whether you’re 3 years out or responding to an approach next week, we can help you navigate the journey with confidence