Founder-led UK businesses with £5m to £100m turnover, ready to grow by buying.
You built the business, or you run it as if you had. You want it to grow. Buying another business looks quicker than building from scratch. It might be your first purchase, or the next in a series. You don't have a deal team, and you don't want a sales pitch.
Situations we often see
Examples only. You don't need to match any of them.
Your first purchase
Growth on your own has slowed. You wonder if buying a business would get you further, faster. You want to do it properly, and not pay too much.
Buying a competitor
A rival's owner is close to retiring. Or you know which businesses you'd most like to own. You want to contact them without the market finding out.
A new region or customer group
Customers want you where you aren't yet, or in a sector you don't serve. Buying a business that's already there is quicker than starting from scratch.
Adding a skill or service
It could be a service, product or skill that would take years to build. Buying it brings you the people, customers and know-how in one go.
A series of add-on deals
You've done one or two deals that came up by chance. Now you want a steady flow of the right ones. But you don't want it to take over your week.
A deal already in front of you
A broker or an owner has offered you a business. You want a second pair of eyes, or help to run the deal properly.
What helps you get the most from us
None of these has to be in place before we talk. We'll go through them on your Expansion Briefing.
Use the readiness planner- A reason to buy. What a deal would do for your business that growing on your own wouldn't.
- A rough idea of what you'd buy. Size, type and where. We'll sharpen it with you.
- A way to pay for it. Cash, a lender, investors or a mix. It doesn't need to be agreed yet. Many founders sort it out while the search runs.
- Time from the top. Someone senior who can meet owners and decide quickly.
- Who decides. Is it you alone, a co-founder, a board or investors?
Two ways we help
You need the right owners to talk to
A set search. We research 100 businesses and agree the list with you. We contact the owners in confidence and make five introductions in 45 days.
See Target 45 →You need a deal team, month after month
An ongoing search, and an up-to-date list of businesses you're talking to. We also help you through live deals and organise your lawyers and accountants.
See the Expansion Partnership →Where we know the market best
We work across sectors. These guides cover the ones we know best, and what's different about buying in each.
Financial advice and wealth management
Client lists, advisers and FCA approval when the owner changes.
Food and drink
Brands, sites, relying on a few big customers, and food safety.
Fire and security
Maintenance contracts, industry approvals and lots of other buyers.
IT managed services
Repeat income, contracts and keeping engineers.
Accountancy practices
Fee income, keeping clients, and partners who plan to retire.
Scotland
A Glasgow base for Scottish founders buying at home or further afield.
Is this for us?
Are we large enough?
Yes, if your business turns over £5m or more. That's your turnover, not the size of the business you'd buy. That one can be smaller or larger, based on your plans.
Do we need to have bought a business before?
No. Many founders we speak to are thinking about their first purchase. Others have done one or two and want a steadier flow.
Do we need a business in mind already?
No. Finding the right businesses is most of what we do. If you do have one in mind, we can start there.
What if our funding isn't confirmed?
That's normal at the start. We'll talk through your options on the Expansion Briefing. You'll need a solid way to pay before you make an offer. You don't need it before you start looking.
We're backed by private equity. Can you help?
Our services are built for founder-led businesses. If you have investors behind you, book an Expansion Briefing. We'll tell you honestly if we're the right fit.
Thinking about buying a business?
Book a free Expansion Briefing. It's a 30-minute call with us about what you want to buy and if now is the right time. Afterwards, you get a short written summary and an honest view.