Corporate Finance

The optimal time to sell a business can be influenced by the potential tax implications. UK Corporate sellers can claim the “substantial shareholding exemption” (“SSE”) to exempt a gain on a sale from corporation tax.

Launched on 6 April 2021, the Recovery Loan Scheme (“RLS”) provides financial support to businesses across the UK as they recover and grow following the coronavirus pandemic. The British Business Bank announced in late October that £1.06 billion has been offered through almost 6,200 facilities to smaller businesses across the UK, with £822.8 million drawn down through the scheme.

Lovewell Blake’s Corporate Finance team has worked with Ashtons to facilitate a £4.5 million deal which will see Norfolk and Suffolk-based occupational health specialist firm Wrightway Health become part of specialist safety and regulatory compliance services group Marlowe plc.

At some point, most business owners will have considered the potential value of their business - perhaps when they are ready to exit, but also often in the years preceding this with a view to increasing the value before going to market. The big question though, how can the value be increased?

While it may feel as though the world has come to a stand-still you may be thinking to yourself, what exactly can I be doing to ‘get the house in order’ before a potential sale?

There are a multitude of factors to consider when valuing a company but COVID-19, and the wider economic impact of the pandemic, has created a more complicated landscape for valuation professionals.

Matt Crawley, Corporate Finance Partner, took a look at exit strategies for business owners.

Along with Birketts LLP (led by Ed Savory), Lovewell Blake's Corporate Finance team has advised on a management buyout of Richards Dry Dock and Engineering Ltd and its subsidiaries, including Alicat Workboats, from the Gardline Group.