East Anglia has an unusual number of established family businesses: farming and food, engineering, distribution, property and services, many in the second or third generation. When owners start to think about the future, the choices are often wider than they expect.
Who buys
Trade buyers looking for a regional foothold, private equity and family offices looking for well run, profitable companies, and management teams backed by outside capital. Each values a business differently, and each brings a different future for staff and the family name.
What buyers look for
Profits that do not depend on the owner personally
A management team that will stay
Clean accounts and clear ownership of property and assets
Customers and suppliers spread rather than concentrated
Property and the business
Many family businesses own their land and buildings. Deciding early whether property is sold with the business, kept by the family and leased back, or sold separately can add materially to the outcome.
Start with a conversation
The best results come from owners who start thinking two or three years before they want to act, with no commitment to any particular route.
For a confidential conversation, call James Innes on 020 7850 4760 or email james.innes@chrystalcapital.com.
This article is general information and is not advice.