Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! and we'd encourage it. The best business sales start with early conversations, often years before the actual transaction. There's no obligation and no pressure. We're happy to have a quiet, confidential chat about your options, your timeline, and what you'd need to do to prepare. The earlier you start thinking about it, the better the outcome when the time comes. Contact us at CF@cflegacypartners.co.uk (mailto:CF@cflegacypartners.co.uk)and we'll arrange a call at your convenience.

Every business is different, but a typical sale process in the UK takes between 6 and 12 months from initial conversations to completion. Some move faster, particularly where the seller is well-prepared and the buyer is experienced. We aim to be efficient without being rushed, thoroughness matters more than speed, because a deal done badly costs both sides far more than a deal done properly.

There's no single formula, but most established UK SMEs in our target sectors are valued using a multiple of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation). The multiple depends on factors like your sector, growth trajectory, customer concentration, team strength, and how dependent the business is on you personally. We're always transparent about how we arrive at a valuation, and we'll walk you through our rationale openly. We'd recommend getting an independent valuation from your accountant alongside any conversation with us.

We focus on profitable, well-established UK businesses in sectors where physical, hands-on work is at the core of what the business does. That includes manufacturing, precision engineering, maintenance and field services, facilities management, building services, industrial services, and specialist trades. We typically look for businesses with £2m–£20m turnover, 10–100 employees, and at least 10 years of trading history. The common thread is businesses with strong teams, loyal customers, and back offices that haven't kept pace with the quality of the work being done on the ground.

Retirement is the most common reason, but not the only one. We also work with owners experiencing founder fatigue, those wanting to step back from day-to-day management, and situations where there's a succession gap; for example, where children or senior managers aren't able or willing to take over. The key factor for us is that the business is fundamentally healthy and the owner genuinely wants a good outcome for their team and customers.

No. We acquire businesses because of what they've built; and that includes their name, their reputation, and their standing in the market. We're not looking to rebrand, merge, or absorb your business into something else. Your business continues as your business, with the operational improvements it needs to grow further.

We listen before we lead. In the first 30 days, we meet every team member individually, understand how the business really operates, and identify what's working well. We don't make sweeping changes on Day 1. We earn trust first, communicate openly, and introduce improvements gradually; always with the team's input. Our experience across dozens of businesses has shown us that change done with people, not to people, is the only change that sticks.