Management Buy Out (MBO)

Setting you on the right track from day one

Navigate Your Management Buy Out with Confidence

Expert guidance through every stage of your MBO journey – from initial assessment to successful completion. We coordinate the process so you can focus on running your business.

Is this Right for you?

Management buyouts aren’t suitable for every situation. Here’s how to know if we’re the right fit for your circumstances.

 

This is for you if

  • £5-50m annual revenue – Sweet spot for our MBO expertise
  • Predictable cash flows – Contracted or recurring revenue streams
  • Strong management team – 2-3 key managers committed to the buyout
  • Current owners want to exit – Retirement, strategic shift, or succession planning
  • Operational business model – Success depends on management expertise rather than capital
  • Growth potential – Clear opportunities for expansion or improvement
  • £500k-2m equity capacity – Combined management team investment capability
  • Established market position – Recognized brand or market presence

This isn't for you if

  • Under £5m revenue – Economics don’t support full MBO process
  • Single key person dependency – Business relies entirely on one individual
  • Declining market/industry – Fundamental headwinds affecting sector
  • Complex ownership structure – Multiple shareholders with conflicting interests
  • Capital-intensive business – Requires significant ongoing capex investment
  • Regulatory/legal issues – Outstanding compliance or litigation matters
  • Limited management equity – Team cannot invest meaningful amounts
  • Distressed situation – Immediate cash flow or solvency concerns

MBO Assessment

Perfect for initial evaluation
£ POA +VAT
  • 90 minute workshop
  • Business readiness assessment
  • Management team evaluation
  • Preliminary valuation modeling
  • Financing options analysis
  • Risk assessment and mitigation plan
  • Go/No-go recommendation
  • Advisory team selection guidance
  • Project timeline and budget
  • 14 days chat support

MBO Navigator

Full process management
£ POA +VAT
  • Everything in Assessment PLUS
  • Advisor coordination and procurement
  • Due diligence preparation
  • Financing process management
  • Deal structuring optimisation
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Risk management throughout
  • Weekly progress reporting
  • Documentation coordination
  • Completion support
  • 30 days chat support
Popular

Growth Strategy Plus

Post-MBO expansion planning
£ POA +VAT
  • Everything in Navigator PLUS
  • 100-day integration planning
  • Growth and acquisition strategy development
  • Growth financing options
  • Operational improvement roadmap
  • Exit strategy planning (3-7 years)
  • Board advisory support
  • Quarterly strategy sessions
  • 90 days chat support
  • Exit Readiness Assessment

6 steps to exit clarity

We will use a series of facilitated workshops, follow up meetings and assessment of the information you provide us.  We have specialised tools to help us and this will always be a collaborative process.  

Also, our services don’t stop here.  With our Journey 2 Exit service we will work with you every step of the way from this starting point to your exit.

Personal & Business Goal Mapping

Gain clarity what you want — financially, emotionally, and practically

Post-Exit Vision Design

Understand what life after your business looks like and what we can do in the meantime to maximise your chances of achieving your goals.

Exit-Readiness Assessment

We will give you a baseline score across the 12 factors that influence value (the "Dirty Dozen").

Strategy Blueprint

We will give you a baseline score across the 12 factors that influence value (the "Dirty Dozen").

Value-Maximisation Strategy

Identify the biggest blockers to exit value and understand how to fix them.

Custom Exit Action Plan

Walk away with a simple, focused roadmap tailored to you and your business.

Try A FREE Online Assessment

You can take a free, online assessment to get an initial view of your readiness and understand how our process works.

With a paid service a more detailed assessment is included.  Where will guide you through the process and offer our evaluation.

Why We're Doing this

We’re entrepreneurs ourselves, and know how daunting the idea of buying, building and exiting a business can be.

We created this offer because we couldn’t find a clear, founder-focused process that combined strategy with personal goals when we were previously building businesses.

This is what we wish we had when we first thought about exiting.

Ready to get Exit Ready

Priced from £795 – £2,995 + VAT

Includes full assessment, workshops, 1:1 sessions, and personalised action plan, all led by one of our experienced directors.

If you don’t leave the process with more clarity, confidence, and value than when you started — you don’t pay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does a typical MBO process take?
Most MBOs take 6-8 months from initial assessment to completion. This includes 4-6 weeks for assessment, 8-12 weeks for financing arrangement, 6-8 weeks for legal documentation, and 4-6 weeks for regulatory approvals. Complex deals or challenging market conditions may extend this timeline.
 
What's the difference between your service and an investment bank?
Investment banks focus on large deals (£50m+) and charge significant fees upfront. We specialize in mid-market MBOs (£5-50m), offer more hands-on project management, and structure our fees to align with your success. We coordinate the entire process while you focus on running your business.
 
How much equity do management typically need to invest?

There is no simple answer to this one.  We can discuss your options – don’t be put off by thinking you have to risk your family home.

Is this just for trade sales, or other exit types too?

The Dirty Dozen framework is relevant whether you’re considering a trade sale, MBO, succession, or long-term investor exit. It’s about building a business that’s valuable and transferable — regardless of your exit route.

What if our business has recent challenges or client losses?

We can certainly help in situations where businesses face temporary setbacks. Recent client losses or performance dips don’t disqualify an MBO – they often create the opportunity. We focus on demonstrating recovery potential and structuring deals that account for the transition period.

Do You Want To Build Your Business and achieve your desired exit?

So, let's succeed together

Get in Touch To Discuss How We Can Help You

Let's have a chat

Book a free 30 minute online consultation.

Get in Touch