Exit Strategy & Succession Planning
Secure your future. Protect your legacy. Reward your journey.
For many SME owners, the focus is always on running the business — keeping clients happy, driving performance, and managing the day-to-day.
But when it comes to the future, one truth stands out:
It’s never too early to start planning your exit.
How I help
A well-designed exit strategy isn’t just about selling a business — it’s about maximising value, protecting your legacy, and ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved. Whether your goal is a full sale, a management buyout, employee ownership, or family succession, careful preparation gives you choice, control, and confidence.
At PGriffin Consulting, I work with SME business owners to think ahead — developing succession plans that balance personal ambitions, business stability, and the wellbeing of their teams. Having a clear plan in place not only creates confidence and reassurance for those around you, but also opens up new opportunities and enhances the value of your business — giving you the flexibility to exit on your own terms and timing.
There are many ways to exit a business successfully. Options might include a trade sale to another company, a management buyout (MBO) to reward loyal leaders, selling to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) to preserve culture and legacy, or family succession if the next generation is ready to lead. For others, a partial exit or private investor partnership can provide the flexibility to step back gradually while retaining a stake in future growth. The key is to explore the right fit — one that aligns with your ambitions, timing, and values.
I firmly believe that if you’ve taken the risks, made the sacrifices, and dedicated years to building your business, you deserve to benefit from that success. The right exit plan ensures you realise the full value of what you’ve built — while giving your team prospects for the future and keeping your business legacy alive.
Whether you’re beginning to think about succession planning or actively preparing for a business sale, I’ll help you develop a practical, tailored roadmap that delivers clarity today and confidence for tomorrow.
The Benefits of Early Exit and Succession Planning
Planning your exit or succession well in advance isn’t about leaving your business — it’s about strengthening it. For SME owners, starting early creates choice, builds value, and ensures you stay firmly in control of your future.
Here are the key benefits:
1. Protects and Enhances Business Value
An early plan allows you to address potential weaknesses, strengthen leadership, and optimise financial performance — all of which increase the value of your business when the time comes to sell or step back.
2. Gives You More Control and Flexibility
By preparing ahead, you choose how and when you exit — whether that’s a full sale, gradual step-back, or passing the business on to family or employees. You make the decisions, not the circumstances.
3. Builds Confidence Across the Team
Clear succession planning reassures your team about the future. It reduces uncertainty, boosts loyalty, and helps retain key people who are vital to ongoing success.
4. Keeps Operations Running Smoothly
A planned transition ensures leadership continuity and avoids disruption. The business can keep performing strongly, even as ownership or leadership evolves.
5. Creates Strategic Options and Opportunities
Early preparation means you’re ready to act when opportunities arise — whether that’s a buyer approaching, an investment offer, or the right time to hand over. Being ready puts you in a stronger negotiating position.
6. Protects Your Legacy
You’ve invested years of effort and taken real risks to build your business. Early planning ensures that legacy continues — through your people, your culture, and the reputation you’ve built.
7. Supports Personal and Financial Goals
A well-designed exit strategy aligns with your personal ambitions — helping you secure the lifestyle, freedom, and financial security you’ve worked hard for.
8. Reduces Stress and Uncertainty
Last-minute decisions often lead to rushed deals and lost value. Planning early removes pressure, giving you time to prepare properly and make informed, confident choices.