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If you’re thinking about selling your company, one of the first things you will need to consider is how to price a business for sale. It sounds simple, but it really isn’t. We regularly see founders fixate on a number far too early. Once that happens, everything else becomes harder. Buyers often anchor to it (even if it wasn’t meant to be a firm price), and then advisers have to work around it. This can stall deals before they really…

If you are thinking about buying a company, one of the first things you will need to work out is how to value a business to buy. We regularly see buyers fall into two traps. Either they rely too heavily on the seller’s price, or they rush to a valuation before properly understanding the business. Both can lead to expensive mistakes. If you’re valuing a business to buy, there’s a lot to consider. What is the potential risk? Future returns?…

We regularly advise sellers who run a business with family and know that selling a small family business adds a unique dynamic to the transaction. The legal issues are often similar to any other business sale, but the family dynamic adds an extra layer. This article looks at the legal aspects you should think about when selling a small family business.

Want to sell an online business. We regularly see online business sales delayed when key issues were not considered properly. Let us explain...

When entering into a merger, you will face merger due diligence. It's exposing your business, the good and bad, so be prepared. We explain how...

Buying an established business can feel like a safer option than starting from scratch but it has risks that are not always obvious. Let us explain....

Since taking office in July 2024, Labour has repeatedly stressed its intention to “reset” the UK’s growth model. After the release of the Budget this November, many businesses are still asking a simple question: what has actually changed?

Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) options are one of the few tax-efficient ways for early-stage businesses to reward key people without draining precious cash. They also help you keep good hires during the years when you are building something from the ground up. The difficulty is that EMI rules are technical and a single mistake can remove the tax advantages completely and permanently.  (With that said, we at JPP Law have had experience of negotiating with HMRC and have had leniency…

When you sell a business, there is usually one point that takes the longest to agree: the price. You may have strong views about what the business is worth. The buyer may be looking at past performance and wanting protection if the projections don’t materialise. An earn-out is often the middle ground. You receive part of the price at completion and the rest if the business performs in the way both sides agree. Earn-outs are common in UK share sales,…

When you launch a company, every share matters. The people who hold those shares have a say in how your business grows, who comes on board, and what direction it takes. That’s why many founders include a right of first refusal clause in their shareholders’ agreement or Articles of Association. It’s a practical way to keep control of your ownership structure as the company develops and attracts new investors. This article explains what the right of first refusal clause means,…