Work directly with me to get your business into the strongest possible position before you sell, negotiate a great deal and navigate the entire exit process with someone who has already done it.
SEVEN-FIGURE EXIT // ACQUIRED IN 3 YEARS // 100% FOUNDER-OWNED
Preparing and selling your business is a stressful process.
You've worked hard on it for years, given it your all and are determined to get what you think it's worth for it.
You want a number that makes the years of work worthwhile, as much cash and certainty as possible, a short earn-out, favourable terms and a process that doesn't become a nightmare.
You also want the right people around you and confidence that your team will be looked after when you leave.
That is what we work towards.
WHO IS GAVIN BELL?
I know the challenges, questions and uncertainty that come with a potential exit because I’ve been there myself.
I founded Yatter, one of the UK’s leading paid advertising agencies, and as sole owner led it to a seven-figure cash acquisition by Velstar Group within three years, negotiating a strong multiple, favourable terms and a short earn-out.
I know what the process actually involves, from getting the business ready and handling due diligence to communicating with your team and dealing with the mental side of selling something you’ve built.
I now help founders prepare properly, negotiate a great deal and navigate the entire process with the kind of support I wish I’d had when I was selling mine.
Every exit is different, but the work tends to follow the same path. We start with the outcome you want, get the business ready for it and then work together through the sale itself.
Before you start making changes or speaking to buyers, we get clear on what you actually want from the deal.
That includes your ideal outcome, how much certainty you want on completion, what sort of earn-out you would accept, how quickly you want to leave, what matters to you personally and what you want to happen to the team afterwards.
It gives us something to work backwards from rather than simply accepting whatever deal eventually lands on the table.
Next, we look at the things most likely to strengthen or weaken your position with a buyer.
That includes growth and revenue predictability, profitability, founder independence, the strength of the team, systems and processes, customer concentration, contracts, IP and anything else likely to come under scrutiny.
We identify the gaps that matter and work through them before you go to market, while you still have the opportunity to do something about them.
When the business is ready, I help you prepare for the process itself, make sure you have the right advisers around you and think through what the right buyer looks like for you, the business and your team.
That can include choosing an M&A adviser, lawyer, accountant and tax adviser, getting ready for due diligence, thinking through how the business is presented and making sure you know what to expect before buyers start asking questions.
I work alongside your professional advisers rather than replacing them.
When offers arrive, I stay involved.
We work through the headline price, cash on completion, earn-out, terms, your ongoing role and anything else that changes how good the deal really is.
I can also support you through due diligence, team communication, negotiation and transition, right through to the point where the deal is complete and you can move on to whatever comes next. The deal isn't "done" once the contract is signed. I'll work with you as you navigate life after the sale (eg. your earnout period).
A clear view of what you want from the sale, what needs to change before you go to market and the priorities most likely to improve the outcome.
Hands-on support improving the things buyers care about, from founder independence and predictable growth to profitability, team, operations, contracts and IP.
Warm introductions to the best M&A advisors, lawyers, and tax specialists.
An experienced founder beside you as you assess offers, negotiate terms, prepare for due diligence, manage the transition and work through the decisions that come with selling your company.
This is 1:1 advisory. You work directly with me throughout, with regular working sessions and access between them when something important comes up.
You might be two years away from selling and need to spend that time strengthening the business. You might be about to appoint an M&A adviser. Or you might already have an offer on the table.
The exact engagement depends on where you are and what needs to happen next.
We start with your business, the exit you want and where I can materially improve the outcome. From there, we agree the right structure and level of support.
Make the exit count
Tell me a little about the business and where you are today. I personally review every application.