Why choose Lucas and Weston to sell your business?
- A proven track record.
- 91% offer success rate last year.
- Discretion and confidentiality.
- 39 years worth of experience.
- Director led support.
- Bespoke service tailored to you.
- Accurate valuation and appraisal.
- Well connected.
- Pro-active. We don't wait for action.
- International exposure. Last year 17.9% of our sales went to overseas buyers.
- Market leading presentation and documentation featuring unique Neurosell® technology.
- Exposure to our proven database of buyers.
- Prompt and regular reporting keeps you informed at all times.
- Performance driven fee structure.
- No hard sell - just common sense practical advice.
- Transparent and flexible terms.
- You want the best.
For most business owners, selling up is a once in a lifetime opportunity to capitalise on years of hard work. Whatever the reason for selling you'll want to do it quickly, discreetly, without distraction and for the best possible price.
Selling a business, if done properly, can be a full time job. You have probably realised the need for an experienced guiding hand to ensure no mistakes are made and to deliver a no nonsense service that ultimately ends with a sale.
The sales process. What's involved. Learn more...
Horses for courses...
As with most industries there is lots of choice. Not all business brokers are the same or operate to the same high standards. A broker who specialises in fish and chip shops or retail businesses is unlikely to be a good choice if you're a manufacturer, distributor, IT specialist or a recruitment consultancy.
If you have been looking into the role of a broker and trawling the web, you have realised the bewildering array of choice. There is plenty of conflicting advice and talk of maximised value.
A good business broker can dramatically increase the deal value of your business. They can look after your interests, smooth the selling process and save you time and money - generally making your life easier. All of which will far outweigh any fees involved.
Conversely, a poor broker can cost you your nerves, a ton of money, antagonise buyers and have you pulling your hair out in frustration. It really isn't a decision to be rushed or pushed on you by a flashy salesman you'll probably never see again or on the promise of a deal never attainable from the outset?
How to choose a business broker that's right for you.
To us, selling a business is more than just numbers and volume. It's about understanding a business, its owners, employees, what it does and the environment/sector it operates in. We bring together experience, expertise and enthusiasm and marry it with creativity, hard work and determination to ensure we deliver the results our clients demand. No jargon, waffle, or smoke-and-mirrors. Just results.
There are no short cuts to selling a business, but as our client you benefit from 39 years of frontline business sales experience in nearly all sectors of commerce and industry. Having built, run, managed, bought and sold several of our own businesses we know what works and why which means you will save time and money.
We are members of the Institute of Directors, as well as one of only four UK members of the International Business Brokers Association.
Our proven direct approach makes the process of selling a business easy to understand. We have been asked to write for the BBC as well as other media outlets and have advised the Government on selling businesses through their Business Link website service.
We deliver
We are rightly proud of our work and enjoy what we do. Getting a business sold takes commitment, on both sides, and we work with you tirelessly to deliver a sale and have a proven track record of delivering success.
Straight forward and easy to get started
With tried and tested systems in place we can, providing you are ready, launch a bespoke sales process quickly, with the minimum of fuss or interruption. Although we have sold a businesses in as little as three weeks before that's not the norm. Our average business sale completes within six months. The market reacts positively and quickly to good opportunities.
Confidential and discreet
We operate with total discretion at all times. Without this, we don't have a business. What's more, no sensitive commercial information is given to any party without passing through our vigorous vetting process and only following your express approval.
Director led project management
You should work with the people who actually do the job, someone responsible and accountable to you and whose interests are aligned. Also someone who understands your position and is motivated to help you realise your goals. So, a director of the firm works directly with you so you don't have to play chinese whispers with revolving account managers or call centre staff. You will get to know us and you can expect to see the same faces from start to completion.
Experience
As our client you'll benefit from 39 years of frontline business sales experience in nearly all sectors of commerce and industry. Having built, run, managed, bought and sold several of our own businesses we know what works and why, which means you'll save time and money.
Accurate appraisal and valuation
We'll tell you what your business is worth and why. We can honestly tell you if now is the best time to sell or if you could you get a better deal by waiting. It is in neither of our interests to tell you only what you might want to hear. You can then plan effectively and know what the realistic and likely timescales and sales proceeds could be. We can also highlight any issues which could increase your business's value or ensure a smoother sale. In short, we can save you both time and money.
Outstanding presentation
Current research suggests that 6 seconds is all it takes for a buyer to decide whether to keep or bin your sales information. Your business has to stand out in order to be taken seriously. Using the latest proprietary Neurosell® process, our in-house graphic design team create documentation proven to: motivate buyers to act, withstand adviser scrutiny and to achieve the best possible price. You won't find this attention to detail or technology/process in any other broker. This area, often overlooked, can really make or break a sale.
An excellent return on investment
We only take engagements where we can add value in excess of the fees we charge.
Looking after your best interests
Our proven direct approach makes the process of selling a business easy to understand. We offer clients advice that is in their best interests, even if this means we profit less.
We don't sell the same business twice
Your business is unique in terms of its offering and we believe in understanding why, so that we can present your business to the right audience in its best possible light. You are never just a number at Lucas & Weston.
Continual investment
We continually invest in the best training, IT and systems to ensure you benefit from our remaining the clear market leader.
transparency
Sounds obvious doesn’t it? However, frequently it is not the case. We believe strongly in transparency where it comes to fees, our engagement with you and in not hiding costs. We agree all our fees and terms with you in advance so there are no nasty surprises at the end. We can then concentrate on getting you the best deal.
Independent
We're an exclusively senior team, own our business and we're independent. This means it's up to us how much time we invest into a project. We believe in attention to detail and getting things right, even if that takes more time and effort.
communication
Regular communication and a clear understanding of what's going on are vital to any business sale. Our clients receive prompt accurate feedback and reporting which keeps them informed at every stage of the process.
Well connected
We are members of the Institute of Directors, as well as one of only four UK members of the International Business Brokers Association. We are well connected and work with some of the leaders in their fields including PLCs, private equity, venture capital, high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors. We'll take responsibility for your business sale from start to completion.
As a result you'll get more choice of buyers as our marketing generates qualified prospects from sources you couldn't reach yourself.
Around 60% of our business sales come directly from our contacts. As our client, you will benefit from years of tried and tested experience in this field which means we excel, and positively shine, head and shoulders above our peers. Where is the evidence? Our proven track record.
Marketing, Marketing, Marketing
Getting off your backside to do the miles, knowing where to look and knowing what works and why. Key elements necessary for the successful marketing of a business. It is a specialist skill. To do this right, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for the ultimate buyer, is expensive and time consuming. It is why so many business sales never get off the ground. It's an area many business owners and their advisers cut corners. It's why millions of pounds get lost in deal value.
To be frank, relying on adverts in newspapers and websites isn't going to find the strategic buyers, the ones who'll pay you the most. The best buyers probably aren't even looking. While advertising, both nationally and in specialist trade journals, can be an important part of the marketing strategy, you will miss lucrative opportunities if this is all you and your broker do. You will reap what you sow. As famous marketeer John Wanamaker said "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half". You can't afford to get this wrong?
Contact us to learn more about our advertising and marketing...
By watching our competitors closely we know that our service and attention to detail is unrivalled. We would say that wouldn't we? So don't take our word for it, compare us to our closest rivals for yourself.
And finally...
Talk is cheap. All that counts are results. Last year, due to our marketing efforts, a staggering 91% of our clients received one or more offers for their business. This compares to an industry average of just 12%.
We consistently negotiate and complete deals worth millions of pounds for our clients, see some of our recent deals.
Let's get started.
Before you proceed, please note that we have minimum fees for any business sale engagement. If you're expecting a no sale no fee option, please do not apply for a free appraisal. Thank you.
Fill out this form and we'll respond within 24-48 hours. If you do not receive an answer, or if you have additional information to submit to us, email it to Jenny Walker or Howard Weston and refer to this enquiry.
Also, your request will be treated in TOTAL CONFIDENCE. We will review your enquiry and see how best we can help you. We respect your email privacy and your email address won't be shared with anyone.