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Retirement for business owners is rarely just a financial decision. Long before a sale completes, subtle symptoms appear: fatigue with decision-making, shifting priorities, and questions of identity and legacy. This article explores what really happens when a founder or CEO steps away, the emotional and practical challenges that follow, and how to design an exit that protects value, people, and purpose—so the next chapter feels intentional rather than empty.

Due diligence is where an M&A deal stops being a romance and becomes a reality check. We test earnings quality, working capital, contracts and tax, then dig into what really drives value: people and client stickiness in service firms, and asset condition, servicing logs and capex backlog in asset-heavy ones. Pitfalls include ‘clients’ not contacted in years, underpriced maintenance, and hidden VAT/PAYE exposure. Lexis Capital Group helps turn findings into price, structure an

UK M&A activity in 2026 is regaining momentum as valuations reset and confidence returns. Private equity is deploying capital through structured deals, foreign buyers are selectively targeting UK assets, and the mid-market is driving most transactions. With succession pressures rising and financing more predictable, preparation, deal structure and execution now matter more than timing the market.

This blog examines the Ben & Jerry’s–Unilever dispute to show how M&A agreements can fail as business environments and power dynamics change. It highlights how protections like independent boards weaken over time, why buyers can undermine deals without breaching them, and the lesson for founders: agreements must be built to survive shifting strategy, leadership and incentives, not just the moment they are signed.

This blog challenges the assumption that lawyers are the main deal-killers in UK M&A, arguing instead that accountants more often derail SME transactions. It explores how late involvement, HMRC fear, conservative instincts and risk-heavy language drain confidence, slow momentum and cause deals to quietly collapse. The piece explains why this happens, how it affects founders and buyers, and why contextual judgement matters more than technical caution.

This blog argues that earn-outs in UK M&A fail less because of poor drafting and more because of human behaviour. It explores how loss of control, identity, mistrust and misaligned expectations undermine even well-structured earn-outs, and why founders and buyers are often unsuited to the roles earn-outs force on them. The piece explains when earn-outs work, when they don’t, and why honesty about people matters more than clever deal mechanics.

This blog explores the overlooked £1–5m “no-man’s-land” of UK M&A, where strong founder-led SMEs are too big for lifestyle buyers and too small for private equity. It examines why these businesses are often undervalued, how rigid adviser thinking and flawed valuation myths trap founders, and why bespoke deal structures, not standard exits, are usually the key to fair, workable outcomes.

This handbook explains how to value a business realistically, cutting through optimistic forecasts, dodgy multiples and accountant-led misunderstandings. It shows why valuation depends on future cash, growth credibility, management dependency and sector nuance, and why many SMEs are worth less than founders assume. It highlights common pitfalls, misuse of adjusted EBITDA and overconfidence, and shows how Lexis Capital Group helps produce defensible, market-ready valuations.

This blog explains the key legal documents in an acquisition, from Heads of Terms and NDAs to SPAs, disclosure letters, earn-outs and tax deeds. It highlights common traps, hidden risks and mistakes founders overlook, and shows how careful drafting protects value and avoids disputes. It ends by noting how Lexis Capital Group helps buyers and sellers structure clean, risk-managed, investor-ready deals.

A practical, honest guide for founders hiring a CEO to run their business. It covers defining the CEO’s real authority, setting founder boundaries, measuring performance, spotting early warning signs and avoiding common transition mistakes. It also outlines smart incentive packages and shows how the right CEO can reduce founder dependency, strengthen operations and make the company more attractive for a future exit.

Budget 2025 brings higher exit taxes, stricter anti-avoidance rules and new incentives that reshape how UK M&A deals are timed, valued and structured. Owners face rising BADR rates and reduced EOT relief, while buyers must navigate tighter diligence and updated capital allowances. The blog explains how these changes affect valuations, funding and strategy, and how Lexis can support businesses planning a sale or acquisition.

Hidden legal traps can derail any **company sale UK**, from undisclosed liabilities and weak warranties to TUPE risks, tax issues, and poor due diligence. Each one erodes trust, delays completion, and reduces **business valuation UK**. Lexis Capital Group prevents these pitfalls through rigorous legal diligence, precise drafting, and in-house barristers who ensure every transaction is secure, compliant, and built to protect value.

UK M&A in 2025 is tougher but rewarding for well-prepared owners. Higher rates, tighter finance and stricter due diligence mean quality, cash flow and clean governance matter more than ever. If you’re thinking “sell my business”, planning early, fixing red flags and choosing smart deal structures will protect value and widen your buyer pool.

Strategic consolidation in UK banking: Santander’s move signals continued appetite for scale and consolidation in the UK banking sector. We uncover aspects that are new in this acquisition

Successful M&A depends on merging company cultures as carefully as financials. Lexis Capital Group outlines best practices—early cultural due diligence, clear decision rights, retention of key talent, and measurable “critical few” behaviours. With proven experience in UK acquisitions, Lexis helps business owners seeking **business for sale UK** or **sell my company UK** opportunities integrate culture and strategy to protect value and achieve lasting growth.

If you’re thinking sell my business UK, prepare 12–18 months ahead: QofE-ready accounts, clear working-capital/debt-like schedules, and consents for change-of-control. Build buyer confidence with clean contracts, IP ownership, GDPR/cyber hygiene, reliable KPIs and forecasts, and a tidy data room. Avoid weak R&D claims, messy option schemes, and lease-assignment delays. Engage seasoned advisers; Lexis Capital Group can run the process or buy directly to maximise value and cert

The UK market for mergers and acquisitions is changing fast, and any company that acquires businesses—whether through a buy-and-build strategy, private investment, or strategic expansion must understand the new legal and regulatory landscape. For investors working with Lexis Capital Group, these updates are vital for avoiding delays, reducing risk, and ensuring that each acquisition aligns with long-term portfolio goals. Below is an optimised guide covering the most important