Buying a business in the UK

Expert-Led Business Sales for SME Owners

At Dexterity Partners, we help entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses confidently acquire SME businesses across the UK. Our joined-up approach gives you everything you need under one roof – business advisors, accountants, and our integrated law firm, 3Volution. That means one point of contact, one aligned strategy, and a far smoother buying experience.

We work closely with acquirers to help match them with opportunities that suit their needs and requirements. Our opportunities range across many sectors and size of business.

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Expert-Led Business Sales for SME Owners

How we work

1. Collaborative approach

Here we actively go out to find buyers for you and bring potential acquisitions to you. This starts with an exercise in which we sit down and understand your exact acquisition criteria and what your goals are. Then we go out and find potential businesses that fit the criteria and bring them to you for a discussion to be had and hopefully a deal. The key here is we work with both parties to facilitate the deal, collaborating to ensure the deal works for both parties and that there isn't the usual uncertainty.

2. Strategic help

We often work with businesses looking to acquire to help them understand the market, what the opportunities are and how acquisitions could help with their long term business strategy and goals.

3. Join Our Buyers network

Alternatively, you can join our buyers network which will allow us to understand what your acquisition criteria is and get notified of opportunities that fit your criteria.

Buying A Business, Simplified

We understand that buying a business is a big strategic and financial decision. Here’s how we help:

  • Expert Guidance – A track record of success in helping owners and SME’s.
  • End-to-End Management – No need for multiple advisors; we handle everything from start to finish. From preparation, through finding a buyer all the way to legal completion of the deal.
  • A Proactive Search Strategy – We don’t wait for listings. We actively approach businesses that fit your acquisition goals.
  • Confidential & Discreet Process – Ensuring smooth transactions with minimal disruption.
Buying A Business, Simplified

Jonathan Priestley

Jonathan Priestley

Partner

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Simon Brayshaw

Simon Brayshaw

Partner

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Harry Brayshaw

Harry Brayshaw

Manager

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Acquisition Advisory Services

Identification of potential acquisition opportunities

We can help you find potential acquisition targets both through our network of businesses looking to sell as well as the wider market. finding business that would fit your target profile and fitr with your business. We do through our software solution that allows us to profile and target business in great detail using information that is not widely available publicly.

Analysis of acquisition opportunities

We can provide advice and technical analysis of any acquisition, from the financials of the business to the operational and synergy benefits that an acquisition could deliver.

Negotiation with potential targets

As part of our services we can negotiate with potential targets to understand what they are looking for, the position they are in and what their motivating factors are. We can assist you in doing this or take the lead in this depending on what suits you as we understand that often this process can be time consuming and it takes you away from running your business day to day.

Valuation support

The valuation of any business is often the most important factor in a deal but also can be the most difficult. At Dexterity Partners we have a great deal of experience on both sides of this valuation process and as such are uniquely positioned to both help you determine what the valuation should be and what the drivers are as well as understanding what the seller's perspective is and what they are looking for.

​Preparation of offer letters and Heads of Terms

Whether advising on a sale or a purchase at Dexterity Partners we always look to agree to a comprehensive and detailed Heads of Terms before engaging in any due diligence. This is to ensure both parties are on the same page and agree to both the deal in principle but also in the smaller details and conditions, which in most cases are key to the success of the deal. One of the most common factors for deals failing last minute is when the Heads of Terms are too ‘loose’ and the two parties actually do not agree but have different interpretations of certain aspects of the deal. This may seem like something that shouldn't happen, but it does when the Heads of Terms are not sufficiently detailed and precise.

Legal advice and support

The funds to complete a deal can often be an important issue to resolve in any transaction and we can advise and assist in this aspect to ensure you can complete any deal with a funding option that works best for you.

Financing advice

The funds to complete a deal can often be an important issue to resolve in any transaction and we can advise and assist in this aspect to ensure you can complete any deal with a funding option that works best for you.

Why Choose Dexterity Partners?

  • A unique End-to-End service – From valuation to completion, we manage the entire process.
  • A joined up legal approach – Every sale needs a legal team we have our own, and they’re involved from the start. 
  • A track record of success – We don’t sign clients up and hope, we deliver every time. Our process ensures success.
  • Personalised Service – Every client receives a tailored strategy.
Why Choose Dexterity Partners?
“ I'm delighted to be joining forces with K3. We pride ourselves on delivering a high-quality service and we can add greater value to our clients through the provision of K3's broad range of advisory services. Businesses are facing unprecedented levels of financial hardship and we are now in an even stronger position to help businesses navigate the current economic storm." Dexterity Partners played a critical role in managing the complete sales process, from negotiation to legal completion. This enabled me to remain focussed on the business whilst having an experienced sounding board who understood all the issues. Dexterity Partners unique approach with a single point contact controlling the whole process, improved the final agreed value and terms of the deal. Michael Chamberlain
Founder and director at Chamberlain & Co.
“ After 30 years of growing my business from a start up, understanding a sale process was different from anything I had previously done. Dexterity Partners with their one point of contact helped guide me through the process and avoid the pitfalls I never knew existed. David
Building Products Manufactruer
“ After working with Dexterity Partners their "Fit to Sell" process highlighted the opportunity to grow my business via a merger with a similar business. They helped me find funding to enable me to gain the benefits of a sale whilst keeping control. Chris
Construction & Home Improvements
“ Our business was severely impacted by COVID and a sale looked like the only option. The "Fit to Sell" review resulted in a new strategy to be designed and refinanced. The "Fit for the Future" review highlighted a greater value if we focused on additional sales growth until a more favourable market environment exists to sell the business. It was pleasing to note that Dexterity Partners were not pushing a sale only but provided us with strategic options. David
UK Retailer

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Business

What Types of Businesses Do We Help Buyers Acquire?

We work across multiple sectors and business types, typically SMEs with revenues between £1m and £50m. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an experienced acquirer, or a private equity investor, we help you identify, negotiate, and acquire the right business.

How long does it take to buy a business?

While every deal is different, most transactions complete within 6–12 months, depending on complexity and readiness.

Do you only work with UK businesses?

Yes – we specialise in UK-based SME businesses.

Can you help with finance and structuring the deal?

Absolutely. We regularly assist clients with funding options and help structure deals in the most tax and commercially efficient way.


Selling a Business in the UK

Buying a business in the UK

Business Exit Strategy

Free Business Valuation

Selling a business to family

Management Buyout (MBO)

Get in touch

Contact our team at Dexterity Partners today for assistance with selling your business, let us help you sell your business.