Looking to Buy a Business?
Acquire a Company
Gain access to high-quality, vetted, and often exclusive, off-market business opportunities with Capital & Trust. We work with private equity firms, trade buyers, and established investors across the UK, mainland Europe, and Dubai, ensuring you find businesses aligned with your acquisition strategy. Our expert team delivers the guidance, deal flow, and support you need for a successful acquisition.
Deal Flow & Quality of Opportunities When Buying a Business
Unlock a diverse portfolio of acquisition opportunities spanning accountancy, wealth management, insurance, fire & safety, mortgage services, and more. We cover businesses of all sizes and at various stages of growth across our geographic reach. Thanks to our trusted relationships and extensive network, many of our deals are confidential and not widely marketed, offering exclusive access for our buyers.
All businesses we represent are thoroughly vetted: we require commitment to sell, validate key financial and legal documentation, and are well practiced at weeding out time-wasters. This ensures that every opportunity presented is credible and ready for serious consideration.
Ready to start?
If you have seen enough and you know that we are the right team for you, then give us a call on 0207-043-4300 for a free confidential informational discussion or fill in our form.
Financial & Operational Transparency
At Capital & Trust, transparency is a priority. When you engage in due diligence, you will be provided with detailed financial statements (P&L, balance sheets, cash flow) and KPIs, in addition to relevant customer contracts and other operational data, as required. While third-party audits are not conducted, we diligently review all materials supplied by the seller and confirm all major details to the best of our ability. If we become aware of potential risks or liabilities, we ensure these are disclosed from the outset to give you a clear view of your investment.
Opportunities Aligned with Your Strategy
Your acquisition goals are unique, and we take the time to understand them. Whether your focus is sector, business size, geography, or growth stage, our team only matches you with businesses that align directly with your requirements. We share opportunities that fit your strategy and investment preferences, enabling a more efficient and targeted acquisition process.
Deal Structure & Terms
Most transactions with Capital & Trust are structured as share purchases with earn-out components, typically, 60–80% of the deal consideration is paid on day one, with the remainder over a 2–3 year period. Asset purchases and alternative structures (including equity or debt financing) are available where appropriate to the deal and the parties involved. Our sellers are generally open to negotiations or financing options for the right acquirer. Expected transaction timelines, from initial engagement to completion, range from 6–12 months on average.
Due Diligence Support
The due diligence process is led by you as the acquirer, but our team supports you at every stage. We set up secure, locked data rooms, manage Q&A flows, and facilitate management presentations and meetings with key seller stakeholders. Our goal is to make sure all due diligence steps proceed smoothly and that you have every resource needed to make an informed decision.
Market Insight Throughout Your Journey
Leverage our sector expertise and up-to-date market intelligence throughout your acquisition journey. We provide:
- Valuation benchmarks
- Sector-specific trends and forecasts
- Negotiation tips to help structure favourable deals
- Identification of potential risks and growth opportunities within each deal
This ongoing guidance ensures you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Confidentiality & Exclusivity
Confidentiality is fundamental to how we work. Every engagement begins with robust, two-way NDAs and the use of secure data rooms for all sensitive documentation. In most cases, we require an exclusivity period of approximately three months per offer to guarantee that negotiations are conducted seriously and efficiently.
Communication & Responsiveness
Our commitment to service means you’ll receive updates on new opportunities as soon as they are available. As a client, you are supported by a dedicated team, including both a Director and a Broker, ensuring proactive and responsive communication from your initial registration through to transaction completion.
Fees & Costs
Our fees are clear and success-based—the majority of costs are covered by the buy-side, with a success fee calculated as a percentage of the completed transaction value. There are no upfront or retainer fees for buyers; fees only apply on successful completion.
Reputation & Trust
Capital & Trust is recognised for our ethical approach, professionalism, and fair dealings in every transaction. We are proud of the strong relationships we build with both buyers and sellers and can provide references from previous clients on request.
Register Your Interest in Buying a Business
If you’re ready to explore exclusive, high-quality business opportunities that are tailored to your goals, or if you’re ready to explore exclusive, high-quality business opportunities tailored to your goals, and are serious about buying a business, simply register with us. A member of our team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss your requirements and to begin matching you with businesses that fit your investment criteria.
Step One: Clarity
Do you have an acquisition model in place? How will you value businesses? . What are you looking to acquire? Is it a one off acquisition or one of a number? Are you working towards a long term exit plan yourself? Are you going to roll out an increased charging structure post completion? Are you looking for employed or self employed businesses? How do you feel about share acquisitions over asset purchases? We need to know so we can ensure companies you meet are right for you. We can help, so be sure to use our experience.
Step Two: Evaluation
We need to understand your business, your background, your budget and your expectations of potential targets. We will work with you to build a target profile and once we have this, we search through companies on our register and identify a suitable fit.
Step Three: Education
We can provide a more refined search of prospective companies should you choose to retain us. If this is of interest then please call one of our team. If this is your first time, then you won't feel comfortable making a decision until you understand what it takes to buy a business. We will explain the process and help you understand the realities of the current marketplace.
Step Four: Search
You will learn how to review our information memorandums, what is required to carry out due diligence, which lawyers and accountants to use and how to effectively structure a purchase.
Step Five: Offer
We will identify target businesses, explain the risks and rewards associated with every potential acquisition and advise on how risk can be mitigated to create a seamless integration into your business post deal completion.
Step Six: Due Diligence
You will need to confirm the sellers information is accurate.There are typically four parts to the DD process: Legal, Financial, Compliance, Client. We can recommend third party experts that can assist you your review of acquisition targets.
Step Seven: Closing
Final preparations will be made for lease assignments, utility transfers, financing, merchant service accounts, inventory counts and any other last minute preparations to make the transfer as seamless as possible. Your acquisition will usually be completed by your legal counsel with the signing of several documents and the payment of the first instalment of the completion payment (if your have agreed an earn out structure), or the balance due if you are paying the full amount on completion.
Step Eight: Post Closing
We are be available to assist you with any questions or post closing requirements you may have.
Ready to get started?
If you have seen enough and you know that we are the right team for you, then give us a call on 0207 043 4300 for a free, confidential, informal discussion or alternatively, just fill in our form.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buying a Business
What should a buyer consider when acquiring a business?
Buyers should review financial performance, operations, market position, legal compliance, and growth potential. Thorough due diligence is essential. Register as a Buyer to take the first step towards buying a business.
Can existing management stay involved after an acquisition?
Yes. Many acquisitions retain existing management to ensure continuity and preserve business value. The level of involvement is agreed during the transaction.
What types of businesses can Capital & Trust help buyers acquire?
We support acquisitions across multiple sectors, including wealth management, insurance, accountancy, fire and safety and other professional services.
Capital and Trust is a trading name of MVP Capital Limited.
