Succession Planning

At Stratos, we specialise in succession planning for SMEs, owner-managed businesses (OMBs), and entrepreneurs. We take the time to understand your personal goals and business objectives, so we can develop a succession strategy that is both tax-efficient and aligned with your unique circumstances and long-term vision.

In many cases, effective exit planning involves careful pre-transaction structuring. For example, it may be appropriate to separate property assets from the trading business before the transition takes place. We’ll explore these options with you in detail and advise on the most suitable course of action to optimise your tax position and prepare your business for a smooth handover.

So if you’re thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, considering a management buyout, or exploring a company share buyback, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Collaborative Succession Planning Support

We work closely with your existing advisors such as accountants, solicitors, and wealth planners, to ensure a smooth and cohesive succession process. Our collaborative approach helps avoid miscommunication and duplication, giving you peace of mind that every detail is handled professionally.

Our experience includes advising business owners in a wide range of scenarios, such as:

• Succession where there is no external buyer and the company purchases shares directly from the exiting shareholder (known as a company purchase of own shares)
• Management buyouts where the incoming team doesn’t have upfront capital to complete the purchase and instead the consideration is funded through the future profits of the business
• Transitions to family members or long-standing employees, requiring sensitive handling and structured planning
• Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), allowing owners to sell a controlling stake tax-free while securing the long-term future of the business under employee ownership

Tax-Efficient Exit Strategies

Tax is a key consideration in any exit. We help you minimise your tax exposure by advising on reliefs such as Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief) and other relevant options.

But our support doesn’t end at the point of exit.

We can continue to advise on your personal tax planning, including Inheritance Tax strategies, to ensure your long-term financial goals are protected. We can also assist with all necessary compliance requirements post-exit, such as preparing and filing your Self-Assessment tax return and ensuring that any gains are correctly reported and supported with the appropriate documentation for HMRC.

Why Stratos?

At Stratos, we specialise in succession planning for SMEs, owner managed businesses and entrepreneurs. We assist our clients by offering expert, tax efficient solutions tailored to their specific goals. We provide clear, strategic advice supported by practical experience. We work seamlessly with your existing advisors to deliver a coordinated service and continue supporting you post-exit with inheritance tax planning and compliance, including Self-Assessment and HMRC reporting.