Selling a Business in the UK: Valuation, Process and Tax
By Bill Anderson, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, Assetica — 2026-05-02
How to value a UK business for sale, find buyers, manage due diligence, structure the deal, and the tax that decides what you keep.
Start With an Independent Valuation
An independent valuation sets a credible asking price, prevents undervaluation, and gives you evidence to defend the price through due diligence. UK businesses typically sell at a multiple of normalised EBITDA, varying by sector, growth and risk.
Prepare, Find Buyers, and Negotiate
Clean audited accounts, reduced owner-dependency, and de-risked contracts raise both the multiple and the certainty of completion. Buyers are strategic or financial, and most professional sale processes run confidentially under NDA with a structured, competitive approach.
Structure and Tax
The deal can be a share sale or an asset sale, with very different tax outcomes. Business Asset Disposal Relief can reduce the capital gains tax rate on qualifying disposals. Deferred consideration and earnouts shift risk and timing. Advice here protects what you keep, not just the headline price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my UK business worth?
Typically a multiple of normalised EBITDA, varying by sector, growth and risk, cross-checked against comparable transactions. An independent valuation gives you a defensible figure for negotiations.
Should I do a share sale or an asset sale?
It depends on the buyer, the business, and the tax position. Share sales are often more tax-efficient for sellers; asset sales can suit buyers. Independent advice weighs the trade-offs.
How long does it take to sell a UK business?
Most sales take six to twelve months from preparation to completion, longer for complex businesses. Starting early and preparing well shortens the process and protects value.
Speak to Assetica about Business Sale & M&A Advisory
Assetica is an independent business valuation firm in Dubai. We do not audit and we do not broker deals, so the number carries no conflict. Read more about business sale & m&a advisory, or book a free scoping call. Standard reports are issued in five to seven business days.