Helping you build, protect and realise the value you’ve created

When the time comes to retire or move on, make sure you do it on your terms.

We help small and medium owner-managed business owners across Lincolnshire plan for a successful exit.

Whether you’re thinking of selling, passing your business to family, or stepping back from day-to-day operations we can help.

We understand that your business isn’t just an asset it’s a lifetime of work. Our role is to help you prepare, plan and protect what you’ve built, so you can exit with confidence and reward.

Take our “sell ability” quiz to see how prepared your business is to sell.

Why Exit Planning Matters

An exit doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process one that works best when started early.

Without planning, owners often leave value on the table, face unexpected tax issues or struggle to achieve a clean transition.

With the right preparation, you can:

  • Maximise the value of your business
  • Minimise tax and legal complications
  • Smooth the transition for your team and customers
  • Protect your personal wealth and peace of mind

We help you prepare for what’s next on your terms and timeline.

Our approach to exit planning
1. Understand your goals

Every exit is unique. We start early  by understanding what “success” looks like for you whether that’s selling the business, passing it on, or simply reducing your involvement.

We take time to understand your personal goals, your financial needs and your plans beyond the business.

2. Assess the business

We’ll review your financial performance, structure, systems and key value drivers.

This helps identify strengths, risks, and areas that could affect the value or attractiveness of your business to buyers or successors.

3. Build a plan

Based on where you are and where you want to be, we’ll create a tailored exit plan.

That could include:

  • Improving profitability and cash flow
  • Strengthening management and systems
  • Preparing financial forecasts and documentation
  • Planning for tax efficiency and succession
  • Dealing with any gremlins we’ve uncovered.
4. Support and implementation

We don’t just hand you a report we work with you through the process, guiding decisions, liaising with other advisers, and keeping everything on track.

You’ll always have clear visibility and control over the process.

How we help with exit planning

Our support typically includes:

  • Business Valuation & Readiness Reviews to understand your business’s current market position and what could increase its value.
  • Tax & Structure Planning Minimising tax exposure and ensuring your business is structured for an efficient exit.
  • Succession Planning. Supporting ownership transitions to family, management or external buyers.
  • Personal Wealth Planning to align your personal and business finances for life after exit.
  • We don’t just support you we lead the process on your behalf throughout the sale, negotiation and transition process.

Who we work with

We work with owner-managed businesses across Lincolnshire who:

  • Are thinking about selling in the next few years
  • Want to start planning their exit within the family or management team
  • Need clarity on what their business is worth
  • Want to exit but aren’t sure where to start

Whether you’re five years out or already in discussions, we’ll help you make informed decisions at every step.

Why Nicholsons

We’re more than accountants we’re partners who care about your long-term success.

Our experienced advisory team combines financial insight with real-world understanding and experience of what it takes to sell a business.

We’ll help you navigate the technical details and emotional decisions with confidence and clarity.

In the last five years we’ve helped clients through over £50m of transactions (buy and sell) so have the confidence and experience to support and advise you.

Exit Planning 7

“We worked with Nicholsons on a transaction and would definitely like them on our side if we were doing a transaction. The level of strategic thinking and creativity they showed in achieving a “win win” deal structure was outstanding.”

Exit Planning 6

“We’d worked with Nicholsons for over 15 years and when it came to sell we wanted them by our side. Whilst we worked with another lead advisor the Nicholsons team significantly contributed to the deal structure identifying ways to structure the deal in a win win way that others hadn’t. They were also there to help with the jargon. Total deal size £38m”

Exit Planning 5

“Nicholsons CF assisted with two acquisitions in three months. Not only did they support with the financial DD but they supported us at a strategic level contributing to the decision making process. Total deal size £11m”

Exit Planning 4

“Nicholsons due diligence was so extensive and in depth the seller said they’d learnt things about their business.”

Exit Planning 3

“When the transaction got tough Nicholsons leant in and helped us with what was becoming a very emotionally charged situation. We completed with a life changing exit value of £2m”

Exit Planning 2

“Nicholsons supported us through a difficult sale process helping us achieve a £1.5m exit value. They clearly knew what they were doing and were robust in negotiations with the buyer and their advisors helping shape a win win for both sides”

Exit Planning 1

“Nicholsons helped me achieve a £3m exit value for my business which was over my most hopeful target. They supported us through the process, explaining the jargon and pulling the various advisors together”

Trusted by Lincolnshire business owners

For decades, Nicholsons has helped local business owners plan for success and for what comes next.

Our approach is straightforward, supportive and always focused on what matters most to you.

Thinking about your next chapter?

Let’s start the conversation early with a relaxed discussion about how we can make all the difference when the time comes to move on.