Commentators are busy speculating on the content of the Autumn Budget, ahead of the Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves statement tomorrow. Crucially, if you own a privately-held company valued between £5 million and £50 million EV, this is a time to plan — not to procrastinate, or worse, panic.

Particularly, as any legislative changes could directly affect those planning to sell or transfer ownership of their business in the next few years. Thoughtful preparation can ensure that, whatever the Chancellor announces, you remain positioned to protect and maximise your company’s value.

But now the first set of Budget proposals sent to the UK fiscal watchdog – including an income tax increase – have been kicked to the curb, effectively sending Reeves back to the drawing board.

The Landscape Ahead of the Budget

The Government faces a c. £30bn black hole in public finances and with public spending pressures mounting, new revenue sources are expected to feature prominently in this Budget. At has been widely reported that the Chancellor was poised to hike income tax by 2p whilst cutting national insurance by the same amount in a move that would break Labour’s pledge to not raise taxes on ‘working people.’ As this seems to have now been abandoned, Analyst speculation seems to have turned to:

• Revisions to Inheritance Tax rules and pension reliefs
• Freezes to income, VAT, or NI thresholds, leading to “fiscal drag” for business owners
• Rumoured changes to council tax, a possible mansion tax, or levy on high-value assets
• Potential incentives for investment and growth, offset by tighter wealth-related taxation

While these changes could impact exit planning and net sale proceeds, demand for quality UK businesses remains strong, particularly in the £5m–£50m EV range where private equity, family offices and international acquirers continue to seek resilient, scalable companies.

Three Steps to Take:

1. Establish a Clear, Market-Based Valuation

Understanding what your business is worth in today’s market is crucial. A professional valuation provides a benchmark, clarifies potential deal ranges, and highlights opportunities to improve value drivers before you sell.

EvolutionCBS’s bespoke Valuation Service delivers this clarity, using real-world data and market comparables. Our deal team will prepare a full Valuation Report providing an in-depth analysis of your business’s value, factors affecting its value, and potential areas for improvement, creating a detailed basis for negotiation and decision-making.

2. Strengthen Your Exit Readiness

Legislation may change overnight — but business fundamentals take time to optimise. Focus now on areas that directly affect buyer confidence:

• Sustainable earnings and margins
• Contract quality and client diversification
• Second-Tier Management depth and governance
• Accurate and transparent financial reporting

Prepared businesses don’t just sell faster — they command higher multiples and better exit terms.

3. Prepare for the unexpected.

You can’t predict Budget outcomes or the future impact of legislative change, but you can plan for them. This could include seeking professional tax advice to plan for Capital Gains Tax liabilities or exit-planning to ensure the timing of the sale is proactively managed.

A clear exit strategy — aligned to both personal and corporate goals — gives you flexibility to act decisively in the face of any political, economic, social or technological changes.

Giving sufficient time and energy to choosing the best advisor to help you prepare for your sale is also a very worthwhile exercise. There are many one-man bands, accountants and other companies that purport to be proactive business sale advisors, however many have a limited or poor track record of deal completions.

Timing Your Sale: What 6 Months to 3 Years Really Means

Every business sale takes time — typically six months to three years from initial preparation to completion. Starting early allows you to optimise value drivers, plan for tax efficiency, and choose your moment carefully. Even if you’re years from exit, commissioning a valuation report and readiness review today helps you act with confidence when the timing and market align.

Preparation Equals Power

As Mike Whittle, Managing Director of EvolutionCBS, often reminds clients:

“You can’t time the market, but you can control your readiness. When legislation shifts, the prepared business owner always wins. An M&A advisor will do the crucial work of helping you prepare for the sale process, including creating a compelling Information Memorandum, producing an accurate financial analysis of the business (with relevant forecasts) and deciding upon which potential acquirers should be targeted.”

At EvolutionCBS, our Premium Guided Service ensures every client understands their company’s current value, areas for enhancement, and the timing options available. That clarity makes all the difference — especially when fiscal policy changes are imminent.

In Summary

• Be proactive, not reactive. Start planning/reviewing your exit strategy today.
• Get an accurate company valuation — it’s the foundation for every informed decision.
• Optimise your business before the market reacts to policy changes.

Whatever the Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves announces, the best-prepared businesses will continue to achieve strong results and premium sale valuations.

Let’s Start the Conversation

If you’re considering an exit in the next 6 to 36 months, or simply want to understand how the Autumn Budget might affect your plans, our experts can help.

fraser.hodgkiss@evolutioncbs.co.uk
Get In Touch
www.evolutioncbs.co.uk
07957 834506
0118 959 8224