Exiting a business takes time, but it can be a smooth transition or an arduous process depending on how well you’ve planned your exit strategy. How much you get from exiting your business is also greatly determined by the measures you have taken in preparation.
Leadership has never been easy, but for UK-based SME owners and directors, the current climate may be one of the toughest in living memory. The World Uncertainty Index has reached a new record high, reflecting global instability that seeps into every corner of business life. Wars, tariffs, inflation, and fractured geopolitics are now part of the operating landscape. Meanwhile, at home, social and cultural shifts are reshaping the workplace at a pace that few could have predicted.
According to a survey published recently, a clear majority of business founders believe that the UK is still a relatively easy place to launch a business, but only 13% of respondents think it is an easy place to scale.
Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, accounting for 99.9% of the business population and over half of private sector employment. Yet despite their vital role, many small firms are struggling to scale. While access to finance, regulation, and infrastructure are frequently cited barriers, one of the most under-recognised factors limiting small business growth is the underinvestment in people - particularly in leadership and management capability.
For many small business owners, selling their company may not be top of mind in the early days. The focus tends to be on survival, then sustainability, and eventually growth. But those who build with the end in mind from the earliest stages, position themselves to create businesses that are not only successful, but also valuable, transferable assets when the time comes to exit.
The Southwest has always been a region full of creativity, resilience and ambition. From its rugged coastlines and rural heartlands to its thriving towns and cities, it is a place where enterprise takes many forms — family-owned firms passed down through generations, innovative start-ups making their mark, growing companies eager to explore new horizons, and large companies leading the world in aerospace engineering and nuclear power generation.
At the end of July, the UK Government released ‘Backing your Business: Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Business’. Key to this plan is the understanding that SMEs are the UK economy’s “engine room” and that “accelerating SME growth by just 1% a year could deliver £320 billion to the UK economy by 2030”.
Leadership is not a title, it’s a practice. It’s not about commanding others, but about bringing out the best in them—and in yourself. Whether you’re leading a small team or running a large business, improving your leadership is one of the most valuable investments you can make. But what does “better” leadership look like?
One of the most common pitfalls a leader encounters is thinking they need to have all the answers. Our experiences validate this belief; people often seek us out for decisions, guidance, and clarity. However, through my leadership journey and observations of other leaders, I’ve learned that the most effective decisions arise from posing better questions—not just any questions, but the kind that invite a wider set of perspectives, especially those we don’t usually hear.
Sustainable practices are not just about the environment, they make good business sense too, especially if you are thinking about the value of your business in preparation for your exit.
In the fast-moving world of UK SMEs, standing still is no longer a safe option. The business environment is changing too quickly — whether it’s customer expectations, technology, regulation, or supply chain dynamics. If you’re not actively growing your business, chances are you’re unintentionally slowing it down.
Critical decisions define a business's future—where to invest, when to pivot, and who to trust. Yet, behind every big call a leader makes lies a less visible, often overlooked influence: their mindset.
For small business owners in the UK, the idea of selling their business can feel like a distant ambition—especially during times of economic uncertainty. With inflation pressures, changing consumer habits, labour shortages, and market volatility continuing to impact daily operations, it’s no wonder many entrepreneurs are focused more on surviving than selling.
No matter how successful your business is today, change is inevitable. Businesses grow, stall, change direction, or sometimes fail—not just because of external forces, but often because of internal transitions they are unprepared for. Understanding these transitions is crucial to long-term success.
“Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left? Five. Because deciding is not the same as doing.”
On Tuesday 25th March, hgkc hosted the latest in our series of roundtable discussions, this time focused on business growth. The session brought together a diverse range of businesses from across Bristol and the South West, spanning from ambitious start-ups to well-established companies. Despite their varying sizes, sectors and stages of development, the common theme was clear: all were grappling with the same fundamental challenge—how to navigate the next phase of business growth.
In today's fast-paced business landscape, growth isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Whether through economic expansion, client acquisition, or technological advancements, businesses must continuously evolve to remain competitive. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital solutions is transforming industries, offering businesses new opportunities to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and foster sustainable growth.
Being entrepreneurial can often feel like a series of decisions, big and small. But it’s the big decisions - the ones that shape the future of your business - that often define the journey. These decisions can involve pivoting your business model, entering a new market, scaling operations, or even walking away from a venture entirely. They’re exhilarating, terrifying, and sometimes paralysing. The question is, how do we make these impactful decisions, and what do we do afterwards?
This blog explores these pivotal moments and the aftermath, drawing from experiences and inviting you, the reader, to share your own journey.
Our expertise is in getting to the heart of you and your business. We find the right advice when you need it. We add clarity and focus. We help keep you on track, especially when it's tough.
Lead | Grow | Exit
