Compare your options

Three ways to sell. Honestly compared.

There is no single right way to sell a business. Each route has strengths. Here is a plain English view to help you decide what matters most to you.

	Through a broker	To a trade buyer	Directly to The Higher League
Fees	Brokers usually charge a success fee, often a percentage of the price, sometimes with an upfront retainer.	Depends on whether you use an adviser.	No broker fee for dealing with us directly. You still use your own solicitor and accountant.
Confidentiality	The business is marketed to many buyers, though usually anonymised at first.	A competitor sees your customers, prices and staff.	One private conversation. We are happy to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Your team	Depends on who buys.	Roles that overlap with the buyer's own are often at risk.	We buy to keep the team running the business.
Your name and culture	Depends on who buys.	Often merged into the buyer's brand.	We intend to keep the name and the way you do things.
Time horizon	Depends on who buys. Funds often plan to sell again.	Absorbed for good.	We buy to hold for the long term, with no plan to resell.
Price	Competition between buyers can push the price up.	A strategic buyer may pay well for synergies.	A fair price based on the real numbers, explained openly.

Fees

Through a broker: Brokers usually charge a success fee, often a percentage of the price, sometimes with an upfront retainer.
To a trade buyer: Depends on whether you use an adviser.
Directly to The Higher League: No broker fee for dealing with us directly. You still use your own solicitor and accountant.

Through a broker: The business is marketed to many buyers, though usually anonymised at first.
To a trade buyer: A competitor sees your customers, prices and staff.
Directly to The Higher League: One private conversation. We are happy to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Through a broker: Depends on who buys.
To a trade buyer: Roles that overlap with the buyer's own are often at risk.
Directly to The Higher League: We buy to keep the team running the business.

Through a broker: Depends on who buys.
To a trade buyer: Often merged into the buyer's brand.
Directly to The Higher League: We intend to keep the name and the way you do things.

Through a broker: Depends on who buys. Funds often plan to sell again.
To a trade buyer: Absorbed for good.
Directly to The Higher League: We buy to hold for the long term, with no plan to resell.

Through a broker: Competition between buyers can push the price up.
To a trade buyer: A strategic buyer may pay well for synergies.
Directly to The Higher League: A fair price based on the real numbers, explained openly.

General guidance only. Every broker and buyer is different, so ask any party exactly what they would do.

Which fits you

We would rather you choose the right route than the wrong buyer.

you want the widest possible market and the highest headline price matters most, and you are comfortable with a longer, more public process.

a natural partner exists in your industry and you are relaxed about the business being merged into theirs.

you want a quiet, direct conversation and care about what happens to your team, customers and name after you step back.

A considered first step

If you’re thinking about retirement, succession, or stepping back, talk to a buyer who plans to keep your business, not sell it on.

No pressure. No obligation. Just an initial conversation.