For anyone thinking about selling their business, the current volatile economic environment, geopolitical tensions, and shifting regulatory landscape may make Q2 2026 (April-June) look like a weak moment.
The reality is far more nuanced and worth exploring.
Although UK deal volumes fell in 2025 from 2024 levels, deal values rose by 12% (according to data from LSEG and PwC). Meanwhile, global M&A deal value finished 2025 sharply up year over year, with buyers with strong balance sheets and private equity firms sitting on years of unspent dry powder actively seeking high quality assets.
Despite lingering uncertainty, confidence among buyers in Europe is returning closer to historical averages, with technology, financial services, healthcare and energy leading activity.
In short: serious buyers are active, capital is available, and strong businesses can command excellent valuations.
So, what should prospective sellers be doing to maximise value in today’s M&A landscape?
Start planning now
There’s no getting around it: selling a business takes time. Market conditions shift, regulatory reviews may extend timelines, and buyers are increasingly rigorous in due diligence.
As 2025 illustrated, uncertainty can return quickly: tariff shocks, international conflict and changing regulations caused major slowdowns before confidence rebounded in late 2025. Starting the planning process earlier gives vendors the best chance of maintaining control and avoiding forced sales that reduce the value of the business.
Getting the most out of a sale: seven essentials
Continue to properly manage your business
For hands-on business owners, the added distraction of preparing to sell your business can be disruptive to actually running your business, introducing risk. Maintaining strong performance is even more critical in a market where buyers are discerning about which assets they pursue.
Managing your time properly and ensuring that others can step in to manage the day-to-day when you are unavailable is vital to ensuring your business remains healthy in the lead-up to a sale.
Prepare the business early
Buyers want to know that the business they are investing in is robust and will deliver a strong return. The more time you invest in actively preparing your business for a sale, the better the picture you will be able to present to potential buyers, and the smoother and quicker the due diligence process will go.
Professional and personal circumstances can change quickly. Getting ready early means there is less risk of a hurried deal, which could result in you being unable to realise the full value of your business.
Keep key employees, customers, and suppliers on board
Given global talent shortages and supply chain sensitivities, demonstrating stability in your team members and strategic relationships is a powerful way to stand out in today’s market. Buyers will have far greater confidence in the continuity of a business if they know that those tied closely to its success are committed.
Don’t delay your due diligence
With increased scrutiny, especially around AI usage, cybersecurity, and sustainability, pre-emptive due diligence on the sell side enables you to anticipate buyer concerns and negotiate from a position of strength.
Resolve tax, legal, and regulatory matters
In our experience of guiding businesses through sales, the most common issues that arise in due diligence involve tax, law and regulation. Resolving these well in advance of the sale process will help present a more appealing picture of your business and will go a long way towards reducing the time spent in due diligence.
Read more about our due diligence services
Be strategic in your marketing
We are seeing large buyers targeting fewer, more strategic transactions. Identifying the right potential buyers and understanding the best way to approach them is essential in maximising value.
Don’t overlook tax planning
With tax legislation continuing to evolve across jurisdictions, early tax structuring remains fundamental. The right structuring can influence your eligibility for reliefs, capital gains treatment, cross border tax exposures and timing of proceeds.
How BKL can help
Our corporate finance team specialise in advising privately owned businesses and their owners – entrepreneurs, shareholders and management teams – on the full breadth of corporate finance transactions. These include disposals (sales), mergers & acquisitions, disposals, due diligence and valuations. Our advice is based on a close understanding of your market and the economic conditions.
BKL’s specialists in transaction tax and deal readiness also bring expertise that will enable you to approach a sale with confidence.
For a chat about how we can help guide your business through transactions and major change, get in touch with your usual BKL contact or Daniel Shear using the form below.