This training course provides essential guidance for business owners looking to ‘exit’, Family owned businesses, and Business owners planning for retirement on how to effectively plan for the future leadership and ownership of a business. Succession planning is a critical but often overlooked aspect of business strategy – this session highlights why planning early protects value, ensures continuity, and enables a smooth transition. Participants will learn:

• What is succession planning? A practical overview of succession planning in a business context, and why it is vital for resilience, legacy, and value preservation

• Exit and transition options: Trade sale, management buy-out (MBO), employee ownership trusts (EOTs), IPO, or family succession – pros, cons, and key legal and commercial considerations

• Preparing the business for succession: Corporate governance, leadership development, valuation, and operational readiness

• Challenges in family or generational succession: Navigating interpersonal dynamics, ownership vs. management roles, and governance mechanisms to support smooth handovers

• Risk management: Tax planning, shareholder agreements, and contingency planning for unexpected events

• Case studies and practical insights: Lessons from real-life succession scenarios, including what works – and what to avoid

This course empowers key decision-makers to take a strategic and structured approach to succession, ensuring the long-term stability and success of the business.