Thursday 19 March 2026 | 9:30-13:30 | Wakefield Trinity RLFC, Doncaster Road, Wakefield WF1 5EY
If you’re planning to exit your business in the next two to seven years, the decisions you make now will determine your valuation, your negotiating power and ultimately, your freedom. This founder‑focused session reveals the five essential levers that drive exit value, and how to pull them early enough to make a meaningful difference.
This exclusive event is designed for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want to maximise their sale price, reduce deal risk and ensure they exit on their terms, not the buyer’s.
Why Attend?
The most successful exits don’t happen by luck — they are the result of early preparation, clean governance, strong leadership alignment, strategic tax and financial planning, and a business that is genuinely attractive to buyers.
Whether your exit is approaching or still in the planning phase, this session gives you clarity on the actions that move valuation, the pitfalls that destroy it and the frameworks that lead to a smoother transaction.
You’ll hear directly from a multidisciplinary panel of experts who have guided hundreds of founders through high‑value exits, followed by a live Q&A where you can explore your own timing, options, and personal objectives.
After the session, delegates are invited to a behind‑the‑scenes stadium tour, offering exclusive access beyond the matchday experience.
Expert Panel
Marc Allison & Abigail McGarry — Weightmans
Marc Allison, Head of Owner‑Managed Businesses, and corporate solicitor Abigail McGarry, will reveal what true “sale‑readiness” looks like long before a deal is on the table.
They’ll share:
- the practical steps founders must take early to strengthen valuation
- the commercial and legal red flags that can kill a deal or weaken your position
- how to prepare for due diligence so it becomes an accelerator, not a blocker
- the full journey from planning to completion — and what to expect at each stage
If you want to de‑risk your exit and negotiate from a position of strength, their insights are essential.
Luke Lodge — Evelyn Partners
Luke works with founders to help them unlock the true value of what they’ve built, not just at exit, but in the crucial years leading up to it.
He will discuss:
- how to structure your personal and financial world for a successful exit
- strategies to elevate valuation and reduce deal risk
- how to turn a lifetime’s work into long‑term financial freedom
- what founders often overlook when preparing for the biggest financial moment of their lives
Luke ensures that when owners exit, they do so with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Liam Prendergast & Mark Williams — The Alternative Board
People are one of the most powerful and most frequently overlooked drivers of exit value.
Liam and Mark will explore:
- how leadership alignment can transform buyer confidence
- the practical steps to reduce dependency on the founder
- how culture, accountability, and team development increase valuation
- why your people strategy could make or break your exit
If buyers believe the business relies too heavily on you, your value drops. This session shows you how to fix that.
Justine Stalker — Claritas Tax
Justine works with shareholders to help them maximise the value they receive on exit, while also ensuring that the tax aspects of a deal are as streamlined and stress‑free as possible. In reality, the most favourable tax outcomes are usually shaped years before a sale is even agreed.
Justine will outline:
- the tax traps that quietly erode value for founders
- the structuring decisions that materially influence net proceeds
- how to avoid unexpected liabilities and protect your personal position
- proactive planning strategies to maximise your financial outcome at exit
Richard Tamlyn — Bluestone
Cash, debt and investment decisions have a major impact on how buyers assess your business.
Richard will cover:
- how to use finance to continue growing without compromising liquidity
- how to structure borrowing to preserve flexibility at exit
- what buyers look for when assessing financial resilience
- how to avoid being “asset rich, cash poor” at the worst possible time
Ready to Maximise Your Exit?
If you want to:
- elevate your valuation
- reduce deal risk
- strengthen buyer confidence
- avoid costly surprises
- secure your personal and financial future
…this event gives you the roadmap.
