Relationship-led advice for entrepreneurs
Our team of private bankers, wealth planners, and investment professionals are dedicated to helping entrepreneurs navigate this critical phase, ensuring their newfound wealth is preserved and strategically deployed for lasting impact.
Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or just starting to consider it, having the right wealth partner early in the process can make all the difference.
Why early planning matters
A successful business exit isn’t just about maximising the sale price – it’s about planning for your personal financial future. Engaging with a wealth planner two or more years before the exit allows you to explore opportunities to optimise your wealth, prepare for life post-sale, and ensure your financial legacy is secure.
As Paul Clifton, Wealth Planning Director at Arbuthnot Latham, says:
“Amid exit preparations, key elements of managing family wealth and planning for the future can be overlooked.
Don’t wait to have these conversations. Start talking to a financial planner at least two years before your exit to lay the foundations for wealth creation and long-term financial security.”

How we support you through the exit process
We take a holistic, relationship-led approach to private banking and wealth management that encompasses every stage of your business exit journey – before, during, and after. Here's how we help:
- Relationship-led advice
- Lifestyle and cashflow planning
- Estate and legacy planning
- Wealth protection
- Retirement planning
- Tax planning
- Connections
A dedicated private banker acts as your trusted financial partner, helping you navigate the complexities of wealth management and introducing specialist advisers at the right time. By understanding your unique goals, we tailor a comprehensive financial strategy that reflects your aspirations.
What to expect from your relationship team:
- Advice based on your personal objectives
- Specialist expertise and knowledge
- Valuable introductions to our network of
professional advisers - Reliable day-to-day support
- A willingness to go the extra mile
- And above all, total discretion
Exiting a business brings significant changes to your financial landscape. A wealth planner can help you understand how your lifestyle might evolve post-exit and how to manage your wealth to achieve your personal goals.
We offer cashflow forecasting to give you a clear picture of your future finances, including:
- Can you afford to exit now?
- What will your future cashflow look like?
- How can you maintain your lifestyle post-exit?
We help you plan for major life events, such as retirement, philanthropy, and new ventures – ensuring your finances align with your aspirations.
One of the key concerns after a business exit is preserving your wealth for future generations. We can guide you through the variety of estate planning strategies, including trust structures and guaranteed premium insurance.
We can also connect you with specialist advisers who cover aspects such as setting up family investment companies.
Our goal is to protect your wealth and ensure it is distributed according to your wishes, safeguarding your financial legacy.
Your personal financial security is just as important as protecting your business. We help you assess the financial impact of unexpected life events, such as illness or death, and ensure you and your family are adequately protected.
We regularly review your personal protection needs, ensuring your coverage evolves as your circumstances change.
We can also help protect your business through tailored solutions to mitigate risks, including:
- Ensuring business continuity – Protecting key individuals critical to your company’s success.
- Managing financial obligations – Ensuring business debts and director loans are repaid without putting personal wealth at risk.
- Maintaining control – Structuring ownership to prevent unwanted changes in control in case of shareholder death.
For many entrepreneurs, a business exit marks the start of a new chapter. If retirement is your goal, we’ll help you build a retirement plan that ensures a steady income stream and financial security for the long term. This includes understanding your future income needs and structuring your investments to support your lifestyle.
Proactive tax planning is essential to minimise liabilities and maximise proceeds from your business exit. We work closely with trusted tax advisers to help you navigate:
- Income tax
- Capital gains tax
- Inheritance tax
These strategies ensure that more of your wealth remains available for you and your family.
We are here to help, but please be aware that we cannot offer tax advice. We recommend you contact an independent tax adviser to discuss your personal tax situation.
Our extensive network of professional advisers – including accountants, solicitors, corporate advisers and tax specialists – can provide valuable support throughout your business exit process. We’ll introduce you to the right people at the right time to ensure every aspect of your financial plan is covered.
Our team can provide valuable insights and connections with like-minded entrepreneurs, ensuring you’re supported by a network of business owners who can add value throughout the exit process.
Beyond the sale: creating a legacy
Our role doesn’t end once your business is sold. Post-exit, we work with you to:
- Preserve and grow your wealth
- Plan intergenerational wealth transfer
- Align your investments with your long-term goals
With a focus on personal wealth management, we help you build a legacy that lasts for generations.
Start the conversation today
The best time to start planning your business exit is now. By partnering with Arbuthnot Latham early, you can maximise your opportunities and ensure your personal financial future is secure.
Let us guide you from a personal perspective across the stages of your business exit journey – from initial conversations to creating a comprehensive post-exit plan that aligns with your values and ambitions.
Get in touch to learn more about how we can support you in embracing the power of a well-planned exit.
Exclusive report
Beyond the balance sheet
Exiting a business is one of the most significant decisions an entrepreneur can make. To provide deeper insights, we’ve drawn on the experiences of over 100 UK business owners to explore the motivations behind business exits and the emotional journey that follows.
Whether you're considering an exit soon or looking ahead, our report offers valuable perspectives on the complexities of transitioning from business owner to wealth manager.