Summer Thinking
I’m now fully back in harness following ten days off to celebrate my son’s wedding. It was great to reconnect with family and friends, and events like these remind you what’s really important in life.
Right now, many IFAs are away, or have just returned from holidays, and I know from countless conversations over the years that a portion of that downtime is often spent thinking about the business. Away from the daily demands, it’s easier to reflect, sometimes with the input of family, on whether you still have the appetite for growth, the stamina for regulatory change, or whether the time might be right to move on. Those quiet moments can be when thoughts turn into plans.
If you are approaching retirement age, I would strongly encourage you to think seriously about your own future. I know many IFAs who have been wrestling with an important decision for years. Over thinking is in itself, a decision, but rarely a productive one. Sitting on the fence for too long means opportunities pass by valuations shift, or circumstances change in ways you can’t control.
In our experience, most IFAs feel a tangible sense of relief the moment they commit, whether that’s to sell or to stay. Clarity brings focus, and once the decision is made, you can channel your energy into making the very best of the path you’ve chosen.
I am sure that you will have seen the articles stating that many IFAs are preparing to sell their businesses. In fact, recent coverage points out that more than 50% of IFAs plan to sell within the next two years. That’s not a distant statistic; it reflects what I’m seeing in real time.
Why are so many IFAs stepping away?
Several factors are driving this trend including:
- Regulatory pressure: New compliance demands are ramping up costs and complexity.
- Tax implications worsening: Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) has already been reduced, and as time goes by, it’s only likely to tighten further. If you’re considering selling in 2026, planning now could be the difference between a strong exit and a disappointing one. Quite simply—if retirement is on your mind—try to complete the deal before next April.
With any sale, preparation is key. Unfortunately, selling a business isn’t a simple transaction. It’s a structured, fairly lengthy process. It involves many tasks such as assessing valuation possibilities, deciding on timing requirements, and weighing up cultural fit with any potential buyers.
A well-timed, well-informed strategy can protect the legacy and client base you’ve built. We specialise in helping IFAs make these plans.
But what if selling isn’t on your horizon?
That’s where we can also help. Whether you’re seeking to grow, adapt, or simply evolve, we offer independent consultancy to navigate change on your terms:
- Growth and development – Improve efficiency, expand your offering or client reach, or refine your business mix.
- Structural Changes – Explore partnerships, or mergers without giving up control, and on the terms you require.
- Individual planning – Each business is unique. Our role is to provide clarity, highlight all the possible routes, and help you choose the one that best fits with your values, clients, and future.
Selling may loom large in the headlines, but for many IFAs, the right choice is to stay and evolve. At Harrison Spence, our mission is simple: ensure you’re never boxed into selling if that’s not right for you.
If you’re mulling this over, whether to sell, stay, or grow, we be delighted to talk to you. As always, any first meeting is always at our expense.