Preparing Your IFA Business for Sale

Preparing Your IFA Business for Sale: What to Do 3–5 Years Before Exit, with Giles Dunning

Giles Dunning, Joint Head of Corporate at Stephens Scown, shares practical guidance on preparing an IFA business for sale — from building value and choosing an exit route to avoiding deal risks and managing the post-sale transition. Giles has completed over £900m in recent transactions

We will discuss:

1. How and when to start preparing an IFA business for sale – and why early planning materially impacts value.

2. How advisory firms are typically valued and the practical steps that can strengthen that valuation.

3. The main succession and exit routes available to IFAs, including EOTs, MBOs and family buyouts.

4. Common transaction risks and pitfalls – and how to avoid unpleasant surprises during a sale.

5. What happens after completion, including earn-outs, payment timing, tax considerations, and the impact on clients and staff.

60 Structured CPD Applicable. For Financial Professionals Only

Giles Dunning | Joint Head of Corporate at Stephens Scown

Giles Dunning is a partner and joint head of our Corporate team having joined the firm in 2006. Recent highlights include the disposal of a financial services intermediary to Fidelity International and also the disposal of an independent financial planning business to Paradigm Norton.

Giles has consistently acted on sell-side disposals of IFA practices since 2013, representing in excess of 25 vendors over 13 years. Our most recent completed transaction was a disposal to Shackleton involving £900m of AUM, where he acted for the vendors of the Chetwood Group.

Ashley Owen, Head of Business Development at ebi

Ashley Owen is Head of Business Development at ebi Portfolios. Joining in 2020, Ashley is the main point of contact for any new adviser enquiries, introducing ebi and presenting the solutions offered. 

Ashley has a background in investments and wealth management, both in the Channel Islands and London, having spent time at an exclusive wealth manager advising UHNW clients with a minimum net worth of £100m, over seeing DFM operations, conducting fund due diligence and maintaining client relationships. 

Ashley previously worked at AES International, covering positions of Head of Investment Strategies, helping centralise their investment proposition, and as Associate Director, coaching advisers on building their business.