How much is your business really worth to a buyer and how much of that value sits in things that never appear on a balance sheet?

In this second instalment of our series on maximising business value ahead of a sale, Helen Goss from the Boyes Turner employment team is joined again by Rebecca Woolmington of HR Central. Where Part 1 looked at organisational structure, succession planning and getting contracts in order, this episode turns to the softer but no less scrutinised areas of a due diligence process: culture, engagement, communication, legal risk and post-sale transition.

Helen and Rebecca discuss how a prospective buyer forms a view of your culture (sometimes within minutes of walking through the door), why exit interviews and grievance patterns tell a story the C-suite doesn't always want to hear, and how open communication becomes critical and fragile the moment a sale is on the horizon. They also cover the practical legal risks that can quietly erode value, from minimum wage and holiday pay slip-ups to undocumented conversations, health and safety for hybrid workers, data security and AI policies.

Whether you're planning an exit in six months or five years, this episode is a practical guide to putting your best foot forward.

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