Succession planning is a significant challenge facing Welsh business owners today, with it reported that 43% of SME’s do not have a succession plan in place and 29% of businesses have been in the same ownership for 21 years.

GS Verde Group, a Wales headquartered business, are specialists in exploring all options available to business owners wanting to plan for their succession, by helping business owners to understand which deal type would best suit the business owner.

With the recent announcement that the Development Bank of Wales has launched a new £40 million Wales Business Succession Fund (WBSF), now may be the perfect time for Welsh businesses to consider their options.

The fund is backed by the Welsh Government and the Clwyd Pension Fund, with the aim to support management buy-outs (MBOs) and management buy-ins (MBIs) across Wales, with a view to keeping successful Welsh businesses in Welsh hands as owners retire or plan their exits, ensuring continuity, stability, and economic growth across the country.

What is the Wales Business Succession Fund?
The Wales Business Succession Fund has been created to support Welsh businesses, with a view to keeping businesses in Wales and maintain jobs in Wales. It provides flexible funding packages, typically between £500,000 and £5 million; to enable management teams or new investors to take ownership.
The fund builds on the success of a previous £25 million fund launched in 2019, which supported 26 management buyouts and safeguarded more than 700 Welsh jobs.

The importance of planning the best route
Succession is an important consideration for any business owner.
Types of exit routes can vary from Management Buy-Out/Management Buy-In, through to Trade Sale, Employee Ownership, or Private Equity sale.

The best route will vary from business to business, and it is important to get the right advice, so as to consider the sector appetite, tax impact, legacy desires for the owner, funder landscape, or potential buyer pool if exiting to a 3rd party.

GS Verde has a unique One Team approach, combining Corporate Finance, Tax and Law advisory services, to ensure that a business owner can be aware of all of the above scenarios, so that the best route can be explored and executed.

How GS Verde can help
At GS Verde, we work closely with business owners and management teams to guide them through every stage of the succession process. Whether you’re considering a management buy-out, looking to bring in a new management team, or planning your own exit strategy, our team can help assess whether the Wales Business Succession Fund could be utilised for your specific circumstances.

We support clients by evaluating eligibility, structuring transactions, preparing financial documentation, and liaising directly with funders like the Development Bank of Wales to help secure the right funding package. We also ensure your business is “investor-ready” with strong governance, clear financials, and a strategic plan for the future.

Get in touch with our team by filling out the form below to start your succession plan.