The IFA Exit Planning Guide
How to Protect Your Legacy and Exit on Your Terms in 2026
A comprehensive guide for Independent Financial Advisers managing £20M-£300M in assets who care about legacy as much as price
After spending 20, 30, or 40 years building your financial advisory practice, you deserve an exit strategy that:
✓ Rewards you fairly for the business you’ve built
✓ Protects the clients who trusted you
✓ Preserves the reputation you’ve earned
✓ Provides clarity and confidence about your future
But finding the right buyer isn’t simple. Private equity firms promise big numbers but often deliver culture clash and client disruption. National consolidators treat you as just another acquisition number.
This free guide shows you exactly how to navigate your 2026 exit successfully.
✓ Instant download | ✓ Completely confidential
WHAT'S INSIDE THE GUIDE
Everything You Need to Plan Your Exit Successfully
This 50-page comprehensive guide covers every aspect of selling your IFA business, from initial valuation to final completion.
Chapter 1:
Understanding Your Business Value
Current market multiples, key value drivers, and realistic valuation examples for practices managing £20M – £300M AUM.
Chapter 2:
Types of Acquirers
The critical differences between Private Equity, National Consolidators, and Strategic Acquirers like AWI.
Chapter 3:
Preparing Your Business for Sale
The 12 to18 month preparation timeline that maximises value.
Chapter 4:
The Sale Process Timeline
Month-by-month breakdown of what to expect from initial contact to completion.
Chapter 5:
Tax and Legal Considerations
Share sale vs. asset sale, Business Asset Disposal Relief qualification.
Chapter 6:
Communicating with Clients and Staff
When to tell clients, how to tell them, and specific scripts for key conversations.
Chapter 7:
Life After the Sale
Complete retirement vs. continued involvement options.
Chapter 8:
Why AWI Services Is Different
Our philosophy on legacy preservation and flexible deal structures.
Chapter 9:
Your 90-Day Action Plan
Step-by-step checklist to get your exit planning on track.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Is This Guide Right for You?
This guide is specifically written for IFA business owners who:
- Operate as solo practitioners or with small teams (2-5 advisers)
- Manage between £20 million and £300 million in assets under management
- Are considering retirement or significant life change within the next 1-3 years
- Have no obvious internal succession option
- Care deeply about what happens to their clients after the sale
- Are looking for a strategic acquirer, not just the highest price
- Those seeking immediate sale (within next 3 months)
Download Your Free Guide + Request Your Business Valuation
Get instant access to the complete Exit Planning Guide and optionally request a confidential business valuation from AWI Services.
What Happens Next
Step 1: Instant Access – You’ll immediately receive an email with the download link.
Step 2: Review at Your Pace – The guide is yours to keep. No pressure.
Step 3: Optional Valuation – A member of our team will contact you within 48
hours.
Step 4: Free Consultation – Schedule a free 30-minute consultation anytime.