This article explains what deferred consideration actually is, why it exists, how it works alongside earn-outs, and the difference between a structured, well-negotiated deal and a poorly-prepared one that quietly costs the seller a fortune.

Like most things in life, there’s a positive and a negative. I am a fan of earn‑outs as a tool to enhance the sale value, not as a lever to grind the price down. But sellers need to be alive to some of the sharper practices buyers (and their solicitors) try to build into the share purchase agreement (SPA).

The Government’s sudden reduction of the Capital Gains Tax exemption for Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transactions from 100% to 50%, with immediate effect, has raised eyebrows across the SME sector. For some, it feels like the end of an era. For This shift has not destroyed the model, it has simply stripped out the distortion. The businesses that were always suited to employee ownership will continue to see the benefits, it’s a welcome correction.

The Four Common Ways to Exit Your Business Every business owner will leave their business one way or another. You’ll either walk, sell, get pushed, or leave in a box. Those are the four outcomes and pretending otherwise won’t change the facts.

It’s a seductive narrative: a team of slick investors drops in with deep pockets, throws cash at your feet, and promises exponential growth. But when it comes to retirement exits where long-term legacy and peace of mind matter as much as the deal value, private equity (PE) may not be the shining knight it’s often made out to be.

In M&A, the numbers may shape the deal — but it’s human psychology that often decides whether it gets done. At VEXUS, we’ve spent years...

An experienced adviser doesn’t just protect your interests, they anticipate buyer tactics, keep the process watertight, and know when to step in to save a faltering deal. They qualify real buyers, keep the process confidential, and build buyer competition to secure the strongest terms.

There’s a very British habit—particularly among SME owners—of understatement. Many struggle to see the value they’ve built over years because it doesn’t show up on the balance sheet.