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In my experience, founders often appoint the EOT trustee they feel most comfortable with. Later, they may wish they had appointed the person who made them feel slightly uncomfortable. That is not because an effective trustee should be difficult or confrontational. It is because there will be times when the EOT needs someone prepared to […]

If you are thinking about your exit, your starting assumption may well be a trade sale. It is the most familiar route. A buyer, a negotiation, a completion date. You sell the business, receive the consideration and hand over control. (Oh, that it was always that simple!) But for many business owners, particularly those who […]

So you are thinking about the best exit for you and your business. You may already have considered a trade sale or even a sale to a private-equity-backed business, but rejected those options because protecting your legacy matters and because you want your successor management team to be well looked after. Previously we have examined […]

vfdnet is strengthening its network of associate finance directors and financial controllers, expanding into new regions, and launching a new EOT trustee portal for Employee Ownership Trusts seeking a financially experienced independent trustee for their board. The growth comes from six of FinanceHeads members choosing to join vfdnet. After 16 successful years, the owners of […]

Leo Hickish, Chairman and Director at Batcheller Monkhouse, Shares His EO Journey with James Shand at vfdnet. Q: Before we talk about the transition itself, could you paint a picture of Batcheller Monkhouse before the move to employee ownership — the culture, the team, and where the business was in its lifecycle? A: We were […]

You’ve put years of graft into building your business. Long days, late nights, endless decisions – it’s more than a business, it’s your legacy. That’s why, when the time comes to sell, the last thing you want is to see its value slashed – or worse, a deal fall through – simply because you weren’t […]

You might already be an FD on paper — leading a finance team, reporting to the board, managing cash, driving strategy. But here’s the truth: what SME business owners really need from a portfolio FD is something very specific — experience in preparing for and delivering a business sale. That could be a trade sale, […]

Transitioning your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) can be an incredibly rewarding move, but it’s not without risks. While an EOT offers stability, tax advantages, and a lasting legacy, the process is complex. Without proper due diligence, business owners can find themselves facing unexpected legal, financial, and operational challenges. Understanding what could go […]

Transitioning your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) can be an incredibly rewarding move, but it’s not without risks. While an EOT offers stability, tax advantages, and a lasting legacy, the process is complex. Without proper due diligence, business owners can find themselves facing unexpected legal, financial, and operational challenges. Understanding what could go […]

Transitioning your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) can be an incredibly rewarding move, but it’s not without risks. While an EOT offers stability, tax advantages, and a lasting legacy, the process is complex. Without proper due diligence, business owners can find themselves facing unexpected legal, financial, and operational challenges. Understanding what could go […]

Grapevine are a full-service IT and communications support provider. Brian Vockins was one of the key owners and sought an alternative to a business sale as his exit strategy. He wanted to leave a good legacy and an Employee Ownership Trust was his choice. Brian shares his story and his reasons for choosing to become […]

Are you a business owner looking to elevate your company to the next level? Need the expertise from an FD but not ready to employ one? Consider the benefits a Fractional CFO, or part-time FD, could bring to your business. Why Outsource Your Financial Director (FD)? Owner-managed businesses often reach a stage where they need […]

vfdnet were the sponsors at the recent Oxford Finance Leaders Forum where the focused topic was the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in commercial finance and accountancy. As a sponsor James Shand spoke for ten minutes about vfdnet and the benefits of being an associate. Then James handed over to vfdnet Financial Controller Associate, Conrad […]

Are you a seasoned finance professional wondering, “Could I be a fractional CFO?” or asking, “What is a fractional CFO?” If so, you’re in the right place! At vfdnet.com, we connect skilled finance experts with ambitious SMEs and owner-managed businesses in need of their expertise and leadership on a flexible basis. Let’s explore what it […]

Imagine the first glorious hour of a sunrise early in the morning or the precious last hour of sunlight where everything appears in a softer, subtler hue. It’s not something I am able to enjoy every day but when I do it’s a moment of reflection and stillness. What I refer to as The Golden […]

Embarking on an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) or a Management Buyout (MBO) as an exit option has become popular for business owners. The choice reflects your values and commitment to the long-term success and sustainability of your business. However, the journey isn’t without challenges, particularly be aware of a potential gap in leadership and skills […]

Barry King joined vfdnet as an Associate FD in 2016. He met James Shand nearly a year before that, he shares his journey from the point of deciding on a portfolio finance career. Are you at a junction in your finance career considering if a portfolio route is the right next step for you? Read […]

Will Marr is a vfdnet Associate FC. He’s been an associate since 2019 and recently started mentoring under James Shand’s wing to learn ‘real-life’ about options for business exits with a focus to date on Employee Ownership Trusts.  vfdnet are seeing a real interest in EOTs alongside MBOs and where a trade sale isn’t the […]

When it comes to selling a business, owners have various options available to them. Two methods of business sale that have gained popularity are Management Buyouts (MBO) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT). Proving a trade sale is no longer the only or obvious option. An Employee Ownership Trust, requires a minimum of 51% of your […]

In an Employee Ownership Trust deal the focus can often be on getting the best deal for the business owner. Everyone’s keen once a decision has been made to complete a sale to employees that they lose sight of the importance of ensuring all stakeholders’ interests are included in the EOT agreement. Our Virtual FDs […]

So, you’re the Finance Director of a company that’s on the verge of a major transaction. You have been at the core of the process from due diligence, preparing all the finance documentation and working closely with the legal counsel. It’s been pressured, and your life has been overtaken by work. You’re about to complete. […]

Working out if leaving your FD role in a business for a portfolio finance career is right for you or not, is a big decision. At vfdnet we want to help you make the right decision for you based on key facts and weighing up the pros and cons. Perhaps you are considering voluntary redundancy, [...]

We're all experiencing a rise in the cost of living but how does this impact businesses? At vfdnet we see first-hand how increased costs are affecting our clients' businesses every day and we help them to navigate any long-term negative effect on the value and success of the business. How to best navigate these potential [...]

Nick was a successful CFO and Finance Director seeking a change. He contacted James at vfdnet in December, after finding us on Google, to enquire about joining as an associate. This was his first step toward a portfolio finance career. After working as a Finance Director for several years it was time for a change. [...]

James Shand is an experienced Virtual Finance Director and owns vfdnet, here he shares mistakes he wishes he’d been told to avoid when starting his portfolio finance career 18 years ago. What I wished I’d known when I stepped into the portfolio FD world The variety and independence of being a portfolio FD are great, […]

So, what should you expect of a really good Financial Controller compared to an experienced part-time Finance Director? Are your Finance Function issues down to an under-performing FC or do you need a part time FD to act as a sounding board?  This newsletter should give you a good idea about what to expect of [...]

This is the second in a mini series of newsletters on business succession, the first was on Business sale via a trade sale, whereas this one focusses on buyouts by managers.  Business owners can often put off thinking about business succession, however we are all mortal and there are many horror stories of businesses left to widows [...]

This is the first in a mini series of newsletters on business succession, addressing the trade sale route, buyouts by managers, and transfer to employee ownership (the so-called John Lewis model).  Business owners can often put off thinking about business succession, however we are all mortal and there are many horror stories of businesses left [...]

Here are the key stages of a Managemet Buy Out. Evaluation of the Management Team – Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses to determine…

How do you make your business more resilient? Here are our top tips to make your business more resilient…

Bank Business Loans and Financing. What are the lending criteria for Banks? How can you best present your business to a Bank? What are the alternatives?

Strategy – Assessing the risks of Growth: Strategic business plans – strategic planning and advice for startup businesses from qualified finance directors

Brexit workshop: How will Brexit impact my business? Strategic business planning and advice for startup businesses from qualified finance directors…

Increasing the size of your business can be a significant factor in improving how others will value it. Businesses which are marginally profitable will…

The loss of a key manager is always a big event in SME businesses. At the very least it will lead to short term pressure, considerable senior…

Companies which are seeking to grow by acquisition will be constantly looking at quite a number of ‘possible targets’ at any one time…

Many businesses will sail ‘close to the wire’ on occasions as circumstances don’t always turn out as expected. However what is the difference between…

All businesses need to grow their sales, so called organic growth, however many business owners may become frustrated at the length of time or the…

If you don’t know where you are going how will you know when you have arrived? You may know that you need a Business Plan, or have an old plan that has…

In a recent CBI survey of small and medium sized business managers, although only 12% have experienced a tightening in bank credit to date, a further 53%…

A Management Buy Out (MBO) is simply the acquisition of a business by its existing management team, usually backed by external funding sources and so…

With the CBI lowering its growth forecast for 2009 to just over 1%, and BDO Stoy Hayward forecasting Business Insolvencies rising by 18% next year…

In a contracting market once you have restructured your business to fit lower demand how else can you protect your business for the future? Large…

You may be contemplating an acquisition or even considering selling your business to your Management Team via an MBO (see our earlier newsletter..

There are many reasons why a business valuation may be needed, including buying a business, selling a business or even organising a Management Buy Out…

How can you align the objectives of key managers with the Business Owners agenda? Most Business Owners strive to build the value of his or her business…

With business confidence at a new low, the temptation is to put off strategic decisions. However your competitors may have been studying the market for a…

As Virtual or part time Finance Directors we are passionate to help make deals happen, which is why it is incredibly frustrating when deals fall down…

Understanding what Due Diligence is all about, when it is employed and what the objective is will help you be better prepared. If you are thinking of…

vfdnet has progressed a long way since starting out in 2003 and it has been very revealing asking clients what they really value about what we do…

Having business owners with shared vision and values is one thing, but ensuring that your objectives and timeframe are also in harmony is essential to…

How do you measure your business performance? Do you have finely tuned measures in place which tell you whether performance is on track? Or do you run..

With business sellers expectations more moderate today than at any time over the last 6 years, Game Plans for Growth is running a series of 3 newsletters…

This Game plans for growth we are looking at some of the typical fraud warning signs to look out for, as well as reviewing some basic strategies to…

“If you owe your bank £1m, you are at his mercy. If you owe him £1bn, he is at your mercy” – a quote from John Maynard Keynes in 1947, (updated for…

What gets measured gets done. If you don’t have a well thought through plan as to where your business is going you won’t reach your destination on time…

There is nothing like giving your employees a share of profits to attract their attention and motivate them to helping achieve your goals. Well designed…