Exit Ahead
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
5.00pm - 7.30pm
Central London
At some point, founders, MDs and finance leaders will find themselves leading a brand through an exit. This roundtable will offer insights on what you should know well before you even consider selling. Hear from:
- Andrew Rayner, Managing Director, Nanogen (Recently acquired)
- Gillian White, Head of M&A, Howard Kennedy LLP
- More speakers to be announced
This event is designed for 20 consumer brand leaders including founders, managing directors and finance heads. Request a place using the form below.
GROWTH MOVES TO A FUTURE EXIT
An exit might be far off in your plans, but it is wise to build with that goal in mind because the growth decisions you make today will shape your future valuation. As a founder, director or finance leader, you will one day guide a business through the exit process. This session will share first-hand insight from someone who has sold a consumer brand, covering the growth moves that built its valuation, the process of making the deal, and the post-sale transition. It will also reveal the preparations leaders wish they’d made long before they even considered selling.
Q&A SPEAKERS
BUILDING A BRAND WITH EXIT IN MIND AND SUCCESSFULLY SELLING IT
Andrew Rayner, Managing Director
Nanogen
Andrew is Managing Director of Nanogen, a hair loss fibres and treaments brand sold direct-to-consumer and through marketplaces and retail partners. The business was recently acquired by a cosmetics manufacturer expanding its portfolio of consumer-facing brands. With a proven track record of scaling and exiting a consumer business, Andrew has led Nanogen's growth over the past two years, driving its sale and leading its integration into the operations of its new owner. Having taken two brands through successful exits, he brings deep, practical insight into aligning with investor timelines, building with exit in mind, and navigating the complexities of post-acquisition transition.
WHAT DIRECTORS WISH THEY'D KNOWN: LEGAL INSIGHTS FROM MULTIPLE BRAND TRANSACTIONS
Gillian White, Head of M&A
Howard Kennedy LLP
Gillian leads the M&A practice at Howard Kennedy LLP, advising both entrepreneurial ventures and large corporations on investments, joint ventures and acquisitions. The law firm has acted for a wide range of businesses across the retail, consumer and leisure sectors, including Pandora, Bimba Y Lola and Footlocker, with Gillian recently advising Vyrao on their investment from L Catterton. Gillian has deep expertise in structuring and negotiating deals. Drawing on her extensive knowledge across multiple exits, she will share the corporate legal groundwork directors often wish they had put in place well before an exit was on the horizon, and the realities of post-exit contractual obligations.
More speakers to be announced.
CHAIR
Leon Bailey-Green, Producer
Upper Clash
Leon is the founder of Upper Clash and producer of this event. He will be conducting the Q&As and chairing the group discussion.
SCHEDULE
5.00pm - Welcome & Networking: Tea, Coffee & Canapés
5.30pm - Q&As
6.30pm - Post-Q&A Networking: Drinks & Canapés
7.30pm - Close