Exit Ahead
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
5.00pm - 7.30pm
Central London
This event is for 20 consumer brand leaders including founders, managing directors and finance heads. Scroll down to learn more about the speakers, see the schedule and request a place.
As a founder, director or finance leader, you will one day guide a business through the exit process. Even if that time seems far off, it is wise to build with exit in mind as the growth decisions you make today will shape your future valuation. This session will share first-hand insight from someone who has taken a consumer brand to exit, covering the growth moves that built its valuation, the workings of the deal and the post-sale transition. It will also reveal the legal, tax and wealth preparations to consider long before a sale is even on the cards.
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.
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF WEALTH PLANNING BEFORE (AND AFTER) AN EXIT
Miles Kean, Director of Private Banking, Arbuthnot Latham
Miles leads the entrepreneur division at Arbuthnot Latham, a private banking and wealth management firm, where he supports founders and business owners with tailored banking solutions and specialist advice. He works closely with company owners to navigate the transition from wealth creation to wealth preservation in the run up to, and beyond the point of exit bringing together our in house team of experts. In this session, Miles will discuss the advantages of engaging a wealth partner early in the exit process, the importance of planning for post-exit lifestyle and financial needs, and how to connect with the right advisers to optimise tax efficiency. Together, these factors play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes founders and business owners can expect from an exit.
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
REQUEST A PLACE AT THIS ROUNDTABLE SESSION
If you were sent an email invitation, please also reply to that email to confirm your place.