Plan the Exit. Own the Outcome.
Helping ambitious women to Build smart. Sell strong. Walk away winning.
Most entrepreneurs think about their exit strategy too late.
We’re here to change that.
80% of businesses put on the market never sell – and for women entrepreneurs, the gap is even wider.
The difference? Preparation. Most founders only start thinking about their exit when they have no choice – retirement, illness, an unexpected offer, or a sudden change in circumstances. By then, it’s often too late to maximise value or protect their legacy.
This event flips the script.
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and held on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Plan the Exit. Own the Outcome. is a premium gathering for ambitious women in business who want to take control early and ensure they walk away winning.
We’re bringing together:
- Game-changing keynote speakers
- Expert panels covering every aspect of a profitable exit
- Curated networking with decision-makers, advisors and investors
- Exhibitors who can get you exit-ready
Whether you plan to sell in 12 months or 12 years, this is where you start making it happen – on your terms.
Keynote Speaker – Susanna Lawson
Built It. Sold It. Now She’s Telling You How.
From bedroom start-up to multi-million-pound sale, Susanna Lawson knows exactly how to make a business irresistible to buyers. She didn’t begin with a trust fund, a big team, or an office with a view – just an idea, determination, and a spare room.
She built OneFile into the UK’s leading learning and development platform with over 2.5 million users, before selling it in 2021 to a major Canadian IT company in a multi-million-pound deal. No fluke. No lucky break. Just smart strategy, relentless graft, and playing the game on her terms.
Today, as co-founder of Circle of Trust, Susanna is lifting the lid on what it really takes to sell for the number you want – and still have the energy (and desire) to start again.
Her session will give you the inside track on:
- The key moves that drive up buyer value
- The mistakes that cost entrepreneurs millions
- How to prepare yourself (and your team) for life after exit
She’s proof you can start small, scale smart, and cash out big – if you plan it right and play it strategically.
Event Details
Wednesday 19 November, 9:30am to 2:30pm, Mercure Haydock Hotel, Penny Lane, Haydock, St Helens WA11 9SG
Event Highlights
- Keynote: Susanna Lawson – Co-founder of OneFile, founder of Circle of Trust
- Expert Panel: Valuation, Tax & Legal, Wealth & Legacy, People Strategy
- Interactive Q&A: Get direct answers from specialists and peers
- Select Networking: Founders, partners, executives, family business leaders
- Exhibitor Zone: The services every exit-ready business needs
- Premium Hospitality: Refreshments and lunch included
Event Sponsor
Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm and certified B Corp on a mission to make the difference for our clients in times of challenge and opportunity.
Their lawyers find that it can take three to five years to prepare a business for sale. That’s why the mistake so many female founders make is thinking about their exit strategy when it’s too late.
With one of the largest specialist corporate law teams in the UK, recognised as one of the country’s most active deal makers by Experian, they’re here to help you understand your exit options and what’s possible.
If you’re actively planning your exit, their experienced team can make the difference by navigating that process while achieving your personal and professional goals.
They don’t just ‘talk law’, they speak the language of business. They understand that for some clients, the sale process may simply be one of many, while for others, it could be the culmination of your life’s work. Each matter is different, and they have the resources and knowledge to match the right specialist in their team to your specific type of business and transaction.
For family-owned or closely held businesses, they can help you to develop a succession plan that ensures continuity while protecting the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build. Come and meet the team and discover how they can help you plan your exit!
Expert Exhibitors
Come along and meet experts who can help advise you and give you valuable tips and tools to put into action.
Caroline Turley is an experienced Investment Executive at FW Capital, based in Liverpool, with a proven track record of helping SMEs secure the right funding to achieve growth and strategic goals. She works closely with business owners across the North West delivering the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, providing loans from £100k to £2m to support expansion, acquisitions, and succession planning.
Intersect helps you protect your digital assets. One of the most overlooked risks to business value is cybersecurity. A single cyber incident, like a ransomware attack, a business email compromise or a data breach, can devastate your company’s reputation, cause financial loss, and dramatically reduce what your business is worth in a sale or succession.
Buyers and investors are increasingly asking about cybersecurity readiness as part of due diligence, and businesses that can demonstrate strong protection and response strategies command higher value and confidence.
A sustainable business is a more valuable business. Taking control of energy, reducing emissions and embedding net zero principles into your strategy strengthens your future and your exit potential.
As energy and sustainability partners, Trident helps businesses make that progress possible by managing energy smarter and uncovering the value sustainability can bring to long-term plans.
We are Danbro Business Accounting, UK award-winning firm of business accountants with a proven track record of helping businesses improve performance and boost profit margins.
For more than two decades, we’ve built successful relationships with start-ups, SMEs, franchises, and other businesses like yours. From simple tax returns to outsourcing your entire finance department, our expert business accountants deliver tailored solutions designed to anticipate your needs and drive growth.
HSE Advice UK assist organisations in their compliance needs from health and safety appointed persons to quality management and process control.
We offer practical advice with excellent customer service to ensure the business compliance needs are met for due diligence prior to exiting
Keane HR Consulting and Sparks HR Consultancy have joined forces to support businesswomen planning their next chapter. Whether you’re stepping back, selling up or reshaping your role, we help you to create strong succession plans, putting the right people in the right roles with the right skills to keep your business thriving; whether you’re at the helm or not. Combining Keane HR’s expertise in strong people foundations and succession planning, with Sparks HR’s focus on menopause and wellbeing, we understand that business and personal transitions often go hand in hand. We’re here to help you navigate both with confidence and care.
At Azets we pride ourselves on being the leading advisor to SME’s. Planning your exit doesn’t start at the point of sale, it starts straight away. We will work with you in order to understand your goals and objectives and will advise you on the best strategy to achieve them. We can set up accounting systems that future proof your business and align with your goals throughout every stage of your business journey. We have specialists in all areas of tax, inheritance tax, accounting, corporate finance and more, to help guide you through the final stages of exit.
CanConnect helps business owners streamline their marketing, sales, and client communication through automation, bringing everything together in one connected platform. By building smarter systems, you can create more time, consistency, and value in your business, making it easier to scale or step back when the time is right.
Who Should Be In The Room?
This isn’t a general networking event. It’s for:
- Founders who want a profitable exit plan
- Partners and executives in high-growth companies
- Family business leaders preparing succession strategies
- Investors and advisors seeking high-value collaborations
Core Content Topics
- Exit Options: Sale, merger, IPO, succession
- Valuation & Readiness: Building value & buyer appeal
- Tax & Legal: Minimising risk, maximising returns
- Wealth & Legacy: Financial freedom & impact post-exit
- People Strategy: Team retention & culture continuity
- Emotional Impact: Navigating identity & purpose after exit
Why You Should Be in the Room
For Attendees – You’ll leave with:
- A roadmap to maximise your company’s value
- Trusted contacts to support your exit journey
- Insider knowledge from those who’ve sold big
For Sponsors & Exhibitors – You’ll gain:
- Face-to-face time with decision-makers holding budget and buying power
- Brand positioning as the go-to expert in your sector
- Direct leads from ambitious, high-value companies actively seeking solutions
Secure your place now and start building the future you want. Full Day Tickets £90 incl VAT
About GEW and WED.
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)
A worldwide movement held every November in 200+ countries to celebrate entrepreneurs and foster innovation, networking, and growth. Millions take part in events, competitions, and workshops each year.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED)
A global initiative in over 140 countries celebrating, empowering, and supporting women entrepreneurs. WED shines a light on the economic and social impact of women in business and inspires action to close the gender gap.
From lead sponsorship to expert exhibitor packages, we offer high-visibility positions for brands ready to be the trusted name women turn to when planning their exit.
Event Sponsor (1 available)
Opening Address / Online Audience Survey
Panel Participation
Exhibition Space
5 tickets for lunch
Logo and bio on the webpage Personalised graphics pack with signature for marketing
Logo on Graphics
Individual Social Media Post
Logo on Presentation
Focused eletter
Follow up email
Inclusion in press release with quote
Voxpop from event
£1,950 incl VAT
Event Partner (4 available)
Panel Participation
Exhibition Space
2 tickets for lunch
Logo and bio on the webpage Personalised graphics pack
Logo on Graphics
Individual Social Media Post
Presentation slide
Highlight in eletter
£990 incl VAT
Expert Exhibitor
Exhibition Space
2 tickets for lunch
Logo on the webpage
Individual Social Media Post
Logo incl in presentation
Logo on eletter
£345 incl VAT