Testimonials

Selling my brokerage was always going to be the biggest decision of my career - and Richard made sure I didn’t face it alone.

We were regularly approached by a variety of buyers, many of which were very charming but I always got the feeling that they were always looking out for themselves over my interests.

Richard had been working alongside us for nearly two years before we even talked seriously about a sale: helping us tighten up the numbers, drive up the income, fix the things that would have been picked apart in due diligence, and get us genuinely sale-ready.

When the process started, he fronted every difficult question from the buyer's side so we could keep running the business and looking after our clients and staff.

Uniquely, Richard has no ties to any single buyer — his only loyalty was to us — and that showed at every stage of negotiation. We ended up with a deal structure, and an earn-out, that we'd never have negotiated alone. The process is complex, detailed and full of potential trip hazards.

If you're even thinking about selling, talk to Richard years before you think you need to.

I worked with Richard over a two-year period as part of a growth programme, during which his advice, support and commercial insight helped me grow my brokerage income substantially. As a result, when the opportunity arose to sell my business, appointing Richard to assist with the sale process was an easy decision.

From the initial discussions through to completion, Richard provided exceptional guidance, expertise and strategic advice. Selling a business is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and can be a complex and emotional process, but Richard offered clear direction, practical solutions and unwavering support at every stage.

Richard’s vast knowledge of the insurance broking sector, combined with his professional and collaborative approach, helped ensure a smooth transaction and a successful outcome. He was always available to offer advice, challenge my thinking when needed and provide reassurance throughout both the growth and sale process. His commercial insight and knowledge of the market were invaluable in helping me maximise the value of the business and achieve the best possible outcome.

I would have no hesitation in recommending WGNP Limited to any insurance broker looking to grow, improve business value or explore an eventual sale. Richard played a significant role in both the growth of my business and its eventual sale, helping me navigate the process with confidence from start to finish.

Selling a business that you have spent 40 years building is never going to be just a business transaction, it’s hugely personal too. Having Richard alongside Simon and I throughout that journey was invaluable.

Richard knows the independent broker market inside out. He understood the process, understood the people involved and, most importantly, understood us. He was always available with clear, honest advice, wasn’t afraid to challenge our thinking and helped us keep perspective when things inevitably became complicated or emotional.

He really was our “critical friend”, someone completely in our corner who we trusted implicitly. His experience, judgement and integrity made what could have been an incredibly stressful process so much easier to navigate.

Looking back, we genuinely couldn’t imagine having gone through the sale without him.

If you are an independent broker thinking about selling the business you have worked so hard to build, having Richard by your side is one of the best decisions you can make.

When I set up by business in 2012 I started with the end in mind. I had a 10 year plan and with the help of an incredible team around me, we worked tirelessly to achieve the business goals with a culture of togetherness. Whilst we achieved the growth goals, the prospect of selling the company which I had built from a blank sheet of paper was unnerving.

I had been working with Richard for many years prior to the sale event. He had been instrumental in helping the business to achieve its growth goals. Richard and I planned ahead for the sale of the business and before he even mapped out the process, what I will never forget is the time he spent with my wife and I in really making sure we were ready emotionally to exit. He knew what a life changing event this would be. Once we had settled into the idea of the sale, Richard listened carefully to the type of buyer I wanted to sell to. We mapped out a list of potential buyers and he described the process in detail. After selecting a buyer who matched our cultural requirements and values, Richard demonstrated the art of negotiation. He knew what to say, how to say it and who to say it to. He highlighted our financial performance, operational efficiency and cultural heartbeat in a way which was compelling to the buyer, achieving a deal which exceeded my expectations. Alongside another trusted advisor, he did all of the heavy lifting in the process, allowing me to focus on running the business for the last lap of the race. The due diligence process was heavy but necessary and I am glad we spent the time to do this thoroughly as it meant no nasty surprises after the event.

Without Richard's involvement I would never have been able to sell the business on my own whilst managing it at the same time. He guided me with great care and always with my best interests running through his veins. He is a man of remarkable abilities and above all else a very special person. Whilst I was running the business he was my 'critical friend'. Now he is just a friend and a very good one at that.

Richard has assisted and guided us through the Sales and Acquisition process on a number of occasions with a very successful outcome each time. As a broker you think that you know it all and how the exit plan and process should work. But the reality is very different and without the help of Richard and his advice I am not sure we would have ever got to the outcome we wanted.

Creating a defined exit plan and strategy is crucial for all small businesses and this is where we benefited from his support. On two separate deals they were invaluable to the results each time. One word of warning, never accept a direct approach, we had several and were sorely tempted as it caught us off guard, a planned and organised exit gave us a far better financial outcome for us and a much improved culture for our staff and clients.

If you are looking at selling or developing your own exit strategy I would greatly recommend you retain the services of the WGNP. Do not tread this path alone, having support, guidance and a friend alongside you will end in a positive experience and outcome obtained. We will always be partnered with Richard as long as we continue to trade and build value.

Selling my business was one of the most important decisions of my life. It represented two generations of hard work and sacrifice, and getting it right mattered to me more than words can express.

Over the years, I had been approached directly by several potential buyers. While there was always interest, those conversations felt heavily weighted in favour of the buyer and purely transactional. I knew what my business was worth, but I wasn't confident that I had the experience, expertise, or network to achieve the best outcome on my own.

I had known Richard for some time and always respected his judgement and integrity, so he was the first and only person I turned to for advice and support. From our very first conversation, I knew my business and the people within it were in safe hands.

Richard understood what the business meant to me personally, not just the numbers on a page. Because he understood me and what mattered most to me, he was able to assess the potential buyer objectively and give me confidence that they were the right fit for me, my team and the future of the business. He managed every stage of the process with professionalism, care, and clear communication. He handled difficult conversations calmly, kept me fully informed throughout, and ensured my family's interests and the future of the business remained the priority at every step. His honesty, patience and guidance gave me complete reassurance during what could otherwise have been a very stressful process.

The outcome exceeded anything I could have achieved alone. It did justice to everything my family had built, and I have real peace of mind knowing the business and its people are in the right hands. My team and I are delighted with the buyer, who has treated us with respect, listened to our needs and supported us through the integration process.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Richard and WGNP Limited to anyone considering the sale of their business. Whether you have been approached directly or are actively exploring your options, speak to Richard first. He will ensure you find the right buyer, secure a fair outcome, and support you throughout the journey with expertise, integrity, and genuine care.

I don't believe I would be where I am today without Richard's guidance and support.