Chadwicks Masterclass - Life Planning

The Strategic Exit Programme – Building an “Owner-Independent” Asset

19 May 2026, 3.30pm - 6.00pm, In person

Ashtons Legal, Fornham Business Court, The Drift, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 1SL

Guiding SME Founders, Owners, and Directors through confident, well-planned exits.

The 3-Year Runway

A premium exit isn’t a transaction that happens on a single day; it is a transformation that takes place over years. The Strategic Exit Programme is a three-part workshop series designed specifically for established SME founders, owners, and directors who are ready to transition from a founder-led business to a management-led company.

Why this session?

The first step to a confident exit is ensuring the business can thrive without you. This opening session is a practical exploration of leadership resilience. We focus on strengthening your management team, identifying “single points of failure,” and reducing the business’s reliance on the founder.

The goal is simple: to build a more robust, attractive, and valuable asset that operates and grows without your constant involvement.

Introducing our speakers

• Richard Ross – With over 30 years’ advisory experience, helping business owners navigate succession, exit planning, and long‑term value creation.
• James Bacon – A Chartered Financial Planner, helping clients align their money with their values to build and protect long‑term wealth.

In partnership with Ashtons Legal

• Nick Palmer– A Partner in the corporate and commercial team, advising owners on de-risking operations, assignable contracts, and legal readiness.
• Richard Guy – A Partner in the lifetime planning team, protecting wealth post-exit through robust trusts, inheritance tax mitigation, and inter-generational structures.

What this is…

A supportive peer environment. We believe the real value lies in small, closed-group discussions. To maintain a safe space for leaders at a similar stage, we limit each cohort to a maximum of 15 participants. You will test ideas and gain perspective alongside peers who understand the unique weight of ownership.

What this is not…

… a retirement seminar!

Is this for you?

If you are leading an established business and want to move from “Chief Problem Solver” to “Strategic Architect” of your exit, this programme is built for you. Register your interest to find out more and reserve your place.