Agency Mentors service to advise on agents' exit strategies

Respected industry trainer Adam Walker is teaming up with Iain White of Agency Mentors to offer seminars, webinars and one-to-one advice sessions for agents thinking of leaving the industry because of retirement or other personal or financial difficulties.

Walker has worked in the property sector for 35 years, including a role as managing director of Norwich Union Estate Agents before becoming a consultant, trainer and mentor. 

He has put together a series of exit strategies which aimed specifically at owners of small to medium sized agencies. 

“This is aimed at two groups. Firstly those with their own agencies and considering exiting in five to 10 years’ time and who want options - everything from selling to promoting a management buyout. For example succession planning is often overlooked but crucial to retirement and/or exit. We want our clients to have the knowledge and understanding to work on their businesses as well as in their businesses” says White, a former managing director at Romans for 22 years and also a former director at Countrywide Thames.

“The other group consists of those who may want to exit much more quickly, perhaps for financial reasons or because they’re at retirement age and want to go for family or health reasons but haven’t necessarily planned in advance for it.” 

White’s Agency Mentors service has already arranged one event in April to advise agents on this, attracting 22 independent agency operators running businesses ranging from a single-office firm to a 22-branch network. 

That is sold out so another 22-place advice event is being lined up for May.

“Together Adam and I have seen so many mistakes made by business owners that have adversely effected the tax position and indeed eventual sale price. We want our clients to avoid the many pitfalls with medium and long term strategic planning” says White. 

More details about the advice sessions are here.