How long does it take to sell a security business?

The typical timeline from initial conversation to completion is 5 to 9 months. The first month covers the initial conversation and valuation, with the remainder spent on buyer approaches, meetings, offers, due diligence, and legal completion. Every sale is different, and we never rush the process.

Will my staff find out I am considering a sale?

Not unless you choose to tell them. Confidentiality is the foundation of our process. We use anonymised teasers when approaching buyers, and no information about your business is shared until you have reviewed and approved each step. Your operatives, office staff, and clients will not know you are considering a sale.

What happens to my staff when the business is sold?

Their employment terms carry across either way: in a sale of the company's shares their employer does not change, and in a sale of its assets TUPE moves them to the new owner on their existing terms. Each SIA licence belongs to the officer who holds it, and a buyer will review BS 7858 screening records. Most buyers actively want to retain a trained, licensed workforce, as it is one of the most valuable assets in the business.

Is there any obligation if I have an initial conversation?

None whatsoever. The first conversation is free and completely confidential, and you can use it simply to understand what your business might be worth.

Do I need to prepare my business before speaking to you?

No preparation is needed for the first conversation. We want to understand your situation, your business, and your timeline. If you decide to proceed, we will guide you through what buyers typically want to see, including 3 years of accounts, contract and monitoring account lists, SIA licences and NSI or SSAIB certifications, and employee records.

How selling your security business works.

A structured, confidential process designed to protect your business and maximise your outcome.

From first conversation to completion.

Every sale follows the same structured process. No surprises, no ambiguity, and complete confidentiality at every stage.

First Conversation

Everything starts with a free first conversation. We want to understand your situation: why you are considering a sale, your timeline, any concerns.

Security operations desk with access control card, radio and monitoring equipment

Understanding Your Business

We take a detailed look at your operation: your SIA-licensed workforce, operative qualifications, contract and monitoring account book, recurring monitoring revenue, response fleet, and financial performance. This helps us understand what makes your business valuable and how to position it to buyers.

Engineer servicing a commercial intruder alarm and monitoring panel

Your Valuation

Based on our analysis, we provide a realistic valuation range. Manned guarding, electronic systems and a book of monitored accounts are each valued differently, so we explain the methodology and the factors driving the number. You then decide whether to proceed.

Finding the Right Buyers

We approach suitable buyers: groups owned by private equity (investment firms that buy companies to grow and sell on) building security portfolios, national security groups expanding geographically, and security firms buying to add capability or a book of monitored accounts. We put your business in front of several suitable buyers at once, so their offers compete.

Completion and Beyond

We manage negotiations, due diligence, which is the buyer's detailed check of your business, and legal coordination through to completion. In security, that means buyers verifying your monitoring account book and contract retention, your SIA licensing and BS 7858 vetting, and your accreditation status. Most owners stay on for a handover period. Your staff are protected either way: if the buyer buys your company's shares, their employer does not change, and if it buys the business's assets, TUPE, the rules your officers know from guarding contracts changing hands, moves them across on their existing terms. Your clients experience minimal disruption.

Typical Timeline

Week 1-2: Initial conversation and information gathering

Week 3-4: Valuation and positioning

Month 2-3: Buyer approaches and interest

Month 3-5: Meetings and offers

Month 5-9: Due diligence and completion

The steps above begin once you decide to sell. If that is a few years off, the Reads Pre-Sale Programme covers the preparation that comes first.

Your privacy is protected at every stage.

Throughout the entire process, confidentiality is absolute. We approach buyers with anonymised teasers, short summaries that describe the business without naming it. No information about your business is shared until you have reviewed and approved each step. Your staff, clients, and competitors will not know you are considering a sale unless you choose to tell them.

A clear, structured process.

Free First Conversation

Start with a free first conversation with Simon or Emily, in confidence. For a written, indicative view of value and what to fix first, the Business Value & Exit Snapshot is the paid next step. Buying preparation does not commit you to selling, or to selling through Reads.

Qualified Buyer Matching

Our buyer register is open to PE-backed platforms, national security groups, and established security firms looking to grow by buying others, all specifically seeking security businesses. We put your business in front of several suitable buyers at once, so they compete.

Managed Sale Process

From initial valuation through to completion, we manage every stage. Confidentiality agreements (NDAs), buyer meetings, negotiations, due diligence, which is the buyer's detailed check of your business, and legal coordination. You focus on running your business while we handle the sale.

Start with a free first conversation.

Tell us about your business and we will be in touch within two working days.

Thank you for getting in touch.

Simon Read will be in contact within two working days. Direct conversation, not a sales team. Everything you have shared is treated in the strictest confidence.