What's my business worth today?
A concise, specialist indication of value for UK owner-directors - delivered in 2 business days. Before you commission a full report, hire an adviser or start a conversation with a buyer.
- Senior valuer, not delegated
- Concise, confidential PDF view
- £950 credited against a full report
- No transaction required
Why we built the Strategic Value Review
Most UK SME owners face the same recurring question: "roughly, what is my business worth?" - long before any transaction, share scheme or estate planning conversation is on the table. Yet the market only offers two extremes: free online calculators that miss the specifics of a private UK company, or full HMRC-facing valuation reports that can cost £2,000 to £5,000.
The Strategic Value Review sits deliberately in between. It is a short, focused engagement - anchored in the same methodology we use for HMRC-facing work, delivered in 2 business days, at a fixed fee of £950. Enough substance to make a decision. None of the scope, cost or friction of a full report.
It exists so that succession conversations, exit timing decisions, Growth Share feasibility studies and internal board reporting can start from an informed, defensible number - not a guess.
How it works
Three steps, two business days, one fixed fee.
Short call and information request
A 15-minute call to confirm the context (succession, exit, share scheme, planning) and a concise list of accounts and figures we need.
Focused valuation work
We apply the methodology most relevant to your business - earnings multiples benchmarked to UK listed comparables and recent SME transactions, cross-checked with asset value where appropriate.
Concise written view of value
You receive an indicative value range, the key drivers, the main sensitivities and clear commentary - delivered within 2 business days.
Right for you if...
- You're an owner-director who wants to know what your business is worth today
- You're considering succession, exit or fundraising in the next 1 to 3 years
- You're weighing up a Growth Share or EMI scheme and want a feasibility view first
- You want a specialist view before approaching advisers, buyers or investors
- You'd like to track your company's value year on year as part of board reporting
Not right for you if...
- ×You need a report for HMRC (EMI, ERS, IHT400, restructuring)
- ×You're in active negotiations with a buyer, investor or shareholder
- ×You need a valuation for a court, matrimonial or shareholder dispute
- ×You need a fully documented report you can share with third parties
- ×A regulator, funder or auditor requires formal valuation evidence
A specialist view, before you commit
We confirm the fixed fee in writing, agree the scope, then deliver a concise, confidential view of value you can act on.
What's included
Everything you need to have an informed conversation - nothing you don't.
Important limits. The Strategic Value Review is not suitable for HMRC submissions, legal proceedings, share sales, option grants or any third-party reliance. When those are required, we move you to the appropriate Core Valuation or Business Sales engagement.
Our approach
We apply the valuation methodology most appropriate to your business - typically a combination of earnings multiples calibrated to UK listed comparables (FTSE AIM, sector indices) and recent UK SME transaction evidence, cross-checked against adjusted net asset value where the balance sheet materially affects value.
Where relevant, we also consider a light discounted cash flow view, sector-specific rules of thumb and, for shareholdings that would carry them, appropriate discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability. The output is a defensible value range - not a single misleading point estimate.
The Strategic Value Review is a focused engagement, not a full valuation report. It is intended to inform your thinking and support a decision. If you later need a fully documented valuation for HMRC, a transaction or a shareholder process, the Review gives you a strong analytical starting point and reduces the scope - and fee - of the subsequent full report.
Optival provides independent valuation advice. We are not a regulated tax adviser and do not enter into agreements with HMRC on a company's behalf.
Get an indicative valuation in 2 business days
Share the essentials and a senior valuer will confirm scope, fee (from £950, credited against a full valuation within 3 months) and next steps.
- Response from a senior valuer within 4 business hours
- No obligation - scoping call and fixed-fee quote
- Independent, HMRC-aware methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Strategic Value Review.
When you need more than an indication
Full written reports for HMRC, transactions and shareholder events.
Shareholder Valuation
Buy out a partner, transfer shares or document value for a shareholder event.
Learn moreEMI Valuation
Grant HMRC-aware share options to your team with a defensible VAL231.
Learn moreBusiness Sales
Anchor your asking price and test buyer offers before going to market.
Learn moreCurious to know what your business is worth?
Request a Strategic Value Review from £950. We confirm the scope and fixed fee in writing, then deliver a concise, confidential view of value within 2 business days. No transaction required.
Request a Value Review