The number of UK entrepreneurs choosing to sell rather than expand has reached its highest point in eight years.

According to the latest analysis of UK Companies House data commissioned by wealth management firm Rathbones and conducted by Beauhurst, the number of UK entrepreneurs choosing to "sell their companies rather than scale them up" has hit an eight-year high. This reflects a growing number of UK business founders beginning to question whether the risks taken and effort invested in business expansion can still deliver equivalent returns. Total transactions in 2025: 5,774 businesses were sold, slightly higher than 5,684 in 2024, and a sharp increase of 70% compared with 2018.