This meeting is ONLY open to members of The FENG.

Topic: The UK Problematic Exit Market, Founders, Private Equity, LSE, Tools and Mindsets

Speaker: Paul Howarth, CFO, CFO + Team (RTNA Group)

 Presentation:

1. UK Private Equity Market – Since 2020

Record deal volumes in 2021, reset in 2022–23, and a more selective, value-focused market in 2024–26. Increased scrutiny on cash, resilience, ESG and management depth across the United Kingdom mid-market.

2. Exit-Ready Tools – Choose What Buyers Use

Plenty of tools exist — use the ones buyers recognise and trust.

3. Additional Skills CFOs Need to Serve Founders Well

4. Networking & Outreach – Finding Founders Who Need You

5. Founders – Exit or Smart Stage 4?

6. Big Is Beautiful with Buyers

Speaker's Bio:

Paul Howarth BSc ACA is an ICAEW-qualified CFO and Non-Executive Director (x2) with over 30 years’ board experience across PLC, private equity and founder-led businesses. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and FENG, he has supported multiple UK exit attempts since 2020 and is currently advising on live transactions, M&A and governance. He serves as Audit & Remuneration Committee Chair at Quantum Blockchain Technologies plc and is commencing a NED role with global mining investors. Paul is increasingly recognised for his insight into founder behaviour and disciplined exit planning. The commercial exit-focused CFO community he founded has quickly grown to 65-plus members and is set to reach 1,000 this year.